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Matthew 21:46

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

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}.

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

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

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

Commentary

This verse describes the reaction of the chief priests and Pharisees after Jesus told them the parable of the wicked husbandmen (Matthew 21:33-44). They understood that the parable was directed at them, identifying them as the unfaithful tenants who would be removed from their position.

Context

Following Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem and actions in the Temple, He was confronted by the religious authorities who questioned His authority. Jesus responded with several parables, including the parable of the two sons and the parable of the vineyard tenants (Matthew 21:33-44). These parables sharply rebuked the leaders for their rejection of God's messengers and ultimately, His Son. Understanding the implicit condemnation and threat to their power, they desired to arrest Him, but the presence and opinion of the crowd restrained them.

Key Themes

  • Fear of Man vs. Fear of God: The religious leaders' primary motivation here was not reverence for God or truth, but fear of the multitude's reaction. Their concern was maintaining their social standing and authority among the people, rather than confronting the implications of Jesus' message.
  • Popular Perception of Jesus: The verse highlights that the general populace in Jerusalem at this time largely perceived Jesus as a prophet. This popular view gave Jesus a level of protection against the immediate actions of the hostile leaders.
  • Conflict and Rejection: This verse underscores the growing tension and conflict between Jesus and the religious establishment, who felt threatened by His teachings and popularity, even as they were unable to act decisively against Him yet.

Linguistic Insights

The word "prophet" comes from the Greek word profētēs (προφήτης), meaning one who speaks forth or proclaims a divine message. The multitude's perception of Jesus as a prophet meant they saw Him as a messenger from God, giving weight to His words and actions in their eyes, even if they didn't fully grasp His identity as the Messiah or Son of God.

Reflection

Matthew 21:46 reveals the complex dynamics at play in Jerusalem: the religious leaders, blinded by their opposition and fear of losing control, stood in stark contrast to the multitude, who, while perhaps not fully understanding Jesus, recognized something special and prophetic about Him. It serves as a reminder that popular opinion can sometimes offer unexpected protection, but ultimately, true faith requires moving beyond mere respect for a "prophet" to embracing Jesus as the Son of God, as He Himself implied in the preceding parables.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash (May 20, 2025) using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Matthew 21:11 (5 votes)

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

  • Matthew 21:26 (3 votes)

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

  • Isaiah 29:1 (2 votes)

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

  • John 7:40 (2 votes)

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

  • John 7:41 (2 votes)

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

  • 2 Samuel 12:7 (2 votes)

    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 (2 votes)

    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.