Mark 14:2

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

But {G1161} they said {G3004}, Not {G3361} on {G1722} the feast {G1859} day, lest {G3379} there be {G2071} an uproar {G2351} of the people {G2992}.

for they said, "Not during the festival, or the people will riot."

“But not during the feast,” they said, “or there may be a riot among the people.”

for they said, Not during the feast, lest haply there shall be a tumult of the people.

Context

Mark 14:2 provides a crucial glimpse into the plotting of the chief priests and scribes against Jesus. This verse immediately follows their decision to arrest and kill Jesus (Mark 14:1). "They" refers to these powerful Jewish religious leaders, who were actively seeking a way to eliminate Jesus. The critical phrase "Not on the feast [day]" refers to the upcoming Passover and Feast of Unleavened Bread, a time when Jerusalem would be crowded with pilgrims from all over, making any public disturbance highly undesirable. Their primary concern was "lest there be an uproar of the people," indicating their fear of a popular uprising or riot if they moved against Jesus, who was widely popular among the common folk.

Key Themes

  • Fear of Man vs. Divine Will: The leaders' decision was driven by political expediency and a fear of public opinion, rather than a pursuit of justice or divine truth. They prioritized maintaining social order and their own authority over God's plan. This highlights a recurring theme of the religious leaders' concern for the crowd's reaction, as seen when they questioned Jesus' authority (Mark 11:32).
  • Human Schemes vs. God's Sovereignty: Despite their meticulous planning to avoid a public spectacle during the feast, God's sovereign timing would ultimately ensure that Jesus was indeed crucified during Passover, fulfilling prophecy and demonstrating His ultimate control over human events.
  • Jesus' Popularity: The leaders' apprehension underscores Jesus' significant following among the people, who saw Him as a prophet or even the Messiah. This popularity was a major threat to the established religious order.

Linguistic Insight

The Greek word translated as "uproar" is thorubos (θόρυβος), which signifies a tumult, commotion, or a disorderly crowd. It perfectly captures the leaders' concern about a potential riot or civil disturbance that could arise if they publicly arrested Jesus during a high-holiday gathering. Their fear was not just of general disapproval, but of an uncontrolled public outcry that could escalate into violence and challenge their authority, or even draw Roman intervention.

Practical Application

This verse serves as a powerful reminder of the dangers of making decisions based on the fear of man rather than on God's truth or righteous principles. The religious leaders, in their desire to control the situation and avoid an "uproar," ultimately became instruments in fulfilling God's predetermined plan for Jesus' sacrifice. For believers today, it encourages us to prioritize faithfulness to God's will over succumbing to peer pressure, public opinion, or the desire for human approval. It also reinforces the truth of God's sovereignty, demonstrating that even the most calculated human schemes cannot thwart His ultimate purposes.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • John 12:19

    The Pharisees therefore said among themselves, Perceive ye how ye prevail nothing? behold, the world is gone after him.

  • Proverbs 21:30

    ¶ [There is] no wisdom nor understanding nor counsel against the LORD.

  • Lamentations 3:27

    [It is] good for a man that he bear the yoke in his youth.

  • John 7:40

    Many of the people therefore, when they heard this saying, said, Of a truth this is the Prophet.

  • 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.

  • Luke 20:6

    But and if we say, Of men; all the people will stone us: for they be persuaded that John was a prophet.

  • Proverbs 19:21

    ¶ [There are] many devices in a man's heart; nevertheless the counsel of the LORD, that shall stand.

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