For there is no man that does anything in secret, when he himself seeks to be known openly. If you do these things, show yourself to the world.
All Commentaries on John 7:4 Go To John 7
Cornelius a Lapide
AD 1637
For no man doeth anything in secret and he himself seeketh to be known openly. Εν παζζησία properly means to be at liberty; but here, as opposed to "secretly," it means "openly" (see John 5:13; John 16:25, John 16:29; John 18:20; and S. Mark 8:32). So Maldonatus an others.
If Thou doest this, manifest Thyself to the world. "If" does not imply doubt, but means assertion, and is the same as "since." Since Thou doest such great and wondrous works in Galilee, do the same in Jerusalem, that there all Israel, and from them the whole world, may know who Thou art, and what dignity, power, and virtue Thou hast received from the Father. For as Raphael saith, "It is goo d to keep close the secret of a king, but it is honourable to reveal and make known the works of God" ( Tobit 12:7). They make the praise of Christ and the glory of God a cloke for their own covetousness and ambition: for they wished that as Christ became renowned by the fame of His miracles, they as His kinsman might become renowned, and honoured by the people, and be loaded with gifts: and might, moreover, secure the favour of the rulers and priests, and then, as they hoped, rise to high offices in the state. Just as when one is made Pope, or Cardinal, or Bishop, his kinsfolk at once flock about him, to gain through him honours and wealth. For "all seek their own, not the things of Jesus Christ."
