9, 10. “Not openly” accompanied by a great retinue of followers; nor straightway through Samaria; but, through Pærea, after crossing the Jordan near Jericho. “But as it were in secret,” accompanied by only a few trusty friends, without any display; to avoid openly encountering the hostility of the Jewish rulers, who sought to compass His death. His ascent was not altogether “in secret,” but, “as IT WERE, in secret.” On the fourth day, He publicly appeared in the Temple.
John 7:9–10