Bible Strands
Matthew 21:46
Although they wanted to arrest Him, they were afraid of the crowds, because the people regarded Him as a prophet.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The chief priests and Pharisees, having realized Jesus’ parables condemned them, intend to seize Him but pause their action. Their restraint occurs in Jerusalem where the surrounding crowds view Him as a prophet.
The words — ζητοῦντες (zētountes) means “seeking” or “wanting to,” while κρατῆσαι (kratēsai) literally means “to lay hold of.” These verbs establish the leaders’ active intent against Jesus before fear interrupts it.
The thread — This conflict between official hostility and popular reverence appears in Matthew 21:11 and Matthew 21:26, where crowd opinion limits religious authority. The pattern of confronting leaders through prophetic declaration also runs in 2 Samuel 12:7.
Why it lands — The text records that political and religious power can be blocked by public perception. It requires the reader to acknowledge how fear of crowd reaction overrides a plotted arrest.
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
King James Version
But when they sought to lay hands on him, they feared the multitude, because they took him for a prophet.
Cross-references
- Matthew 21:11 The crowds replied, “This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee.”
- Matthew 21:26 But if we say, ‘From men,’ we are afraid of the people, for they all regard John as a prophet.”
- 2 Samuel 12:7 Then Nathan said to David, “You are that man! This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: ‘I anointed you king over Israel, and I delivered you from the hand of Saul.
- Proverbs 9:7 He who corrects a mocker brings shame on himself; he who rebukes a wicked man taints himself.
- Isaiah 29:1 Woe to you, O Ariel, the city of Ariel where David camped! Year upon year let your festivals recur.
- Luke 7:16 A sense of awe swept over all of them, and they glorified God. “A great prophet has appeared among us!” they said. “God has visited His people!”
- Luke 7:39 When the Pharisee who had invited Jesus saw this, he said to himself, “If this man were a prophet, He would know who this is and what kind of woman is touching Him—for she is a sinner!”
- John 7:7 The world cannot hate you, but it hates Me, because I testify that its works are evil.
- John 7:40 On hearing these words, some of the people said, “This is truly the Prophet.”
- Acts 2:22 Men of Israel, listen to this message: Jesus of Nazareth was a man certified by God to you by miracles, wonders, and signs, which God did among you through Him, as you yourselves know.