{Howbeit} (mentoi). See  4:27  for this compound particle
(men, toi), by way of exception, but yet. {Spake} (elalei).
Imperfect active of lale(935c), "was speaking," picturing the
whispering or secret talk ({no man openly}, oudeis parr(8873)i(8369)).
Best MSS. do not have en here with parr(8873)i(8369) (locative or
instrumental case of manner) as in  7:26  10:24  11:54 , but en
genuine in  7:4  Col 2:15 . This adverbial use of parr(8873)i(8369) is
common enough ( Mr 8:37 ). {For fear of the Jews} (dia ton
phobon t(936e) Ioudai(936e)). Objective genitive. The crowds really
feared the Jewish leaders and evidently did not wish to involve
Jesus or themselves. See the same phrase and attitude on the part
of the disciples in  19:38  20:19 .