Mark 11 18

Mark 11:18 kjv

And the scribes and chief priests heard it, and sought how they might destroy him: for they feared him, because all the people was astonished at his doctrine.

Mark 11:18 nkjv

And the scribes and chief priests heard it and sought how they might destroy Him; for they feared Him, because all the people were astonished at His teaching.

Mark 11:18 niv

The chief priests and the teachers of the law heard this and began looking for a way to kill him, for they feared him, because the whole crowd was amazed at his teaching.

Mark 11:18 esv

And the chief priests and the scribes heard it and were seeking a way to destroy him, for they feared him, because all the crowd was astonished at his teaching.

Mark 11:18 nlt

When the leading priests and teachers of religious law heard what Jesus had done, they began planning how to kill him. But they were afraid of him because the people were so amazed at his teaching.

Mark 11 verses

Mark 11 18 Meaning

Mark 11:18 reveals the growing, deadly opposition from Jerusalem's chief religious authorities against Jesus following His actions and teachings in the Temple. Hearing about His profound impact, especially His recent cleansing of the Temple, the chief priests and scribes conspired to eliminate Him. Their motive was not righteous indignation, but fear: Jesus' authoritative teaching and the people's astonishment at it threatened their established power and influence.

Mark 11 18 Context

Mark 11:18 falls within the "Passion Week" narrative, specifically the second day in Jerusalem. Just prior, Jesus had triumphantly entered Jerusalem (Mark 11:1-11) and, on the day of this verse's immediate context, had dramatically cleansed the Temple, overturning tables of money changers and driving out merchants (Mark 11:15-17). He then asserted the Temple's purpose as a "house of prayer for all nations," condemning its commercialization. This verse immediately follows His daily teaching in the Temple (Mark 11:19 notes He would leave the city in the evening). Therefore, the "it" the chief priests and scribes "heard" encompasses Jesus' recent actions, particularly the Temple cleansing, and the continuation of His authoritative teaching which garnered immense popular support, directly challenging their authority and control over the Temple and the populace. Historically, the chief priests, often Sadducees, held significant political and economic power within the Temple system under Roman oversight, while the scribes, often Pharisees, were the esteemed interpreters of the Law. Jesus' actions threatened both groups' influence and perceived order.

Mark 11 18 Word analysis

• And (καί - kai): Connects Jesus' public actions and teachings (Mark 11:15-17) directly to the reaction of the authorities. It signals a consequence.

• the chief priests (οἱ ἀρχιερεῖς - hoi archiereis): Refers to the powerful aristocratic Jewish families who held positions in the temple hierarchy, including the current and former high priests and their relatives. They were largely Sadducees, focused on Temple rites, wealth, and maintaining stability with Rome. Their primary concern was power and preservation of their status.

• and the scribes (καὶ οἱ γραμματεῖς - kai hoi grammateis): Experts in the Jewish Law, serving as teachers and legal interpreters. Often associated with the Pharisees, they emphasized strict adherence to the Law and traditions. Their authority was rooted in their knowledge of scripture and tradition, which Jesus openly challenged with His direct, unmediated authority.

• heard it (ἤκουσαν - ēkousan): Signifies they received intelligence, perhaps reports, about Jesus' actions in the Temple and His ongoing teaching. This was not a passive hearing but information that spurred a specific reaction.

• and were seeking how (καὶ ἐζήτουν πῶς - kai ezētoun pōs): The imperfect tense "were seeking" (ἐζήτουν) indicates a continuous, deliberate, and sustained effort or plotting. "How" (πῶς) suggests they were actively devising a plan or method, emphasizing their calculated malice.

• to destroy him (ἀπολέσωσιν αὐτόν - apolesōsin auton): Lit. "to utterly destroy him," indicating a desire for complete annihilation, which in this context means to kill Him. This reveals the extreme nature of their hatred and perceived threat Jesus posed. It signifies more than just silencing or discrediting Him; it was a murderous intent.

