Mark 12:12

KJV

And they sought to lay hold on him, but feared the people: for they knew that he had spoken the parable against them: and they left him, and went their way.

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G2532} they sought {G2212} to lay hold {G2902} on him {G846}, but {G2532} feared {G5399} the people {G3793}: for {G1063} they knew {G1097} that {G3754} he had spoken {G2036} the parable {G3850} against {G4314} them {G846}: and {G2532} they left {G863} him {G846}, and went their way {G565}.

Complete Jewish Bible

They set about to arrest him, for they recognized that he had told the parable with reference to themselves. But they were afraid of the crowd, so they left him and went away.

Berean Standard Bible

At this, the leaders sought to arrest Jesus, for they knew that He had spoken this parable against them. But fearing the crowd, they left Him and went away.

American Standard Version

And they sought to lay hold on him; and they feared the multitude; for they perceived that he spake the parable against them: and they left him, and went away.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Mark 12:12 records the immediate and intense reaction of the chief priests, scribes, and elders to Jesus' Parable of the Wicked Vinedressers. Having understood that the parable was a direct indictment of their rejection of God's messengers and, ultimately, His Son, they desired to seize Jesus. However, their fear of the general populace, who held Jesus in high regard, restrained them from acting on their malicious intent, leading them to temporarily withdraw.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse serves as the climax and immediate aftermath of Jesus' powerful [Parable of the Wicked Vinedressers](/mark/12-1-11 "Mark 12:1-11 - The Parable of the Wicked Vinedressers"). Preceding this, Jesus had entered Jerusalem triumphantly, cleansed the temple, and engaged in a series of confrontations with the religious authorities over His authority (see [Mark 11:27-33](/mark/11-27-33 "Mark 11:27-33 - Jesus' Authority Questioned")). The parable itself, found in [Mark 12:1-11](/mark/12-1-11 "Mark 12:1-11 - The Parable of the Wicked Vinedressers"), vividly portrays God as a vineyard owner, Israel as the vineyard, and the prophets as servants repeatedly rejected and killed by the "wicked vinedressers"—the very religious leaders Jesus was addressing. The parable culminates in the owner sending his beloved son, who is also killed, leading to the vineyard being given to others. The leaders' reaction in [Mark 12:12](/mark/12-12 "Mark 12:12 - Leaders' Reaction to the Parable") confirms their self-identification with the wicked vinedressers and their understanding of Jesus' identity as the Son.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The setting is Jerusalem during the Passover week, a time when the city was teeming with pilgrims, making public order a significant concern for both Roman authorities and Jewish leaders. The chief priests, scribes, and elders constituted the Sanhedrin, the supreme Jewish governing council, and held significant religious and political power. Their authority was intertwined with maintaining social stability and their standing with the Roman occupiers. Public opinion, especially among the large crowds gathered for the festival, was a crucial factor in their decisions. Jesus' growing popularity and His direct challenges to their authority posed a direct threat to their status quo. The concept of a "parable" (Greek: _parabolḗ_) was a common teaching method, but Jesus often used them to reveal truth to those with open hearts and to conceal it from those who resisted, though in this instance, the message was unmistakably clear to His adversaries.
* **Key Themes:** The immediate context of [Mark 12](/mark/12 "Mark 12 - Jesus Confronts Religious Leaders") highlights several critical themes. First, the **Rejection of Divine Authority** is central, as the religious leaders' desire to seize Jesus demonstrates their continued resistance to God's ultimate messenger, the Son, mirroring the historical rejection of prophets (cf. [Luke 13:34](/luke/13-34 "Luke 13:34 - Lament over Jerusalem")). Second, the theme of **Fear of Man Over God** is starkly evident; despite their clear understanding of Jesus' truth, their primary concern was not repentance but self-preservation and public opinion, prioritizing the fear of "the people" over the fear of God (cf. [Proverbs 29:25](/proverbs/29-25 "Proverbs 29:25 - The Fear of Man")). Third, the **Clarity of Jesus' Message** is emphasized, as the leaders "knew that he had spoken the parable against them," revealing that Jesus' parables, while sometimes veiled, could be strikingly clear, especially to those who were the direct subject of His divine critique. Finally, the verse underscores **Divine Judgment and Human Accountability**, as the leaders' reaction confirms their understanding of Jesus' identity and message, which they consciously chose to reject, thereby sealing their own condemnation.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **sought (Greek, _zētéō'_):** This verb, from 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 negative intent, a determined effort to find a way to apprehend Jesus, suggesting a malicious plotting against Him.
* **feared (Greek, _phobéō'_):** Derived from G5399, this word means "to frighten, i.e. (passively) to be alarmed; by analogy, to be in awe of, i.e. revere." Here, it signifies a genuine apprehension or dread of the potential consequences of their actions, specifically the reaction of the crowd, rather than a reverential awe of God.
* **knew (Greek, _ginṓskō'_):** From G1097, this verb means "to 'know' (absolutely) in a great variety of applications and with many implications... to be aware (of), feel, (have) know(-ledge), perceived, be resolved, can speak, be sure, understand." This indicates a clear, undeniable comprehension on the part of the religious leaders that Jesus' parable was aimed directly at them and their corrupt practices.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And they sought to lay hold on him,"**: This clause reveals the immediate and hostile intent of the religious leaders (chief priests, scribes, and elders) after hearing the parable. The phrase "sought to lay hold on him" (Greek: _ezētoun kratēsai auton_) indicates a deliberate and active desire to seize or arrest Jesus, demonstrating their opposition to His message and person. Their goal was to silence Him and neutralize His growing influence.
* **"but feared the people:"**: This part introduces a crucial counteracting force to their hostile intent. Despite their desire to apprehend Jesus, they were restrained by their "fear of the people" (Greek: _ephobounto ton ochlon_). This fear was not a moral or spiritual one, but a pragmatic concern for public opinion and the potential for a riot or loss of popular support, which could jeopardize their standing with both the Jewish populace and the Roman authorities.
* **"for they knew that he had spoken the parable against them:"**: This explanatory clause provides the reason for their hostile intent. The leaders "knew" (Greek: _egnōsan_) with certainty that Jesus' Parable of the Wicked Vinedressers was a direct indictment of their own actions, their historical rejection of God's prophets, and their impending rejection of Jesus, the Son. Their understanding was clear, leaving no room for misinterpretation of Jesus' critique.
* **"and they left him, and went their way."**: This final clause describes the immediate outcome of the tension between their desire to seize Jesus and their fear of the crowd. Temporarily deterred, they abandoned their immediate plan to arrest Him and departed. This withdrawal, however, was not a sign of repentance but a strategic retreat, indicating a delay in their malicious intentions rather than a change of heart.

