Luke 22:2

KJV

And the chief priests and scribes sought how they might kill him; for they feared the people.

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G2532} the chief priests {G749} and {G2532} scribes {G1122} sought {G2212} how {G4459} they might kill {G337} him {G846}; for {G1063} they feared {G5399} the people {G2992}.

Complete Jewish Bible

and the head cohanim and the Torah-teachers began trying to find some way to get rid of Yeshua, because they were afraid of the people.

Berean Standard Bible

and the chief priests and scribes were looking for a way to put Jesus to death; for they feared the people.

American Standard Version

And the chief priests and the scribes sought how they might put him to death; for they feared the people.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Luke 22:2 reveals the sinister plot of the Jewish religious authorities—the chief priests and scribes—to assassinate Jesus. Their malicious intent was driven not by a pursuit of justice or truth, but by a pragmatic fear of the populace, whose widespread admiration for Jesus made an overt arrest and execution politically perilous and potentially riot-inducing, thus necessitating a clandestine approach.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse immediately follows the introduction of the [Feast of Unleavened Bread, called the Passover](/luke/22-1 "Luke 22:1 - The Passover Approaches"), setting a stark and unsettling contrast. As the holiest time of the Jewish year approaches, a period meant for remembrance of God's deliverance, the religious leaders are actively conspiring to commit the ultimate act of betrayal and murder. This verse serves as the narrative catalyst, initiating the detailed account of Jesus' passion, leading directly into Judas Iscariot's betrayal in [Luke 22:3-6](/luke/22-3-6 "Luke 22:3-6 - Judas Agrees to Betray Jesus") and culminating in Jesus' arrest, trial, and crucifixion. It highlights the escalating tension and the deep-seated opposition Jesus faced from the very institutions meant to guide Israel spiritually.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The "chief priests and scribes" represent the powerful and influential members of the Sanhedrin, the supreme Jewish governing council. The chief priests were primarily Sadducees, controlling the Temple and its finances, while the scribes were often Pharisees, experts in the Mosaic Law. Both groups felt their authority, traditions, and interpretation of the Law directly challenged by Jesus' teachings, miracles, and claims of divine authority. Jerusalem, especially during Passover, swelled with hundreds of thousands of pilgrims, creating a volatile environment. Any public disturbance could invite severe Roman intervention, threatening the delicate balance of power the Jewish leadership maintained under Roman occupation. Their fear of "the people" (the general populace, many of whom regarded Jesus as a prophet or even the Messiah) was a genuine concern for maintaining civil order and their own privileged positions.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully introduces several pivotal themes that permeate the passion narrative. Firstly, it underscores the theme of **human malice and opposition to divine truth**. The leaders' actions are not a misunderstanding but a deliberate, calculated attempt to eliminate Jesus. Secondly, it highlights the **irony of human fear and its consequences**. Their fear of the people dictated their method, yet their actions ultimately served God's sovereign plan for redemption, demonstrating the theme of **divine sovereignty overriding human agency**. Thirdly, it sets the stage for the **ultimate sacrifice**, where human wickedness unwittingly facilitates God's redemptive purpose, echoing the broader biblical narrative of God working through imperfect, even sinful, human choices to achieve His perfect will, as seen in [Acts 4:27-28](/acts/4-27-28 "Acts 4:27-28 - God's Plan and Human Opposition").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **sought (Greek, _zētéō'_):** This verb, G2212, means "to seek (literally or figuratively); specially, (by Hebraism) to worship (God), or (in a bad sense) to plot (against life)." In this context, it clearly denotes a deliberate, active, and persistent plotting, indicating a malevolent intent to find a way to achieve their goal. The imperfect tense in the original Greek (ἐζήτουν) suggests an ongoing or repeated action—they were continually seeking.
* **kill (Greek, _anairéō'_):** This verb, G337, means "to take up, i.e. adopt; by implication, to take away (violently), i.e. abolish, murder." The term implies a violent and definitive removal, emphasizing the finality and brutality of their desired outcome. It is not merely to incapacitate or imprison, but to utterly destroy Jesus' life.
* **feared (Greek, _phobéō'_):** This verb, G5399, means "to frighten, i.e. (passively) to be alarmed; by analogy, to be in awe of, i.e. revere." Here, it signifies a deep apprehension or dread concerning the reaction of the populace. Their fear was not a reverent awe, but a self-preserving alarm that dictated their strategy, compelling them to seek a covert method rather than an open confrontation.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And the chief priests and scribes":** This phrase identifies the primary antagonists. The "chief priests" (ἀρχιερεῖς) were the heads of the priestly families, including the high priest, who held significant religious and political power. The "scribes" (γραμματεῖς) were experts in Jewish law, often associated with the Pharisees, and held great influence over public opinion. Together, they represent the highest echelons of Jewish authority in Jerusalem, united in their opposition to Jesus.
* **"sought how they might kill him;":** This clause reveals their ultimate objective: Jesus' death. The phrase "sought how" (ἐζήτουν τὸ πῶς) emphasizes their strategic deliberation and planning. They were not merely wishing for His death but actively devising a method to execute it, highlighting their calculated malice and determination. The use of the imperfect tense for "sought" (ἐζήτουν) suggests a continuous or repeated effort, indicating persistent plotting.
* **"for they feared the people.":** This final clause provides the crucial motivation for their clandestine approach. Their fear (ἐφοβοῦντο) was not of God, nor of justice, but of "the people" (τὸν λαόν)—the general populace or crowd. Jesus had garnered significant popular support, and the leaders recognized that an open arrest or execution could provoke a riot, which would not only undermine their authority but also risk severe repercussions from the Roman authorities, who maintained peace through brutal efficiency. This fear dictated their need for a discreet and politically expedient solution.

