Matthew 12:14

But the Pharisees went out and plotted how they might kill Jesus.

Berean Standard Bible

Study note

Setting — After Jesus restores the man’s withered hand, the Pharisees leave the immediate scene and convene to determine a course of action against Him.

The words — Ἐξελθόντες (Exelthontes) means "having gone out," and ἔλαβον συμβούλιον (elabon sumboulion) literally renders "held a counsel" or "took a plot."

The thread — This decision marks a recorded turning point in Mark 3:6, Luke 6:11, and John 11:53, where religious leaders formally resolve to eliminate Jesus.

Why it lands — The text states that opposition to Jesus originated in deliberate, organized resistance rather than mere misunderstanding, requiring readers to account for the concrete cost of confronting established religious authority.

Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.

The Greek words

ἘξελθόντεςExelthontesHaving gone out δὲdenow οἱhoithe ΦαρισαῖοιPharisaioiPharisees συμβούλιονsumbouliona counsel ἔλαβονelabonheld κατ᾽kat᾽against αὐτοῦautouHim ὅπωςhopōshow αὐτὸνautonHim ἀπολέσωσιν.¶apolesōsinthey may destroy.

King James Version

Then the Pharisees went out, and held a council against him, how they might destroy him.

Cross-references

John 11:53 So from that day on they plotted to kill Him.
Mark 3:6 At this, the Pharisees went out and began plotting with the Herodians how they might kill Jesus.
Luke 6:11 But the scribes and Pharisees were filled with rage and began to discuss with one another what they might do to Jesus.
John 5:18 Because of this, the Jews tried all the harder to kill Him. Not only was He breaking the Sabbath, but He was even calling God His own Father, making Himself equal with God.
John 10:39 At this, they tried again to seize Him, but He escaped their grasp.
Matthew 26:4 and they conspired to arrest Jesus covertly and kill Him.
Matthew 27:1 When morning came, all the chief priests and elders of the people conspired against Jesus to put Him to death.
John 11:57 But the chief priests and Pharisees had given orders that anyone who knew where He was must report it, so that they could arrest Him.