Matthew 21:46 Meaning: Why They Feared the Crowds
When they sought to seize him, they feared the multitudes, because they considered him to be a prophet.
But when they sought to lay hands on him, they feared the multitude, because they took him for a prophet.
And when they sought to lay hold on him, they feared the multitudes, because they took him for a prophet.
and seeking to lay hold on him, they feared the multitudes, seeing they were holding him as a prophet.
And seeking to lay hold of him, they were afraid of the crowds, because they held him for a prophet.
Meaning in one sentence
The religious leaders wanted to arrest Jesus but held back because the people recognized Him as a prophet. This verse shows their tension with public faith.
Context
Jesus has just told the parable of the wicked tenants, where the tenants kill the owner’s son. The chief priests and Pharisees understood that Jesus was talking about them. Their response was immediate: they wanted to seize Him. But they stopped themselves. The crowds had just hailed Jesus as the prophet from Nazareth when He entered Jerusalem. Now the same crowds were listening to Him in the temple, and they still regarded Him as a prophet. The leaders feared that arresting Jesus would cause a riot. They had to wait for a quieter moment, away from the people, to carry out their plan.
Key Words
The Greek verb for “seize” here is kratēsai, which means to take hold of with force. It is the same word used when soldiers arrest someone or when a hunter catches prey. The leaders were not gently asking questions; they were ready to use power. But the next word, ephobēthēsan, “they feared”, stops them. This fear is not reverence or awe; it is the ordinary terror of losing control. Then comes the phrase that holds them back: eichon auton hōs prophētēn, “they were holding Him as a prophet.” The verb eichon carries the sense of clinging to a conviction. The people did not merely think Jesus might be a prophet; they held onto that belief firmly. That grip of faith in the crowd made the leaders hesitate.
How Christians Read This Verse
Methodist commentator Adam Clarke highlights the restraining grace at work: the leaders held back only from fear of scandal, not from any change of heart. He warns that abstaining from wrong just to avoid punishment does not make a person innocent. The Cambridge Bible notes the Sanhedrin’s practical calculation: they needed to seize Jesus quickly before the Passover, and apart from the crowds. Baptist expositor John Gill points out that even though the leaders understood Jesus’ parable referred to them, they were not deterred, only the fear of the people kept their hands off. Across these readings, a common thread appears: the leaders’ external restraint did not touch their inner rebellion. The crowd’s faith stopped their hands but not their hearts.
A common misunderstanding
Some readers assume that the religious leaders gave up their plan to arrest Jesus because the people convinced them He was a prophet. In fact, the leaders were not convinced at all. They still wanted to seize Jesus and eventually kill Him. Fear of the crowds only delayed their action, not changed their mind. The verse shows that outward restraint is not the same as inward repentance.
Living This Out
You might be facing a decision this week where what others think holds you back from doing something you know is wrong. That restraint can be a good thing, it keeps you from harm. But God wants more than fear of public opinion. He wants your heart to change. The religious leaders stopped because the crowds loved Jesus. You and I are invited to stop, not because we are afraid of what people will say, but because we see Jesus for who He is. Let that kind of recognition shape your choices, not just the fear of being caught or embarrassed.
Main takeaway: The people held Jesus as a prophet, but the leaders feared the crowd more than they feared God, a warning that outward restraint is no substitute for true faith.
For Families
For ages 5, 8
Some leaders were angry at Jesus and wanted to catch Him. But they were afraid because many people loved Jesus and believed He was a special messenger from God.
For ages 9, 12
The religious leaders knew Jesus was talking about them when He told the story of the wicked tenants. They wanted to arrest Him right away, but they couldn’t because the crowds thought Jesus was a prophet. So they had to wait for a better time. This shows that even people who don’t believe in Jesus sometimes have to stop because of others who do. But stopping is not the same as changing your mind. God wants us to believe in Jesus because we know He is true, not just because others do.
Questions People Ask
Why did the religious leaders want to seize Jesus?
They had just heard the parable of the wicked tenants, and they knew Jesus was speaking about them. It made them furious, and they wanted to arrest Him immediately.
What does 'they feared the multitudes' mean?
The crowds were large and strongly supportive of Jesus. The leaders were afraid that if they tried to arrest Him in public, the people would start a riot, and the Romans might step in.
Why did the people consider Jesus a prophet?
They had seen His miracles and heard His teaching with authority. Just a few days earlier, they had welcomed Him into Jerusalem shouting 'Hosanna,' and many said, 'This is the prophet Jesus, from Nazareth.'
Did the leaders ever manage to arrest Jesus after this?
Yes. Later, with the help of Judas, they arrested Jesus at night when the crowds were not around. Their plan finally succeeded, but only because they found a way to avoid the people.
What does this verse teach us about fear and faith?
Fear of others can stop us from doing wrong, but it does not change our hearts. True faith recognizes Jesus for who He is and follows Him willingly, not just because we are afraid of consequences.
For pastors & researchers
Greek interlinear, 8 commentaries & word study