• for they feared him (ἐφοβοῦντο γὰρ αὐτόν - ephobounto gar auton): "For" (γάρ) indicates the reason or explanation for their seeking to destroy Him. Their "fear" (ἐφοβοῦντο) was not reverent awe but rather a deep, strategic apprehension regarding losing their own influence and control over the people and potentially Roman authorities. This fear was selfish and worldly.

• because (ὅτι - hoti): Introduces the reason why they feared Jesus.

• all the multitude (πᾶς ὁ ὄχλος - pas ho ochlos): Emphasizes the widespread nature of Jesus' popular support. "All" underscores that His teaching captivated not just a few, but the entire populace present. This general acclaim was a source of great anxiety for the authorities.

• was astonished (ἐξεπλήσσετο - exepleisseto): The imperfect tense here indicates a sustained state of amazement and wonder. The verb itself (ekplēssomai) suggests a reaction of being utterly overwhelmed, struck with awe or amazement, often implying a powerful emotional impact and an admission of superior insight or authority.

• at his teaching (ἐπὶ τῇ διδαχῇ αὐτοῦ - epi tē didachē autou): The direct object of their astonishment. It was not just Jesus' miracles or actions, but the substance and authority of what He taught. His "teaching" (διδαχῇ) was recognized as distinct and superior to that of the conventional religious leaders (Mark 1:22).

• "chief priests and scribes": This phrase encapsulates the combined religious and legal authority of the Jewish establishment that consistently opposed Jesus. Their unity here highlights a common goal despite their internal differences (e.g., Sadducees vs. Pharisees).

• "were seeking how to destroy him": This phrase points to a calculated conspiracy and malicious intent. It's not a momentary anger, but a systematic effort to eliminate a perceived threat.

• "for they feared him, because all the multitude was astonished at his teaching": This is a pivotal cause-and-effect relationship. The leaders' fear was driven by Jesus' popular appeal, which in turn was based on the compelling nature of His teaching. Their concern was losing control over the masses, which threatened their power and privileged position within the social and political structure. The "fear of man" superseded any fear of God.

Mark 11 18 Bonus section

• The irony in this verse is profound: the very spiritual leaders of God's people were consumed by a fear of losing human praise and power, which led them to seek to kill the Messiah, the one through whom God's ultimate plan of salvation would unfold. Their fear of man, specifically the common multitude, overshadowed any potential fear of God.
• The phrase "all the multitude was astonished at his teaching" sets Jesus apart from the conventional religious instructors. The authority of His teaching, highlighted by the crowd's amazement (Mk 1:22), presented a fundamental challenge to the scribes whose authority relied on interpretation of past tradition rather than fresh, living truth.
• This verse foreshadows the ultimate conflict that will culminate in Jesus' crucifixion, but also reveals why the leaders could not immediately arrest Him – they were constrained by the people's support, necessitating a more cunning and covert plot. This "fear of the crowd" becomes a recurring theme in the final days of Jesus' ministry.

Mark 11 18 Commentary

Mark 11:18 encapsulates the fundamental conflict between the Kingdom of God, embodied by Jesus, and the corrupted religious establishment of the time. The chief priests and scribes, the custodians of the Law and the Temple, ironically became the chief antagonists of God's Son. Their motive for seeking Jesus' destruction was not a pure theological conviction about His identity, but rather a profound, self-serving fear. They feared His immense popularity and the public's astonished reception of His teaching because it directly challenged their spiritual and political authority, and thus their very existence and control. Jesus’ actions in the Temple, coupled with His authoritative teaching that resonated deeply with the common people (in stark contrast to their own), painted Him as an uncontrollable revolutionary in their eyes. Their fear ultimately led them down a path of darkness and sin, culminating in the unjust trial and crucifixion of the Messiah, revealing how deeply worldly ambition and fear can corrupt even those dedicated to religious roles. This verse highlights that genuine spiritual authority is marked by truth and transformation, drawing people, rather than maintaining power through fear and control.