John 7:30

‘But no man laid his hands on him because his hour was not yet come’.

Their fear and hesitancy was all part of God’s plan. His hour (the hour of His death) was not yet come. Until God was ready they would not be able to touch Him. God can work through human vacillation to bring about His purposes.

‘His hour was not yet come.’ Compare John 8:20; John 12:27; John 13:1. The hour would gradually approach, and then finally came.