Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Mark 12:12
And they sought to lay hold on him, but feared the people: for they knew that he had spoken the parable against them: and they left him, and went their way.
12. they sought ] All three Evangelists take note of the exasperation of our Lord’s hearers at words which they now clearly perceived were directed against themselves. The chief priests and Pharisees sought to arrest Him on the spot at once (Luk 20:19), but they were afraid of the multitudes, who regarded Him if not with the same deep feelings as on Palm Sunday, yet still as a prophet (Mat 21:46), so they left Him and went their way (Mar 12:12). One more Parable followed, that of the “ Marriage of the King’s Son ” (Mat 22:1-14), and once more the rulers of the nation were solemnly warned of the danger they were incurring. “Thus within a few hours of crucifixion, and conscious of the fact; in the intervals of mortal contest with the whole forces of the past and present, the wandering Galilan Teacher, meek and lowly in spirit, so that the poorest and the youngest instinctively sought Him; full of Divine pity, so that the most sunken and hopeless penitent felt He was their friend; indifferent to the supports of influence, wealth, or numbers; alone and poor, the very embodiment of weakness, as regarded all visible help, still bore Himself with a serene dignity more than human. In the name of God He transfers the spiritual glory of Israel to His own followers; throws down the barriers of caste and nationality; extends the new dominion, of which He is Head, to all races, and through all ages, here and hereafter; predicts the Divine wrath on His enemies in this world, as the enemies of God, and announces the decision of the final judgment as turning on the attitude of men towards Himself and His message.” Geikie’s Life and Words of Christ, ii. pp. 414, 415; Liddon’s Bampton Lectures, pp. 113 118, Sixth Edition.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
They sought to lay held on him,…. That is, the chief priests, Scribes, and elders, after they had heard the parables he spake to them, were greatly irritated, and provoked, and had a good will to have seized him, and carried him away, and have had him before their court, and condemn him:
but feared the people; lest they should rise up in his defence, and fall on them; for many of them liked; and were attached to his ministry; and others had received favours of one kind or another from him through his miracles:
for they knew that he had spoken the parable against them: and that they were the husbandmen designed, who had not brought the fruit of the vineyard to their lord, but had ill treated his servants, and would his son.
And they left him; in the temple, not daring to do any thing to him:
and went their way; to their council chamber, perhaps to consult what measures to take, and how to destroy him.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
Against them ( ). So Luke. It was a straight shot, this parable of the Rejected Stone (12:10f.) and the longer one of the Wicked Husbandmen. There was no mistaking the application, for he had specifically explained the application (Mt 21:43-45). The Sanhedrin were so angry that they actually started or sought to seize him, but fear of the populace now more enthusiastic for Jesus than ever held them back. They went off in disgust, but they had to listen to the Parable of the King’s Son before going (Mt 22:1-14).
Fuente: Robertson’s Word Pictures in the New Testament
1) “And they sought to lay hold on Him,” (kai ezetoun auton kratesai) “And they sought opportunity to seize (grab Him),” even publicly, Mat 11:18, but His “hour was not yet,” Joh 7:30; Mat 21:46.
2) “But feared the people:- (kai ephobethesan ton ochlon) “And they feared the crowd,” and were themselves as religious leaders tormented, 1Jn 4:18; They tried to act as if they did not know the parable applied to them, though they did.
3) “For they knew,” (egnosan gar) “For they all knew,” realized, were made to understand, by their conscience and the conviction of God’s spirit that was “poured out upon them,” Pro 1:22-23.
4) “That He had spoken the parable against them:” (hoti pros autous ten parabolen eipen) “That He had told the parable to them,” to apply to them, as husbandmen of Israel’s vineyard, committed to them of the Lord, Mat 21:45.
5) “And they left Him,” (kai aphentes auton) “And they went away from Him,” leaving Him, though they wanted to kill Him, Mar 11:18.
6) “And went their way.” (apelthon) “They went away, wherever they chose, as chief priests, scribes, and elders of Israel who had met, encountered, and rejected Jesus Christ the Savior, the best friend they ever had, Mar 11:27. They went their way as secret conspirators.
