Matthew 21:46

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

But {G2532} when they sought {G2212} to lay hands {G2902} on him {G846}, they feared {G5399} the multitude {G3793}, because {G1894} they took {G2192} him {G846} for {G5613} a prophet {G4396}.

Complete Jewish Bible

But when they set about to arrest him, they were afraid of the crowds; because the crowds considered him a prophet.

Berean Standard Bible

Although they wanted to arrest Him, they were afraid of the crowds, because the people regarded Him as a prophet.

American Standard Version

And when they sought to lay hold on him, they feared the multitudes, because they took him for a prophet.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Following Jesus' scathing parable of the wicked tenants, the chief priests and Pharisees, recognizing the indictment against themselves, desired to apprehend Him. However, their intent was thwarted by their apprehension of the crowd's reaction, as the multitude widely regarded Jesus as a legitimate prophet, a messenger from God. This verse highlights the religious leaders' fear of popular opinion over divine truth and the growing tension between Jesus and the establishment, who were constrained by the people's reverence for Him.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse concludes a series of confrontational encounters and parables in [Matthew 21](/matthew/21 "Matthew 21 - Jesus' Authority Challenged"). Immediately preceding this, Jesus has delivered the Parable of the Wicked Tenants ([Matthew 21:33-44](/matthew/21-33-44 "The Parable of the Wicked Tenants")). In this parable, the vineyard owner represents God, the tenants represent the religious leaders of Israel, and the owner's son represents Jesus. The parable explicitly foretells the rejection and murder of the Son, and the subsequent transfer of the kingdom's stewardship to others. The religious leaders "perceived that he spake of them" ([Matthew 21:45](/matthew/21-45 "The Leaders Understand the Parable")), leading directly to their desire to seize Him. This verse thus serves as the immediate consequence of their understanding and the temporary restraint on their hostile actions. It sets the stage for further debates and parables in [Matthew 22](/matthew/22 "Matthew 22 - Debates and Parables") and the ultimate rejection of Jesus.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Jesus' ministry was reaching its climax during Passion Week in Jerusalem, a city brimming with pilgrims for Passover. The religious authorities—the chief priests, scribes, and Pharisees—held significant power and influence over Jewish society, both religiously and politically, under Roman oversight. They viewed Jesus as a threat to their authority, traditions, and even their national stability ([John 11:48](/john/11-48 "John 11:48 - Fear of Roman Intervention")). The concept of a "prophet" was deeply ingrained in Jewish culture, harkening back to figures like Moses, Elijah, and Isaiah. Prophets were seen as God's direct spokespersons, and harming one was considered a grave offense against God Himself. The multitude, many of whom were Galileans who had witnessed Jesus' miracles and teachings, held a genuine, albeit sometimes superficial, respect for Him as a man of God, perhaps even the "prophet who is to come" ([John 6:14](/john/6-14 "John 6:14 - Jesus as the Prophet")). This popular sentiment provided a crucial, albeit temporary, shield for Jesus against the immediate wrath of the Sanhedrin.

* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully illustrates several recurring themes in Matthew's Gospel. Firstly, the **conflict between Jesus and the religious establishment** is starkly evident; their desire to "lay hands on him" underscores their escalating animosity and rejection of His divine authority. Secondly, it highlights the **fear of man over the fear of God**, as the leaders' actions are dictated by public opinion rather than righteous judgment or spiritual conviction. Their primary concern is maintaining their societal standing and control, not discerning God's will. Thirdly, the **popular perception of Jesus** as a prophet is a significant theme, demonstrating that while many recognized His divine anointing and powerful words, they had not yet fully grasped His identity as the Messiah and Son of God, a revelation that would come with His crucifixion and resurrection. This popular support, however, served as a divine providence, delaying His arrest until God's appointed time.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **sought (Greek, _zētéō'_):** From G2212, meaning "to seek (literally or figuratively); specially, (by Hebraism) to worship (God), or (in a bad sense) to plot (against life)." In this context, _zētéō_ implies a deliberate and hostile intent to find a way or opportunity to seize Jesus, indicating a malicious plotting rather than a simple search.
* **feared (Greek, _phobéō'_):** From G5399, meaning "to frighten, i.e. (passively) to be alarmed; by analogy, to be in awe of, i.e. revere." Here, _phobéō_ denotes a genuine apprehension or dread on the part of the religious leaders. Their fear was not one of reverence for God or His prophet, but a pragmatic fear of the physical and political repercussions from the crowd if they acted against Jesus.
* **prophet (Greek, _prophḗtēs'_):):** From G4396, meaning "a foreteller ('prophet'); by analogy, an inspired speaker; by extension, a poet." The multitude's perception of Jesus as a _prophḗtēs_ means they viewed Him as a divinely inspired messenger, one who spoke God's truth, much like the great prophets of Israel's past. This popular recognition endowed Jesus with a sacred status in the eyes of the people, making any direct assault on Him highly risky for the authorities.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"But when they sought to lay hands on him":** This phrase reveals the immediate, hostile intention of the chief priests and Pharisees. Having understood Jesus' parable as a direct condemnation of their leadership and a prophecy of their removal, their natural response was to eliminate the perceived threat. The phrase "lay hands on him" (Greek _kratéō_, G2902) implies seizing with force, indicating a desire for arrest and detention, likely with the ultimate goal of silencing or destroying Him.
* **"they feared the multitude":** This clause introduces the crucial obstacle to their immediate plan. Despite their intense desire to act, their fear of the crowd's reaction superseded their animosity toward Jesus. This highlights their pragmatic, self-preserving nature and their reliance on popular support or at least tolerance for their authority. Their fear was not of God, but of social and political upheaval.
* **"because they took him for a prophet":** This final clause provides the reason for the multitude's protective stance and, consequently, the leaders' fear. The people, many of whom had witnessed Jesus' miracles, heard His authoritative teaching, and perhaps even seen His triumphal entry, genuinely believed Him to be a prophet sent from God. This popular conviction made any open act of aggression against Jesus politically dangerous for the religious authorities, as it could incite a riot or undermine their already tenuous control.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs **Irony**, **Foreshadowing**, and **Contrast**. The **irony** lies in the fact that the religious leaders, who were supposed to be spiritual guides, were more concerned with public opinion and their own power than with the truth of God's message delivered by Jesus. They feared the multitude more than they feared God, whose Son they sought to apprehend. This stands in stark **contrast** to the multitude, who, despite their imperfect understanding, recognized Jesus' prophetic authority. The verse also serves as **foreshadowing**, hinting at the inevitable confrontation and eventual arrest of Jesus, but also indicating that it would not happen until the opportune moment, when the popular support would wane or be manipulated.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Matthew 21:46 powerfully illustrates the deep spiritual blindness of the religious leaders who, despite their privileged position and knowledge of the Scriptures, failed to recognize or accept God's ultimate messenger. Their fear of the multitude, driven by a desire to maintain their earthly authority, stands in stark contrast to the fear of God that should have characterized their leadership. This episode underscores the tragic reality of rejecting divine truth when it challenges human power structures, a theme echoed throughout biblical history. The people's recognition of Jesus as a prophet, while incomplete, served as a divine protection, delaying the leaders' plans until God's appointed time for the Messiah's sacrifice.

