John 8:20

‘These words he spoke in the treasury as he taught in the Temple, and no man arrested him because his hour was not yet come.'

These words were spoken ‘in the treasury', that is in the Court of the Women, (which was outside the raised court of Israel where only men could go), where there were thirteen trumpet shaped boxes placed there to receive offerings. Once more the author indicates his total familiarity with the Temple.

These thirteen money boxes all had their allotted offering. Into the first two were dropped the half shekels which every Jew had to pay towards the upkeep of the Temple. Into the third and fourth were dropped sums which would purchase the two pigeons which a woman had to offer for her purification after the birth of a child (Leviticus 12:8). Into the fifth were put contributions towards the cost of the wood which was needed to keep the altar fire alight. Into the sixth were dropped contributions towards the cost of the incense which was used at the Temple services. Into the seventh went contributions towards the upkeep of the golden vessels which were used at these services. Sometimes a man or a family would set apart a certain sum to make a guilt-offering or thank-offering, and into the remaining six trumpets people dropped any money which remained after such an offering had been made, or anything extra which they wished to offer.

‘No man arrested him.' This brings out the constant threat of arrest that Jesus was under. All that He said was in the light of that threat. Yet they seemed powerless to act against Him. This was because God was in control. His hour, the hour of His death, had not yet come. His Oneness with His Father also ensured His safety until that hour.