Fuente: Garner-Howes Baptist Commentary
(12) They sought to lay hold on him.The pronoun carries us back to the chief priests and scribes and elders of Mar. 11:27.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
‘And they sought to lay hold on him, and they feared the crowds, for they perceived that he spoke the parable against them. And they left him and went away.’
‘And they sought to lay hold on him.’ This was precisely what had happened in the parable. There they had laid hold of God’s servants. Here the listening authorities were in two minds. They wanted to arrest Him. Possibly ‘sought’ indicates that they discussed the matter with the leaders of the Temple police and were advised against it at this stage. Possibly the police even came out with this intention, and heard mutterings in the crowds and backed down. So ‘they feared the crowds’. Their fear of the crowds held them back. They would do it at some stage, but not yet.
‘They perceived that He spoke the parable against them.’ They knew exactly what He meant. Thus they had no excuse for their actions. Had their hearts been right they would have responded to Him. But their minds were closed. They did not want Him. His demands were too great, for He actually expected them to do what God wanted. He was an outcast. The problem was that they feared that the crowds also knew what He meant.
‘And they left Him and went away.’ In a sense they were like Satan himself (see Luk 4:13; Mat 4:11). Defeated they were prepared to leave Him for a while. But they would be back, just as Satan would be. They were just beginning their campaign.
Fuente: Commentary Series on the Bible by Peter Pett
12. ] Meyer makes (and in [39] Luke) the subject to , but I think quite unnecessarily. The fear of the people is increased by the consciousness on the part of the rulers that He had spoken the parable against them : they are as men convicted before the people .
[39] When, in the Gospels, and in the Evangelic statement, 1Co 11:23-25 , the sign () occurs in a reference, it is signified that the word occurs in the parallel place in the other Gospels, which will always be found indicated at the head of the note on the paragraph. When the sign () is qualified , thus, ‘ Mk.,’ or ‘ Mt. Mk.,’ &c., it is signified that the word occurs in the parallel place in that Gospel or Gospels, but not in the other or others .
Fuente: Henry Alford’s Greek Testament
Mar 12:12 . : is to all intents adversative here, though grammarians deny that it is ever so used ( vide Winer, sec. liii. 3 b) = they sought to lay hold of Him, but they feared the people. refers to the Sanhedrists (Weiss, Holtz.), not to the (Meyer). It gives a reason at once for their desire to lay hold of Jesus, and for their fear of the people. They must be careful so to act as not to appear to take the parable to themselves, while they really did so.
Fuente: The Expositors Greek Testament by Robertson
NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: Mar 12:12
12And they were seeking to seize Him, and yet they feared the people, for they understood that He spoke the parable against them. And so they left Him and went away.
Mar 12:12 “they were seeking to seize Him” The Jewish leaders understood the parable was referring to them and they acted in the predicted way (i.e., tried to kill Him).
“they feared the people” These leaders looked to current opinions (cf. Mar 11:18; Mar 11:32; Mat 21:26; Mat 21:46; Luk 19:48) rather than to God’s Word in order to decide their actions.
“they understood that He spoke the parable against them” This pronoun “they” can be understood in one of two ways: (1) the leaders were afraid of Jesus’ popularity with the crowd (cf. Mat 21:45) or (2) the crowd also understood that the parable was addressed to the religious leaders.
Fuente: You Can Understand the Bible: Study Guide Commentary Series by Bob Utley
for = because.
knew = came to know, or perceived. Greek ginosko. See App-152. Not the same word as in verses: Mar 12:14, Mar 12:15, Mar 12:24.
against. Greek pros. App-104.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
12.] Meyer makes (and in [39] Luke) the subject to , but I think quite unnecessarily. The fear of the people is increased by the consciousness on the part of the rulers that He had spoken the parable against them: they are as men convicted before the people.
[39] When, in the Gospels, and in the Evangelic statement, 1Co 11:23-25, the sign () occurs in a reference, it is signified that the word occurs in the parallel place in the other Gospels, which will always be found indicated at the head of the note on the paragraph. When the sign () is qualified, thus, Mk., or Mt. Mk., &c., it is signified that the word occurs in the parallel place in that Gospel or Gospels, but not in the other or others.
Fuente: The Greek Testament
Mar 12:12. And they sought to lay hold on him, but feared the people: for they knew that he had spoken the parable against them: and they left him, and went their way.