* [John 7:40-44](/john/7-40-44 "John 7:40-44 - Division Over Jesus' Identity")
* [Luke 20:19-20](/luke/20-19-20 "Luke 20:19-20 - Leaders Seek to Arrest Jesus")
* [Acts 5:26](/acts/5-26 "Acts 5:26 - Fear of the People")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Matthew 21:46 offers a profound reflection on the nature of spiritual authority, the dangers of human fear, and the often-complex dynamics of popular perception. The religious leaders, entrusted with guiding God's people, prioritized their own prestige and control over discerning and embracing divine truth. Their fear of the multitude reveals a fundamental misplacement of their reverence—a fear of man rather than a fear of God. For us today, this serves as a potent warning: are we more concerned with what others think of us, or with faithfully obeying God's will? Do we seek to maintain our comfort and standing, or are we willing to embrace uncomfortable truths that challenge our preconceived notions or power structures? The multitude, though not fully understanding Jesus' messianic identity, recognized His prophetic anointing, demonstrating that even partial spiritual insight can lead to a protective reverence. This invites us to consider our own level of understanding and commitment to Jesus: do we merely see Him as a good teacher or prophet, or do we embrace Him as Lord and Savior? True faith requires moving beyond mere admiration to full surrender and obedience, regardless of the cost or popular opinion.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life am I more concerned with the opinions of others than with God's truth and will?**
* **How might a fear of losing control or status prevent me from embracing a challenging truth from God's Word?**
* **Do I truly understand Jesus as more than just a prophet, but as the Son of God and my Savior? What does that mean for my daily life?**
* **What are the "multitudes" (societal pressures, cultural norms) that might hinder me from fully following Christ?**

### FAQ
**Why did the religious leaders fear the multitude so much?**

Answer: The religious leaders feared the multitude because the people largely held Jesus in high regard, viewing Him as a prophet sent from God. To openly arrest or harm Jesus would have been seen as an act against a divine messenger, potentially inciting a riot among the people, especially during the Passover festival when Jerusalem was crowded and tensions were high. Their authority and position depended on maintaining public order and, to a degree, popular support. Acting against Jesus, whom the people "took for a prophet," would have jeopardized their control and could have led to civil unrest, which would have displeased the Roman authorities and potentially led to their removal from power ([John 11:48](/john/11-48 "John 11:48 - Fear of Roman Intervention")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Matthew 21:46, though seemingly a simple account of the religious leaders' fear, profoundly points to Christ's unique identity and the divine orchestration of His passion. The fact that the multitude "took him for a prophet" is a partial but significant recognition of Jesus' role as God's ultimate messenger, echoing the Old Testament prophets who spoke God's word to His people. However, Jesus was far more than a prophet; He was the very Word made flesh ([John 1:14](/john/1-14 "John 1:14 - The Word Became Flesh")), God's final and complete revelation to humanity ([Hebrews 1:1-2](/hebrews/1-1-2 "Hebrews 1:1-2 - God's Final Word in His Son")). The leaders' fear of the crowd, ironically, served God's sovereign timetable, ensuring that Jesus would not be seized prematurely but at the precise moment appointed for His atoning sacrifice. This temporary protection allowed Jesus to continue teaching and fulfilling prophecies until the time when He would willingly lay down His life, not by the force of human hands, but by His own divine will, as the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world ([John 10:18](/john/10-18 "John 10:18 - Jesus Lays Down His Life") and [John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")). Thus, even in the opposition of His enemies, God's plan for Christ's redemptive work was being meticulously unfolded.

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

Matthew 21:11

And the multitude said, This is Jesus the prophet of Nazareth of Galilee.

Matthew 21:26

But if we shall say, Of men; we fear the people; for all hold John as a prophet.

Isaiah 29:1

¶ Woe to Ariel, to Ariel, the city [where] David dwelt! add ye year to year; let them kill sacrifices.

John 7:40

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

John 7:41

Others said, This is the Christ. But some said, Shall Christ come out of Galilee?

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;

2 Samuel 12:13

And David said unto Nathan, I have sinned against the LORD. And Nathan said unto David, The LORD also hath put away thy sin; thou shalt not die.