There is no doubt that popularity, based on true goodness, is difficult to quench.  Indeed, why should anybody want to?  Word soon spread that Jesus had raised Lazarus from the dead (John 12:9).  It was the talk of Jerusalem as pilgrims came for the Passover festival.  Even those who had never met Jesus or Lazarus were excited to hear the news that they had heard from eyewitnesses; and that encouraged many more people to seek Jesus.
 
On the other hand, the Pharisees were frustrated, because their plot to get rid of Jesus was failing.  For the second time, as the Pharisees met together, they recognised that they had failed to neutralise Jesus (John 11:47-48) and could not see how to fulfil their evil ambition.  If they tried to arrest Jesus in public, there would be a protest against the religious leaders.  If that happened, the Roman army would have to intervene and could give the Romans the excuse they wanted to take power away from the Temple and its leaders (John 11:48).  The genuine goodness of Jesus had gone straight to people's hearts: but those who hated Him (because they loved themselves more – John 12:43) could only see their own wicked plans frustrated.
 
There is something infectious about following Jesus.  The joy and freedom we experience should overflow, so that it becomes natural to talk about the Saviour who has given us new life.  When we do, some people will want to find out for themselves who Jesus is and what He is like.  Of course, there will always be Jesus-haters who want people to stop talking about the Lord (John 15:18-21).  They would much prefer Christians to 'do their religion privately'.  But we cannot!  Public testimony and personal witness are integral to true Christianity.  

Because Jesus is the truth, speaking about Him is the best way to confront lies which seek to diminish Him.  And because He is the Saviour of the world, it would be so negligent for us to know how people can be saved, but refuse to tell them (Acts 4:18-20).  The more we tell them, the more some people will hate us, but, at the same time, more people will also be saved.  Fear of rejection was never an issue for Jesus; nor should it be for us.  May the Lord give us holy courage to speak up for Jesus.