Christs enemies could not injure him then, partly because the people heard him gladly, and were ready to protect him, but still more because the appointed time for his suffering and death had not fully come.
Mar 12:13-14. And they send unto him certain of the Pharisees and of the Herodians, to catch him in his word. And when they were come, they say unto him, Master, we know that thou art true, and carest for no man: for thou regardest not the person of men, but teachest the way of God in truth:
They meant to catch him in his words, if they could, so they baited their trap with flattery. Whenever a man begins to flatter you, be on your guard against him. If he tries to commence a conversation with you by uttering words of excessive admiration, depend upon it that he admires something that you have got more than he admires you; and, therefore, be on the watch against him. Our Saviour must, in his heart, have utterly despised men who were so foolish as to imagine that they could entrap him by their flattering words. After that preface, they asked the questions which they thought would impale him upon the horns of a dilemma:
Mar 12:14-15. Is it lawful to give tribute to Caesar, or not? Shall we give, or shall we not give?
They knew very well that, if Christ said, Do not give tribute to Caesar, the Romans would have taken him up, and imprisoned him for preaching sedition, but, on the other hand, if he said, Pay tribute to Caesar, the Jews would have said that he was their enemy, and not a true patriot, or else he would not have admitted that the chosen people were bound to pay taxes to their Roman conquerors.
Mar 12:15-17. But he, knowing their hypocrisy, said unto them, Why tempt ye me? bring me a penny, that I may see it. And they brought it. And he saith unto them, Whose is this image and superscription? And they said unto him, Caesars. And Jesus answering said unto them, Render to Caesar the things that are Caesars, and to God the things that are Gods. And they marvelled at him.
He had answered them with matchless wisdom without committing himself in any way.
Mar 12:18-23. Then come unto him the Sadducees, which say there is no resurrection; and they asked him, saying, Master, Moses wrote unto us, If a mans brother die, and leave his wife behind him, and leave no children, that his brother should take his wife, and raise up seed unto his brother. Now there were seven brethren: and the first took a wife, and dying left no seed. And the second took her, and died, neither left he any seed: and the third likewise. And the seven had her, and left no seed: last of all the woman died also. In the resurrection therefore, when they shall rise, whose wife shall she be of them, for the seven had her to wife.
No doubt they thought that they had completely entangled him that time. How could he answer such a difficult question as that? But, you see, they had based their enquiry upon the erroneous supposition that things are to be in another state as they are here; so Jesus was able at once to answer them as effectively as he had just answered the Pharisees and Herodians.
Mar 12:24-27. And Jesus answering said unto them, Do ye not therefore err, because ye know not the scriptures, neither the power of God? For when they shall rise from the dead, they neither marry, nor are given in marriage; but are as the angels which are in heaven. And as touching the dead, that they rise: have ye not read in the book of Moses, how in the bush God spake unto him, saying, I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob? He is not the God of the dead, but the God of the living: ye therefore do greatly err.
His answer carried the war into the enemies camp. They professed to believe in Moses, yet they denied the existence of spirits and the fact of the resurrection; but Jesus Christ proved to a demonstration that God cannot be the God of the dead. If, therefore, he is the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob are still alive; and if he be your God, and my God, dear friends, we need not fear extinction; we must live, and we must live for ever.
Mar 12:28-34. And one of the scribes came, and having heard them reasoning together, and perceiving that he had answered them well, asked him, Which is the first commandment of all? And Jesus answered him, The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord: and thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment. And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these. And the scribe said unto him, Well, Master, thou hast said the truth: for there is one God; and there is none other but he; and to love him with all the heart, and with all the understanding, and with all the soul, and with all the strength, and to love his neighbor as himself, is more than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices. And when Jesus saw that he answered discreetly, he said unto him, Thou art not far from the kingdom of God. And no man after that durst ask him any question.
He had so decidedly put all his questioners to the rout that no other man had the audacity to court defeat at his hands. The infallible wisdom of Christ had put all his accusers and tempters to flight.
Mar 12:35-36. And Jesus answered and said, while he taught in the temple, How say the scribes that Christ is the son of David? For David himself said by the Holy Ghost,
In Psa 110:1,
Mar 12:36-37. The Lord said to my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, till I make thine enemies thy footstool. David therefore himself calleth him Lord; and whence is he then his son?
