Matthew 26:4

KJV

And consulted that they might take Jesus by subtilty, and kill [him].

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G2532} consulted {G4823} that {G2443} they might take {G2902} Jesus {G2424} by subtilty {G1388}, and {G2532} kill {G615} him.

Complete Jewish Bible

They made plans to arrest Yeshua surreptitiously and have him put to death;

Berean Standard Bible

and they conspired to arrest Jesus covertly and kill Him.

American Standard Version

and they took counsel together that they might take Jesus by subtlety, and kill him.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Matthew 26:4 records the malicious consultation of the chief priests and elders, who, gathered at the high priest Caiaphas's palace, conspired to apprehend Jesus not openly, but through cunning and deceit, with the ultimate intent of putting Him to death. This secret deliberation underscores the deep-seated animosity of the religious authorities and their calculated efforts to eliminate Jesus while avoiding public outcry, setting the stage for the events of the Passion week.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse immediately follows the declaration in [Matthew 26:3](/matthew/26-3 "Matthew 26:3 - The Sanhedrin Gathers") that the chief priests, scribes, and elders of the people had assembled in the palace of the high priest, Caiaphas. It details the specific purpose of their gathering: to devise a plan to seize and kill Jesus. The subsequent verse, [Matthew 26:5](/matthew/26-5 "Matthew 26:5 - Avoiding the Feast"), reveals their primary concern regarding timing—they aimed to avoid a public disturbance during the Passover feast, which explains their decision to act "by subtilty." This passage thus serves as a pivotal moment, marking the formalization of the plot against Jesus, directly preceding Judas's betrayal and the events of Gethsemane and the crucifixion. It is part of Matthew's detailed account of Jesus' final days in Jerusalem, emphasizing the escalating opposition from the religious establishment.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The consultation took place during the week of Passover, the most significant Jewish festival, which drew hundreds of thousands of pilgrims to Jerusalem. This influx of people created a volatile environment, as the Roman authorities were always wary of potential uprisings. The "chief priests and elders" constituted the Sanhedrin, the supreme Jewish governing council, which held significant religious and judicial authority under Roman oversight. Their meeting in the high priest Caiaphas's palace (who served from AD 18-36) signifies an official, albeit clandestine, deliberation. Their motivation stemmed from a complex mix of fear—fear of Jesus' growing popularity, fear of His challenge to their authority and interpretations of the Law, and fear of Roman intervention if Jesus' movement led to civil unrest. They perceived Jesus' claims and actions, such as cleansing the temple and teaching with authority, as blasphemous and a direct threat to their established power structure and the delicate balance of their relationship with Rome.
* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes significantly to several key themes within Matthew's Gospel and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it highlights the theme of **Conspiracy and Malice**, revealing the calculated and deliberate plot by the religious authorities to eliminate Jesus, driven by deep-seated animosity and a willingness to resort to treachery. Secondly, it underscores the **Fear of the People** by the authorities; their decision to use "subtilty" rather than open arrest demonstrates their apprehension of the crowds who largely supported Jesus, seeking to avoid a riot, especially during the high holy days, as further emphasized in [Matthew 26:5](/matthew/26-5 "Matthew 26:5 - Avoiding the Feast"). Thirdly, it powerfully illustrates the interplay between **Divine Sovereignty and Human Agency**. While human agents meticulously planned Jesus' death, this act was simultaneously part of God's sovereign plan for redemption, as foretold by prophets (e.g., [Isaiah 53](/isaiah/53 "Isaiah 53 - The Suffering Servant")) and later articulated by Peter in [Acts 2:23](/acts/2-23 "Acts 2:23 - God's Foreknowledge and Human Action"). Finally, this consultation marks a critical turning point, solidifying the path towards Jesus' arrest, trial, and eventual crucifixion, thus emphasizing the **Inevitable Passion** as the fulfillment of God's redemptive purpose.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **consulted (Greek, _symbouleúō'_):** From G4823, meaning "to give (or take) advice jointly, i.e. recommend, deliberate or determine." This word emphasizes that the action was not a spontaneous decision but a deliberate, collective deliberation among the religious leaders. It implies a formal, albeit sinister, council where a plan was carefully formulated.
* **subtilty (Greek, _dólos'_):** From G1388, meaning "a trick (bait), i.e. (figuratively) wile:--craft, deceit, guile, subtilty." This term is crucial as it reveals the deceptive and treacherous nature of their plan. It signifies an intention to use cunning, artifice, or a snare to entrap Jesus, rather than confronting Him openly or legally. It suggests a lack of legitimate grounds for arrest and a desire to avoid public scrutiny.
* **kill (Greek, _apokteínō'_):** From G615, meaning "to kill outright; figuratively, to destroy." This word explicitly states their ultimate, murderous intent. It leaves no ambiguity about their goal: the termination of Jesus' life. The combination of "subtilty" and "kill" highlights the cold, calculated malice behind their actions.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And consulted":** This opening phrase indicates a formal gathering and a deliberate process of discussion and planning among the religious authorities. It implies a joint effort to arrive at a consensus regarding their course of action concerning Jesus.
* **"that they might take Jesus by subtilty":** This clause reveals the specific method of apprehension they decided upon. The phrase "by subtilty" (Greek: _en dolō_) signifies their intention to use deceit, cunning, or a trap to seize Jesus. This was a strategic decision to avoid a public confrontation or riot, especially given Jesus' popularity among the people during the crowded Passover festival. It underscores their fear of the masses and their preference for a clandestine operation.
* **"and kill [him].":** This final clause states the ultimate, murderous objective of their consultation. Their aim was not merely to arrest Jesus or silence Him, but to put Him to death. This reveals the extreme hostility and deep-seated animosity they harbored, viewing Jesus as such a profound threat that His elimination was deemed necessary.

