And the scribes and chief priests heard it, and sought how they might destroy him: for they feared him, because all the people was astonished at his doctrine.

MARK 11:18KJV
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Mark 11:18 (KJV)

What does Mark 11:18 mean?

Mark 11:18 shows that Jesus’ actions and teaching brought him into serious conflict with religious leaders. The scribes and chief priests began looking for a way to kill him, while the crowd’s strong response to his teaching made the leaders afraid.

Mark tells what happened after Jesus disrupted buying and selling in the temple (Mark 11:15–17). The scribes were people trained in the Jewish law, and the chief priests held leading roles in temple worship. Their search for a way to destroy Jesus shows that the conflict had moved beyond disagreement.

The Greek behind Mark 11:18

  • “doctrine” — διδαχή (didachē): This word means teaching. In the KJV, “doctrine” here points to what Jesus was teaching, rather than necessarily to a formal set of beliefs.
  • “astonished” — ἐκπλήσσω (ekplēssō): This word carries the sense of being struck with amazement. It portrays the crowd as deeply affected by what Jesus taught.

Why Mark 11:18 matters

  • The leaders’ fear is tied to the crowd’s response. The verse says they feared Jesus “because all the people was astonished at his doctrine,” placing the people’s reaction at the center of the conflict.
  • The danger to Jesus continues into the following passage. In Mark 11:27–28, leaders question his authority, showing that the dispute over his actions and teaching has not ended.
  • The crowd’s amazement does not tell us how each person later responded. Mark describes the people’s reaction at this moment, as the leaders were seeking a way to destroy Jesus.

Where else these words appear

“astonished” Greek G1605 · used in 13 verses

  • Matthew 7:28 And it came to pass, when Jesus had ended these sayings, the people were astonished at his doctrine:
  • Mark 1:22 And they were astonished at his doctrine: for he taught them as one that had authority, and not as the scribes.
  • Luke 2:48 And when they saw him, they were amazed: and his mother said unto him, Son, why hast thou thus dealt with us? behold, thy father and I have sought thee sorrowing.

“doctrine” Greek G1322 · used in 29 verses

  • Matthew 7:28 And it came to pass, when Jesus had ended these sayings, the people were astonished at his doctrine:
  • John 7:17 If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself.
  • 1 Corinthians 14:26 How is it then, brethren? when ye come together, every one of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath an interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying.

“scribes” Greek G1122 · used in 67 verses

  • Matthew 2:4 And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born.
  • Matthew 26:57 And they that had laid hold on Jesus led him away to Caiaphas the high priest, where the scribes and the elders were assembled.
  • Mark 15:31 Likewise also the chief priests mocking said among themselves with the scribes, He saved others; himself he cannot save.

“destroy” Greek G622 · used in 86 verses

  • Matthew 2:13 And when they were departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him.
  • Luke 6:9 Then said Jesus unto them, I will ask you one thing; Is it lawful on the sabbath days to do good, or to do evil? to save life, or to destroy it?
  • John 10:10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.