#### Literary Devices
Luke's concise statement employs several effective literary devices. **Irony** is prominent, as the religious leaders, custodians of God's law and preparing for a sacred feast celebrating deliverance, are consumed by a murderous plot. Their actions stand in stark contrast to their purported spiritual role. The verse also utilizes **Foreshadowing**, immediately signaling the tragic trajectory of Jesus' final days and His impending crucifixion. Furthermore, there is a clear **Antithesis** between the leaders' fear of the people and Jesus' fearless resolve to fulfill His divine mission. The phrase "sought how they might kill him" implies **Conspiracy**, highlighting the clandestine and premeditated nature of their malevolent intent, driven by their pragmatic fear rather than any genuine legal or moral justification.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Luke 22:2 serves as a stark reminder of humanity's capacity for profound wickedness, even among those entrusted with spiritual leadership. The religious authorities, driven by fear of losing their power and status, sought to eliminate the very source of truth and life. Yet, this verse simultaneously underscores the overarching theme of divine sovereignty. While human agents plot with malicious intent, their actions, however wicked, are ultimately woven into God's larger redemptive plan. The leaders' fear of the people, ironically, pushed them towards a clandestine arrest and trial, a path that ultimately led to the public crucifixion that God had foreordained for the salvation of humanity. This tension between human responsibility and divine purpose is a recurring motif throughout Scripture, demonstrating that even the darkest human deeds cannot thwart God's ultimate will.

* [John 11:47-50](/john/11-47-50 "John 11:47-50 - Caiaphas' Prophecy and the Plot to Kill Jesus")
* [Acts 2:23](/acts/2-23 "Acts 2:23 - Peter's Sermon on God's Foreknowledge")
* [Proverbs 29:25](/proverbs/29-25 "Proverbs 29:25 - The Fear of Man Is a Snare")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
This verse offers a sobering reflection on the nature of opposition to Christ and the human heart's propensity to prioritize self-preservation over truth and righteousness. The religious leaders' fear of the people, rather than a fear of God, drove their murderous plot. For us today, this serves as a powerful warning against allowing the fear of man, public opinion, or the potential loss of status to dictate our actions, especially when it compromises our commitment to Christ and His truth. It challenges us to examine our own motivations: are we seeking to please God or people? Furthermore, witnessing God's sovereignty at play, even amidst such profound human evil, provides immense comfort. We are reminded that no human conspiracy, no matter how powerful or malicious, can ultimately thwart God's perfect plan. This should encourage us to trust in God's control, even when facing seemingly overwhelming opposition or injustice, knowing that He can use even the darkest circumstances to bring about His glorious purposes.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What fears in my own life might be preventing me from fully following God's will or speaking His truth?**
* **How does this verse challenge my understanding of human responsibility versus divine sovereignty?**
* **In what ways might I be tempted to compromise my convictions due to the "fear of people" or societal pressure?**
* **How can I cultivate a greater "fear of the Lord" that outweighs any fear of man?**

