But they said, Not on the feast day, lest there be an uproar among the people.

MATTHEW 26:5KJV
Know the Bible

Matthew 26:5 (KJV)

What does Matthew 26:5 mean?

Matthew 26:5 describes the religious leaders’ concern about when to seize Jesus. They wanted to avoid doing so during the feast because they feared that the people might react with a public disturbance.

The speakers are the chief priests, scribes, and elders who have gathered to plan Jesus’ arrest. After their plan to take him secretly in verse 4, their words in verse 5 show that the reaction of the people affected their timing.

The Greek behind Matthew 26:5

  • “feast” — ἑορτή (heortē): This word refers to a festival or feast. In the setting of Matthew 26, it points to the Passover festival, a time when many people gathered in Jerusalem.
  • “uproar” — θόρυβος (thorybos): This word can describe a noisy disturbance or commotion. Here it suggests the leaders feared a disruptive crowd reaction, not merely private disagreement.

Why Matthew 26:5 matters

  • The verse shows that the leaders were considering the crowd’s response, not just the arrest itself. Their concern was an “uproar among the people.”
  • The words “Not on the feast day” show their intended timing at that moment. Later in the passage, Judas offers to hand Jesus over, and the arrest takes place during the feast period.

Where else these words appear

“uproar” Greek G2351 · used in 7 verses

  • Matthew 27:24 When Pilate saw that he could prevail nothing, but that rather a tumult was made, he took water, and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, I am innocent of the blood of this just person: see ye to it.
  • Mark 14:2 But they said, Not on the feast day, lest there be an uproar of the people.
  • Acts 21:34 And some cried one thing, some another, among the multitude: and when he could not know the certainty for the tumult, he commanded him to be carried into the castle.

“feast” Greek G1859 · used in 25 verses

  • Matthew 27:15 Now at that feast the governor was wont to release unto the people a prisoner, whom they would.
  • John 4:45 Then when he was come into Galilee, the Galilaeans received him, having seen all the things that he did at Jerusalem at the feast: for they also went unto the feast.
  • John 7:37 In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink.

“lest” Greek G3363 · used in 95 verses

  • Matthew 7:1 Judge not, that ye be not judged.
  • John 18:36 Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence.
  • Philippians 2:27 For indeed he was sick nigh unto death: but God had mercy on him; and not on him only, but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow.

“people” Greek G2992 · used in 139 verses

  • Matthew 1:21 And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.
  • Luke 22:66 And as soon as it was day, the elders of the people and the chief priests and the scribes came together, and led him into their council, saying,
  • Acts 21:28 Crying out, Men of Israel, help: This is the man, that teacheth all men every where against the people, and the law, and this place: and further brought Greeks also into the temple, and hath polluted this holy place.