#### Literary Devices
Matthew 26:4 employs several potent literary devices. **Foreshadowing** is prominent, as this verse explicitly states the Sanhedrin's intent to kill Jesus, setting the stage for the Passion narrative that follows. This declaration builds dramatic tension, confirming the inevitable trajectory towards the crucifixion. There is also a strong element of **Irony** present. The religious leaders, who were supposed to be guardians of God's law and justice, resort to "subtilty" and deceit to achieve their murderous ends, directly violating the very principles they claimed to uphold. Their clandestine plotting contrasts sharply with Jesus' open and public ministry. Furthermore, the verse introduces a **Conspiracy/Plot Motif**, where powerful figures secretly scheme against an innocent protagonist. This motif underscores the malevolent forces at work and highlights the vulnerability of Jesus to human wickedness, even as it paradoxically serves God's greater redemptive plan.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Matthew 26:4 stands as a stark testament to the depth of human depravity and the organized opposition that truth and righteousness can face. The religious leaders' conspiracy to kill Jesus, driven by fear, jealousy, and a desire to maintain power, exemplifies humanity's rebellion against God's divine will. Yet, paradoxically, this malicious human plotting was not outside the scope of God's sovereign plan. From eternity past, God had ordained that His Son would be delivered up by the hands of wicked men to accomplish salvation for humanity. This verse, therefore, highlights the profound mystery of divine sovereignty working through human agency, even sinful agency, to bring about His perfect purposes. It reminds us that even the darkest acts of human evil can be woven into the tapestry of God's redemptive design.

* [Psalm 2:1-2](/psalms/2-1-2 "Psalm 2:1-2 - The Conspiracy of Nations")
* [Acts 2:23](/acts/2-23 "Acts 2:23 - God's Foreknowledge and Human Action")
* [Luke 22:1-6](/luke/22-1-6 "Luke 22:1-6 - The Plot Against Jesus")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The consultation to take Jesus by "subtilty" and kill Him serves as a sobering reminder that opposition to Christ and His truth often comes from unexpected places, even those who claim religious authority. It reveals how fear, insecurity, and a desire for control can corrupt hearts and lead to profound injustice. For us today, this verse challenges us to examine our own motives and allegiances. Are we truly seeking God's will, or are we subtly plotting to maintain our own comfort, power, or reputation, even at the expense of truth? It also highlights the reality of spiritual warfare: the forces of darkness often work through deception and clandestine means to oppose God's kingdom. Yet, in the face of such malicious plotting, God's ultimate plan for salvation through Christ prevailed, demonstrating His unwavering sovereignty over human intentions. We are called to be discerning, to stand for truth, and to trust in God's ultimate victory, even when faced with cunning opposition.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what ways might we, even subtly, resist God's will or truth when it challenges our comfort, authority, or preconceived notions?**
* **How does the Sanhedrin's fear of the people relate to our own fears of what others might think if we fully embrace and live out our faith?**
* **Considering the "subtilty" used against Jesus, how can believers be more discerning of deceptive tactics in the world today, both within and outside religious contexts?**
* **What comfort or strength can we draw from the fact that even this malicious plot ultimately served God's sovereign redemptive plan?**