They could not answer that riddle, but we can. We know that Jesus is both Davids son and Davids Lord; a man like ourselves, of the great human race, yet very God of very God, blessed be his holy name!
Mar 12:37-40. And the common people heard him gladly. And he said unto them in his doctrine, Beware of the scribes, which love to go in long clothing, and love salutations in the marketplaces, and the chief seats in the synagogues, and the uppermost rooms at feasts: which devour widows houses, and for a pretence make long prayers: these shall receive greater damnation.
We often hear foolish people say You must always preach in love, and not say anything against anybody; Jesus did not denounce anybody. Oh, dear! then what about this denunciation of the scribes? Were Jesus here today, he would not be the molluscus creature that some people want us to be. He had a backbone, and a conscience, and a very heavy right hand, and he brought that hand down, like a sledge-hammer, upon cant and hypocrisy and error, and if we would be like Christ, we must be manly, and bold, and outspoken. They tell us this in order that we may easily glide through the world, and that all men may speak well of us. But so did their fathers to the false prophets; and do you suppose that we who preach Gods Word, are going to keep back any part of our testimony because it will bring us into ill repute with the ungodly? God forbid! We live for something higher and nobler than being fed upon the breath of evil men. If there be error in high places, if there be vice anywhere, it is the duty of the minister of Christ, in his Masters name, to attack it with all his might. Here we find our Lord and Master plainly declaring that the scribes, the great masters of the law, were a set of pretentious hypocrites who robbed even the widow and the fatherless, and who would, in due time, receive greater damnation. Even so must the truth still be spoken, whoever may be offended by it.
Mar 12:41-42. And Jesus sat over against the treasury, and beheld how the people cast money into the treasury: and many that were rich cast in much. And there came a certain poor widow,
Doubly poor, because she was not only a widow, but in poverty: a certain poor widow,
Mar 12:42-44. And she threw in two mites, which make a farthing. And he called unto him his disciples, and saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, that this poor widow hath cast more in, than all they which have cast into the treasury: for all they did cast in of their abundance;
Christ measures what we really give by what we have left, by the proportion which what we give bears to what we possess: For all they did cast in of their abundance;
Mar 12:44. But she of her want did cast in all that she had, even all her living.
So she gave more than any or all the others did.
Fuente: Spurgeon’s Verse Expositions of the Bible
Mar 12:12. [ , for they knew) Their conscience supplying the testimony to its being so.-V. g.]-, [Engl. Ver., against] in reference to) So is used, Heb 1:7; Heb 11:18.
Fuente: Gnomon of the New Testament
feared: Mar 11:18, Mar 11:32, Mat 21:26, Mat 21:45, Mat 21:46, Luk 20:6, Luk 20:19, Joh 7:25, Joh 7:30, Joh 7:44
knew: 2Sa 12:7-15, 1Ki 20:38-41, 1Ki 21:17-27
Reciprocal: Num 23:7 – he took 1Ki 21:20 – Hast thou found me Jer 12:6 – thy brethren Eze 24:3 – utter Mic 2:4 – shall Zep 2:5 – the word Mat 13:3 – in Mar 12:7 – This Luk 19:47 – the chief priests
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
2
They doubtless were aware of this statement and must have begun to see the light that was exposing them. But they were restrained from doing anything to Jesus because of their fear of public sentiment that was favorable to him.
Fuente: Combined Bible Commentary
Mar 12:12. They sought to lay hold on him. but feared the people Greek,
, the multitude. How wonderful is the providence of God, using all things for the good of his children! Generally the multitude is restrained from tearing them in pieces, only by the fear of their rulers. And here, the rulers themselves are restrained, through fear of the multitude!
Fuente: Joseph Bensons Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
12:12 And they {c} sought to lay hold on him, but feared the people: for they knew that he had spoken the parable against them: and they left him, and went their way.
(c) They were greedy and very desirous.
Fuente: Geneva Bible Notes
The meaning of Jesus’ parable was clear to the religious leaders. Jesus had exposed their murderous plot to kill Him. The favor of the multitude shielded Jesus from their wrath temporarily.
Jesus’ claims to being God’s beloved Son were becoming increasingly clear to everyone. As they became clearer, opposition from Israel’s leaders intensified.