#### Literary Devices
Mark 12:12 effectively employs several literary devices to convey its powerful message. **Contrast** is prominent, highlighting the tension between the leaders' internal desire to seize Jesus and their external restraint due to fear of the people. This opposition underscores their prioritization of human approval over divine truth. **Irony** is also present; the very individuals who should have been the spiritual guides of Israel, and who clearly understood Jesus' prophetic critique, responded not with repentance but with further hardened opposition, albeit temporarily suppressed. The fact that they "knew" the parable was against them but still sought to harm Jesus is deeply ironic, revealing their spiritual blindness despite intellectual comprehension. Finally, the verse contains an element of **Foreshadowing**, as the leaders' "sought to lay hold on him" anticipates Jesus' eventual arrest and crucifixion, which would indeed be carried out by these same authorities, albeit at a later, more opportune moment.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Mark 12:12 powerfully illustrates the profound spiritual blindness and hardened hearts of the religious leaders, who, despite clearly understanding Jesus' divine authority and the direct indictment of His parable, chose self-preservation and fear of man over repentance and submission to God. Their recognition that Jesus "had spoken the parable against them" underscores their accountability; they were not ignorant of His message or identity. This verse highlights the tragic reality that intellectual understanding of truth does not automatically lead to spiritual transformation, especially when personal power, reputation, and fear override genuine faith. It serves as a stark warning against rejecting divine revelation, particularly when it exposes personal sin or challenges entrenched systems of authority.

