Matthew Poole and continuators on John 9:22

22 These words spake his Parents, because they feared the Jews , for the Jews had agreed already, that if any man did confess that he was Christ, he should be put out of the Synagogue .

The reason why his Parents answered so very warily, and avoided saying any thing to the Pharisees Third Question, which probably they could not do of their particular personal Knowledge was, That they were afraid of the Rulers of the Iews; Solomon saith, That the fear of man bringeth a snare; it is often a temptation to men, to deny the Truth, or at least, not to own, and confess it when God calls to them for a publick owning and confession of it; but nothing of that nature appeareth in this case; for it doth not appear that his Parents were present when Christ wrought this great Miracle; which if they were not, they were not obliged to tell the Pharisees what themselves had onely received by rumor and hearsay; So that their Answer seems but a prudential Answer, to avoid an Eminent danger.

For they were not ignorant of a Decree made by the Jewish Sanhedrim That if any did publickly say, or declare, That Iesus was Christ, he should be Excommunicated: for that is meant, by being put out of the Synagogue.

Marginal references: Chap. 7.13. and 12.42. & 19.38. Act. 5. 13.