### FAQ
**Why were the chief priests and scribes so determined to kill Jesus?**

Answer: Their determination stemmed from a complex mix of theological, political, and personal motivations. Theologically, they viewed Jesus as a blasphemer for claiming divine authority and challenging their interpretations of the Law and traditions. Politically, His growing popularity and claims to messiahship threatened to destabilize the delicate balance of power under Roman occupation, potentially provoking a Roman crackdown that could cost them their authority and "place and nation" ([John 11:48](/john/11-48 "John 11:48 - The Leaders' Fear of Rome")). Personally, they resented His exposure of their hypocrisy and His challenge to their spiritual authority, leading to deep-seated envy and hatred ([Matthew 27:18](/matthew/27-18 "Matthew 27:18 - Pilate's Awareness of Envy")).

**Why did they fear the people, and how did this fear influence their plan?**

Answer: The chief priests and scribes feared the people because Jesus had a significant and devoted following, especially among the common folk who were drawn to His teachings, miracles, and compassion. An open arrest or execution during the crowded Passover festival could easily incite a riot or popular uprising ([Matthew 21:46](/matthew/21-46 "Matthew 21:46 - The Leaders Feared the Crowd")). Such civil unrest would inevitably draw the swift and brutal intervention of the Roman authorities, jeopardizing the leaders' privileged positions and potentially leading to the loss of their limited self-governance. This fear compelled them to seek a clandestine method of arrest and execution, aiming for a discreet plot rather than a public confrontation, as seen when they later sought Judas's help to betray Jesus away from the crowd ([Luke 22:6](/luke/22-6 "Luke 22:6 - Judas Agrees to Betray Jesus")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Luke 22:2, detailing the chief priests' and scribes' plot to kill Jesus, finds its profound Christ-centered fulfillment in Jesus' willing submission to this very plan. Though driven by human malice and fear, their conspiracy unwittingly propelled Jesus toward His ultimate purpose as the [Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"). Jesus, the [Good Shepherd](/john/10-11 "John 10:11 - The Good Shepherd"), did not merely fall victim to a plot; He intentionally laid down His life, knowing that it was the only way to accomplish redemption ([John 10:17-18](/john/10-17-18 "John 10:17-18 - Jesus Lays Down His Life Willingly")). The very "killing" they sought to inflict became the means of salvation, as His death on the cross served as the [ransom for many](/mark/10-45 "Mark 10:45 - The Son of Man Came to Serve"). Thus, the sinister human plot, born of fear and hatred, was divinely orchestrated to fulfill the ancient prophecies of a suffering servant ([Isaiah 53](/isaiah/53 "Isaiah 53 - The Suffering Servant")), culminating in Christ's triumph over sin and death, offering eternal life to all who believe.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

John 11:47

Then gathered the chief priests and the Pharisees a council, and said, What do we? for this man doeth many miracles.

John 11:53

Then from that day forth they took counsel together for to put him to death.

John 11:57

Now both the chief priests and the Pharisees had given a commandment, that, if any man knew where he were, he should shew [it], that they might take him.

Matthew 26:3

Then assembled together the chief priests, and the scribes, and the elders of the people, unto the palace of the high priest, who was called Caiaphas,

Matthew 26:5

But they said, Not on the feast [day], lest there be an uproar among the people.

Matthew 21:45

And when the chief priests and Pharisees had heard his parables, they perceived that he spake of them.

Matthew 21:46

But when they sought to lay hands on him, they feared the multitude, because they took him for a prophet.