But they said, “Not during the feast, lest there be an uproar among the people.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
The rulers' decision "Not during the feast" reveals they feared the immense crowds more than they respected the sacred festival. Their primary concern wasn't religious observance, but public order and their own safety, demonstrating how their agenda prioritized political control over divine timing.
But they said, “Not during the feast, lest there be an uproar among the people.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
With Passover just two days away, the religious leaders are plotting to arrest Jesus and kill him, but they fear the massive crowds gathered in Jerusalem for the festival. They decide they must wait until after the feast to avoid a riot among the people who see Jesus as a prophet.
Why would the religious leaders, plotting to kill Jesus, hesitate? It wasn't a matter of conscience, but of public opinion.
The chief priests and elders were in a serious bind. They wanted Jesus gone, but the crowds adored Him.
A Dangerous Popularity
During the Passover feast, Jerusalem swelled with hundreds of thousands of people. Jesus had become incredibly popular, seen by many as a prophet. The leaders knew that arresting or killing Him openly during this massive gathering would likely cause a massive riot.
Calculated Caution
They weren't delaying out of respect for the feast or the people's spiritual well-being. Their fear was purely political and self-preservation. They worried about a public uproar that could lead to Roman intervention and bloodshed, or even jeopardize their own positions.
This fear, however, was overridden by God's sovereign plan. While they strategized to delay, God was ensuring Jesus, the true Passover Lamb, would be sacrificed at the appointed time.
They wanted to delay. God had other plans. Discover how human plotting can't derail God's perfect timing.
The leaders' decision to wait until after the feast reveals their human strategy, but the biblical narrative emphasizes God's sovereign hand at work.
God's Appointed Time
Jesus predicted His death, and the leaders plotted to kill Him. Yet, their plan to wait was ultimately part of God's unfolding plan. The Passover was the most significant feast, commemorating Israel's liberation from slavery. God ordained that Jesus, the Lamb of God, would be sacrificed precisely during this festival.
Ask a follow-up
The Contrast of Symbols
God ensured Jesus would be crucified during Passover to powerfully connect His sacrifice to the Old Testament Passover lamb. The 'figure' (the lamb) was to give way to the 'truth' (Christ's sacrifice) that very week. Their attempt to delay was ultimately thwarted by Judas's betrayal, which accelerated the plan, bringing God's redemptive purpose to fruition on the appointed day.
Even when human leaders act out of fear and malice, God works through their schemes to accomplish His perfect, redemptive will.
Understand the original words
heortē · Greek Noun
An annual religious celebration or set of days designated for communal worship, joy, or remembrance before God.
The timing of Jesus' arrest was a strategic decision by the Jewish leadership, balancing their desire to eliminate a perceived threat with the very real risk of inciting a riot among the Passover pilgrims.
c. AD 30— this verse
Jesus' Popularity in Jerusalem
Jesus enters Jerusalem during Passover week, hailed by crowds. His popularity and miracles cause significant unrest among the religious authorities.
c. AD 30
Jewish Council Convenes
The chief priests, scribes, and elders meet secretly to plot Jesus' arrest and execution, fearing his influence over the masses.
c. AD 30
Passover Feast Begins
The week-long Passover festival commences, drawing hundreds of thousands of pilgrims to Jerusalem. This massive gathering amplifies fears of public disturbance.
c. AD 30
Judas Iscariot's Betrayal
Judas Iscariot, one of Jesus' disciples, approaches the authorities and offers to betray Jesus for a sum of money.
c. AD 30
Jesus' Arrest
Following Judas's guidance, temple guards and authorities arrest Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane.
c. AD 30
Jesus' Crucifixion
Jesus is condemned and crucified by Roman authorities, likely outside the city walls but during the Passover week.
This passage describes the institution of the Passover feast, a time of remembrance and a shadow of Christ's sacrifice, highlighting the importance of the timing they sought to avoid.
John 11:47-48This verse explains the leaders' fear of Jesus' popularity and the potential uproar His popularity could cause among the masses, directly relating to the reason given in Matthew 26:5 for their caution.
Acts 12:3-4This passage shows a similar fear of public unrest among Jewish leaders when considering actions against early Christians, demonstrating a recurring theme of concern over popular opinion when dealing with perceived threats.
Luke 19:47-48This verse describes how Jesus' popularity and teaching in the temple caused fear and a desire to destroy Him among the chief priests and scribes, mirroring the sentiment expressed in Matthew 26:5.
calvinMatthew 26:1-13: "And it came to pass, when Jesus had finished all these sayings, he said unto his disciples,"
- And it happened when Jesus had finished all these discourses, he said to his disciples, 2. You know that after two days is the passover; and the Son of man is betrayed to be crucified. 3. Then were assembled the chief priests, and scribes, and elders of the people, in the palace of the high priest, who was called Caiaphas, 4. And entered into consultation how they would take Jesus b…
clarkeMatthew 26:5: "But they said, Not on the feast day, lest there be an uproar among the people."
Not on the feast day, lest there be an uproar - It was usual for the Jews to punish criminals at the public festivals; but in this case they were afraid of an insurrection, as our Lord had become very popular. The providence of God directed it thus, for the reason given in the preceding note. He who observes a festival on motives purely human violates it in his heart, and is a hypocrite before God. It…
The rulers' decision "Not during the feast" reveals they feared the immense crowds more than they respected the sacred festival. Their primary concern wasn't religious observance, but public order and their own safety, demonstrating how their agenda prioritized political control over divine timing.
With Passover just two days away, the religious leaders are plotting to arrest Jesus and kill him, but they fear the massive crowds gathered in Jerusalem for the festival. They decide they must wait until after the feast to avoid a riot among the people who see Jesus as a prophet.
With Passover just two days away, the religious leaders are plotting to arrest Jesus and kill him, but they fear the massive crowds gathered in Jerusalem for the festival. They decide they must wait until after the feast to avoid a riot among the people who see Jesus as a prophet.
"But they said, “Not during the feast, lest there be an uproar among the people.”" — The rulers' decision "Not during the feast" reveals they feared the immense crowds more than they respected the sacred festival. Their primary concern wasn't religious observance, but public order an…
Get the original Greek and Hebrew, verse-by-verse context, and related passages inside the app.
Last reviewed October 2026