Luke 22 2

Luke 22:2 kjv

And the chief priests and scribes sought how they might kill him; for they feared the people.

Luke 22:2 nkjv

And the chief priests and the scribes sought how they might kill Him, for they feared the people.

Luke 22:2 niv

and the chief priests and the teachers of the law were looking for some way to get rid of Jesus, for they were afraid of the people.

Luke 22:2 esv

And the chief priests and the scribes were seeking how to put him to death, for they feared the people.

Luke 22:2 nlt

The leading priests and teachers of religious law were plotting how to kill Jesus, but they were afraid of the people's reaction.

Luke 22 verses

Luke 22 2 Meaning

This verse describes the determined and ongoing effort by the Jewish religious leadership – the chief priests and the scribes – to orchestrate Jesus's death. Their primary motivation for this deadly plot was their profound fear of the common people, who held Jesus in high regard and might revolt if He were apprehended openly.

Luke 22 2 Context

Luke 22:2 appears at a critical juncture in Jesus's ministry, marking the immediate lead-up to His Passion. Chapter 22 begins by stating that the Feast of Unleavened Bread, or Passover, was "approaching" (v. 1). This annual pilgrimage festival, which brought a vast multitude to Jerusalem, presented a strategic challenge for the Jewish religious elite. For them, Jesus was a dangerous figure who undermined their authority and teachings, potentially threatening the stability of Roman-occupied Judea, particularly through His immense popularity with the crowds. Therefore, their fear of the people—who regarded Jesus as a prophet, if not the Messiah—drove them to seek a way to kill Him without sparking a public disturbance. This verse underscores the deep animosity the spiritual leaders held towards Jesus and sets the stage for the clandestine plots that follow, leading to His arrest and crucifixion during this very significant festival.

Luke 22 2 Word analysis

• And (δέ - de): A transitional particle, linking this verse to the preceding context (the approaching Passover) and signaling the action taken by the religious leaders in light of it. It subtly contrasts their plotting with the holy season.
• the chief priests (οἱ ἀρχιερεῖς - hoi archiereis): Refers to the powerful aristocratic families who held the high priesthood, largely Sadducees, responsible for Temple administration and finances. They held significant political and religious authority, often collaborating with Roman rule, making them deeply concerned about public order and their own status.
• and the scribes (καὶ οἱ γραμματεῖς - kai hoi grammateis): Experts in the Mosaic Law, interpreters of scripture, and teachers, often associated with the Pharisees. They held religious and legal influence and generally opposed Jesus's interpretation of the Law and His authority. Their inclusion here signifies a broad-based opposition from both major factions of the Jewish religious establishment.
• were seeking (ἐζήτουν - ezētoun): Imperfect tense of zēteō ("to seek, to look for, to try to obtain"). This grammatical tense implies an ongoing, persistent, and deliberate effort or continuous activity. It was not a sudden decision but a prolonged plotting, emphasizing their determination and desperation to find a way to kill Jesus.
• how (πως - pōs): An adverb inquiring "how" or "by what means." It highlights the dilemma faced by the leaders: the intention was clear, but the method was the challenge due to Jesus's popularity. They needed a surreptitious plan.
• to put him to death (ἀνέλωσιν - anelosn, from ἀναιρέω - anaireō): Literally means "to take up," "to take away," but frequently used in the context of taking away a life, i.e., "to kill" or "to destroy." It signifies their ultimate goal: the complete and permanent elimination of Jesus.
• for (γὰρ - gar): A causal conjunction, introducing the reason or explanation for their seeking to kill Jesus.
• they feared (ἐφοβοῦντο - ephobounto): Imperfect tense of phobeomai ("to fear, to be afraid of"). Similar to "were seeking," the imperfect tense indicates a continuous or ongoing state of fear. This fear was a pervasive and powerful motivation driving their actions.
• the people (τὸν λαόν - ton laon): Refers to the Jewish populace, the common crowds. Their fear of "the people" stemmed from concerns that a public arrest or execution of Jesus would incite a riot or popular uprising, which could then provoke a harsh Roman crackdown, further destabilizing their already delicate political position and jeopardizing their authority.

• "The chief priests and the scribes": This grouping represents the combined religious and legal authority of Jerusalem, particularly the Sanhedrin, which sought to maintain the status quo. Their unity in opposing Jesus highlights the severe threat they perceived Him to be to their established order.
• "were seeking how to put him to death": This phrase reveals the malicious intent and calculated plotting of the religious leaders. It's not just a passing thought, but a deliberate strategizing session. The challenge was how to accomplish it safely.
• "for they feared the people": This provides the crucial motivation and dictates their clandestine method. Their fear of popular backlash demonstrates Jesus's strong influence and also highlights the leaders' prioritization of self-preservation and political stability over justice or truth. It shows their leadership was based on worldly power dynamics rather than spiritual righteousness. This also ironically contributed to fulfilling God's plan, as their fear led them to seek a discreet method, paving the way for Judas's betrayal.

Luke 22 2 Bonus section

• Contrast of Motivations: While the religious leaders acted out of fear for earthly power and fear of the people, Jesus was fulfilling God's will, acting out of love for humanity. Their fear directly facilitated God's plan, albeit through their sin, leading them to betray Jesus covertly instead of publicly executing Him, aligning with prophetic descriptions of the suffering servant.
• Theocratic Paradox: The very custodians of the Law and the Temple were attempting to unlawfully execute the one who embodied the Law and was the ultimate Temple. Their "fear of the people" (Luke's emphasis) prevented them from acting openly, but ironically, this fear also propelled them into a more insidious plot that involved betrayal and clandestine proceedings, rather than a just trial.
• Fulfillment of Prophecy: The rejection of the Messiah by Israel's leadership was foretold (e.g., Ps 118:22, Is 53:3). This verse explicitly names the groups fulfilling this role.

Luke 22 2 Commentary

Luke 22:2 vividly illustrates the depth of the religious establishment's hostility towards Jesus Christ. The chief priests and scribes, representing the pinnacle of Jewish spiritual and legal authority, were actively and persistently plotting His demise. This wasn't a snap decision but an ongoing search for a viable strategy. Their central dilemma wasn't whether to kill Jesus, but how to do it without inciting the very crowds that revered Him. Their profound fear of "the people" was the overriding factor, compelling them towards a surreptitious plot, away from public view. This fear exposes the hypocrisy of their leadership, valuing their own positions and public order above truth and God's will. Their focus was entirely earthly—preventing social unrest and preserving their power—blind to the divine drama unfolding. This verse thus sets the dark stage for the betrayal and passion of Christ, orchestrated by human malice yet divinely purposed.