<p>7:13 <i>Yet no one spoke openly about him for fear of the Jews</i>- Another theme of John is that belief in Jesus as Messiah and Lord must be openly stated. He records the examples of the healed blind man, Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimathea, who 'came out' for the Lord. The Greek word for &quot;openly&quot; is used around 30 times in the New Testament for the 'openness' of the Lord's witness and that of the disciples. It is a characteristic of those who believe they are living the eternal life and have been filled with the love and Spirit of the Father and Son. But it is fear of our image before others which stymies that boldness. The same word is used of how the Lord spoke openly or boldly (:26); seeking those who heard Him to likewise be open and bold in coming out for Him. Joseph of Arimathea is presented as a secret disciple who &quot;for fear of the Jews&quot; did not come out openly for the Lord (19:38 s.w.), and John uses the same term to describe how they the disciples were likewise living &quot;in fear of the Jews&quot; (20:19). It was the experience of the Lord's death and resurrection which results in the Acts record so often describing how they &quot;spoke openly&quot; of the Lord, now fearless of the Jews. The Lord's crucifixion and rising again should have a similar impact upon us.</p>