### FAQ

**Why did the religious leaders want to act "by subtilty" instead of openly arresting Jesus?**

Answer: The religious leaders chose to act "by subtilty" (cunning, deceit) primarily out of fear of the people. Jesus had gained significant popularity among the crowds, especially during the Passover festival when Jerusalem was teeming with pilgrims. An open arrest, particularly of someone many considered a prophet or even the Messiah, risked inciting a riot or public disturbance. Such unrest could have led to severe Roman intervention, which the Sanhedrin wished to avoid at all costs to maintain their delicate political standing and control. Their goal was to seize Jesus quietly and discreetly, away from the public eye, to prevent any popular uprising in His defense, as indicated in [Matthew 26:5](/matthew/26-5 "Matthew 26:5 - Avoiding the Feast").

**Who were "they" who consulted to kill Jesus?**

Answer: "They" refers to the chief priests and the elders of the people, as specified in [Matthew 26:3](/matthew/26-3 "Matthew 26:3 - The Sanhedrin Gathers"). This group comprised the leading members of the Sanhedrin, the supreme Jewish council. The chief priests included the high priest (Caiaphas at this time), former high priests, and heads of the priestly families. The elders were prominent lay leaders, often heads of influential families. Together, they represented the highest religious and political authority within Judaism under Roman rule, and they were united in their opposition to Jesus.

**Was Jesus' death truly a result of human plotting, or was it God's plan?**

Answer: The Bible teaches that Jesus' death was both a result of malicious human plotting and the fulfillment of God's sovereign plan. Matthew 26:4 clearly shows the human agency and wicked intent of the religious leaders. However, the New Testament consistently affirms that these human actions, though sinful, were part of God's "determinate counsel and foreknowledge" (as seen in [Acts 2:23](/acts/2-23 "Acts 2:23 - God's Foreknowledge and Human Action")). God did not cause the evil in their hearts, but He perfectly wove their sinful choices into His redemptive purpose, ensuring that Jesus' sacrifice would atone for the sins of humanity. This demonstrates God's ultimate sovereignty even over human wickedness.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The dark consultation recorded in Matthew 26:4, where human malice conspired to "take Jesus by subtilty, and kill him," finds its profound Christ-centered fulfillment not in the triumph of evil, but in the ultimate triumph of God's redemptive love. While the religious leaders plotted to eliminate a perceived threat, their actions unwittingly served as the very means by which God's eternal plan of salvation would be accomplished. Jesus, the sinless [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), willingly submitted to this wicked plot, knowing it was the path to the cross. His voluntary surrender, rather than being a defeat, was the ultimate act of obedience to His Father's will, fulfilling prophecies that spoke of His suffering and death (e.g., [Isaiah 53:7-8](/isaiah/53-7-8 "Isaiah 53:7-8 - The Lamb Led to Slaughter")). Thus, the "subtilty" intended to ensnare Him became the very means by which He disarmed the powers of darkness and triumphed over sin and death (as described in [Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Triumph Over Principalities and Powers")). The conspiracy to kill Jesus, far from thwarting God's purpose, became the pivotal event through which humanity's reconciliation with God was secured, demonstrating that even the deepest human depravity cannot ultimately frustrate the sovereign love and redemptive design of God in Christ.

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 12:14

¶ Then the Pharisees went out, and held a council against him, how they might destroy him.

Acts 13:10

And said, O full of all subtilty and all mischief, [thou] child of the devil, [thou] enemy of all righteousness, wilt thou not cease to pervert the right ways of the Lord?

Psalms 2:2

The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the LORD, and against his anointed, [saying],

Matthew 23:33

[Ye] serpents, [ye] generation of vipers, how can ye escape the damnation of hell?

Genesis 3:1

¶ Now the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden?

Acts 7:19

The same dealt subtilly with our kindred, and evil entreated our fathers, so that they cast out their young children, to the end they might not live.

2 Corinthians 11:3

But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.