Matthew 21:46 (KJV)

What does Matthew 21:46 mean?

Matthew 21:46 describes how the religious leaders wanted to arrest Jesus but were afraid to do so because the crowds believed Jesus was a prophet. The leaders hesitated to act against Jesus openly, fearing the reaction of the people who respected him.

In this scene, Matthew is narrating the response of the chief priests and Pharisees after Jesus tells a parable that criticizes them. The leaders are looking for a way to seize Jesus ("lay hands on him"), but the large crowd gathered around sees Jesus as a prophet, someone who speaks for God. This public opinion restrains the leaders, showing the tension between their authority and the people's admiration for Jesus.

The Greek behind Matthew 21:46

• "Feared" (ἐφοβήθησαν, ephobēthēsan): This word means to be afraid or to have reverence. Here, it highlights that the leaders' fear of the crowd was strong enough to stop them from acting on their intentions.
• "Multitude" (ὄχλον, ochlon): This refers to a large crowd or group of people. The presence and opinion of this crowd are what protect Jesus at this moment.
• "Took...for a prophet" (εἶχον...ὡς προφήτην, eichon...hōs prophētēn): The Greek phrase means the crowd "held" or "regarded" Jesus as a prophet. This shows the high level of respect and spiritual authority the people believed Jesus had.

Why Matthew 21:46 matters

• Matthew 21:46 clarifies that the leaders’ hesitation was not due to uncertainty about Jesus’ message, but because of the crowd’s strong support for him.
• The verse highlights the growing divide between the religious authorities and the common people, which is a recurring theme in Matthew’s Gospel.
• This moment sets the stage for the tension that will lead to Jesus’ eventual arrest, showing that public opinion played a significant role in the timing and manner of the leaders’ actions.