Bible Strands
Matthew 26:5
“But not during the feast,” they said, “or there may be a riot among the people.”
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — The conspirators speaking to one another state this before Jesus arrives in Bethany at Simon the Leper’s home. They are coordinating a covert arrest and execution while weighing the timing against the ongoing festival.
The words — ἑορτῆς (heortēs) denotes the “feast,” and μὴ (mē) functions as a prohibitive “not” introducing the fear of a riot. ἔλεγον (elegon) marks the ongoing action of “they were saying.”
The thread — The text states that the conspirators fear a riot among the people during the feast, a concern that reappears when Pilate faces an outbreak in Matthew 27:24 and mirrors the earlier hesitation over John the Baptist in Matthew 14:5 and 21:26.
Why it lands — The text states that human planning is bounded by the threat of public unrest, requiring the reader to observe how political calculation proceeds without divine oversight. It demands recognition that strategy yields to crowd dynamics.
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 they said, Not on the feast day, lest there be an uproar among the people.
Cross-references
- Matthew 27:24 When Pilate saw that he was accomplishing nothing, but that instead a riot was breaking out, he took water and washed his hands before the crowd. “I am innocent of this man’s blood,” he said. “You bear the responsibility.”
- Matthew 14:5 Although Herod wanted to kill John, he was afraid of the people, because they regarded John as a prophet.
- Matthew 21:26 But if we say, ‘From men,’ we are afraid of the people, for they all regard John as a prophet.”
- Proverbs 19:21 Many plans are in a man’s heart, but the purpose of the LORD will prevail.
- Proverbs 21:30 There is no wisdom, no understanding, no counsel that can prevail against the LORD.
- Isaiah 46:10 I declare the end from the beginning, and from ancient times what is still to come. I say, ‘My purpose will stand, and all My good pleasure I will accomplish.’
- Mark 14:2 “But not during the feast,” they said, “or there may be a riot among the people.”
- Mark 14:12 On the first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread, when the Passover lamb was to be sacrificed, Jesus’ disciples asked Him, “Where do You want us to prepare for You to eat the Passover?”
- Mark 14:27 Then Jesus said to them, “You will all fall away, for it is written: ‘I will strike the Shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered.’
- Psalms 76:10 Even the wrath of man shall praise You; with the survivors of wrath You will clothe Yourself.