Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary John 7:9

"And having said these things unto them, he abode [still] in Galilee." — John 7:9 (ASV)

Jesus did not plan to go immediately to Jerusalem; he would wait until “the right time.” His brothers may have intended to make a show of his arrival (cf. v.4), and Jesus wanted to avoid this. Therefore, his secret departure for Jerusalem was not an act of deception. It was an attempt to avoid unwelcome publicity. Jesus’ enemies were watching for him, obviously for the purpose of arresting him (cf. v.1).