* [Proverbs 29:25](/proverbs/29-25 "Proverbs 29:25 - The Fear of Man Lays a Snare")
* [John 9:39-41](/john/9-39-41 "John 9:39-41 - Jesus' Judgment on Spiritual Blindness")
* [Matthew 21:45-46](/matthew/21-45-46 "Matthew 21:45-46 - The Chief Priests and Pharisees Understand the Parable")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Mark 12:12 offers a profound mirror for self-reflection, challenging us to examine our own responses to God's truth. The religious leaders' fear of the people, which superseded their recognition of Jesus' authority, is a common human failing. How often do we, too, understand what God's Word requires of us, or what truth it reveals about our own lives, yet hesitate to act because of fear—fear of disapproval, fear of consequences, fear of discomfort, or fear of losing status? This passage calls us to prioritize the fear of God above all other fears, recognizing that true wisdom and security come from obeying Him, regardless of external pressures. It reminds us that intellectual assent to truth is insufficient; genuine faith demands a transformed heart that leads to obedient action, even when it is costly.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What truths has God revealed to you that you have hesitated to act upon due to fear of others' opinions or potential negative consequences?**
* **In what areas of your life might you be prioritizing the approval of people over the will of God?**
* **How can cultivating a deeper "fear of the Lord" (reverence and awe) help you overcome the "fear of man"?**
* **What steps can you take this week to respond to a known truth from God's Word, even if it feels uncomfortable or challenging?**

### FAQ

**Why did the religious leaders fear the people more than they feared Jesus or God?**

Answer: The religious leaders, particularly the chief priests and elders, were deeply concerned with maintaining their power, authority, and social standing within Jewish society, as well as their relationship with the Roman authorities. A public uprising or loss of popular support could jeopardize their positions and even their lives. While they understood Jesus' claims and the implications of His parable, their immediate, pragmatic concern was for their earthly power and reputation. They feared the unpredictable nature of the crowds and the potential for a riot or public outcry if they were to arrest Jesus openly. This fear of man (G3793 - _óchlos_) often overshadowed any spiritual fear or reverence for God (G5399 - _phobéō_) or His Son, demonstrating a misplaced priority that ultimately led to their spiritual downfall.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Mark 12:12, though depicting the rejection of Jesus, paradoxically points to His ultimate fulfillment as the rejected yet triumphant Messiah. The religious leaders' desire to "lay hold on him" and their eventual success in doing so (cf. [Mark 14:43-46](/mark/14-43-46 "Mark 14:43-46 - Jesus' Arrest")) directly fulfills the prophetic narrative of the suffering servant (cf. [Isaiah 53:3-7](/isaiah/53-3-7 "Isaiah 53:3-7 - The Suffering Servant")), who was "despised and rejected by mankind." Their fear of the people, which delayed His arrest, allowed Jesus to complete His public ministry, culminating in His final teachings and the institution of the Last Supper. The leaders' rejection of Jesus, the "beloved Son" of the vineyard owner, was the ultimate act of rebellion against God, yet it was precisely through this rejection and His subsequent crucifixion that God's plan of salvation was accomplished. Jesus, the "stone the builders rejected," became the "cornerstone" (as alluded to in [Mark 12:10-11](/mark/12-10-11 "Mark 12:10-11 - The Rejected Cornerstone")), establishing a new covenant and building His church upon Himself, a spiritual house not made with hands (cf. [Ephesians 2:19-22](/ephesians/2-19-22 "Ephesians 2:19-22 - Christ the Cornerstone")). Thus, their malicious intent, though rooted in sin, served God's sovereign purpose to bring about the redemption of humanity through the sacrifice of His Son.

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

Mark 11:18

And the scribes and chief priests heard [it], and sought how they might destroy him: for they feared him, because all the people was astonished at his doctrine.

John 7:30

Then they sought to take him: but no man laid hands on him, because his hour was not yet come.

Mark 11:32

But if we shall say, Of men; they feared the people: for all [men] counted John, that he was a prophet indeed.

Matthew 22:22

When they had heard [these words], they marvelled, and left him, and went their way.

John 7:25

Then said some of them of Jerusalem, Is not this he, whom they seek to kill?

John 7:44

And some of them would have taken him; but no man laid hands on him.

2 Samuel 12:7

And Nathan said to David, Thou [art] the man. Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, I anointed thee king over Israel, and I delivered thee out of the hand of Saul;