Mark 14 2

Mark 14:2 kjv

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

Mark 14:2 nkjv

But they said, "Not during the feast, lest there be an uproar of the people."

Mark 14:2 niv

"But not during the festival," they said, "or the people may riot."

Mark 14:2 esv

for they said, "Not during the feast, lest there be an uproar from the people."

Mark 14:2 nlt

"But not during the Passover celebration," they agreed, "or the people may riot."

Mark 14 verses

Mark 14 2 Meaning

This verse reveals the immediate strategy of the chief priests and scribes regarding their plot to kill Jesus. Despite their previous agreement (Mark 14:1), they decided against arresting Him during the Passover festival. Their primary concern was the immense popularity of Jesus among the large crowds of pilgrims gathered in Jerusalem, fearing that an attempt to seize Him publicly would provoke a riot among the people, leading to civil unrest and potentially severe Roman intervention. Their decision was based on political expediency and self-preservation, prioritizing peace and their own authority over immediate action.

Mark 14 2 Context

Mark chapter 14 begins with the chief priests and scribes actively plotting to kill Jesus, initially seeking to do so by stealth. This verse directly follows that stated intention, revealing their immediate tactical dilemma. Historically, Jerusalem during Passover was a bustling metropolis swelled by hundreds of thousands of Jewish pilgrims from across the Roman Empire. These pilgrims held strong nationalistic and messianic hopes. Jesus, having recently entered Jerusalem triumphantly (Mark 11:1-11) and demonstrated authority in the Temple (Mark 11:15-19), was extremely popular among many of these people, particularly the Galileans. The Jewish authorities, under Roman occupation, were highly sensitive to public order. Any widespread civil disturbance could prompt harsh suppression by Roman forces, potentially costing the Jewish leadership their fragile autonomy and privileges. Thus, their fear of a "riot" was a genuine political concern, leading them to delay immediate public action against Jesus, unwittingly setting the stage for His arrest by betrayal.

Mark 14 2 Word analysis

• But: (δὲ, de) This conjunction introduces a contrast or a slight shift in focus from the previous verse. It highlights that despite their resolve to kill Jesus (Mark 14:1), they immediately faced a tactical obstacle regarding the timing.
• they said: Refers to the collective decision-making of the "chief priests and the scribes" mentioned in Mark 14:1. These groups represented the religious and political establishment within Judaism at the time, operating under Roman oversight.
• Not during the festival: (μὴ ἐν τῇ ἑορτῇ, mē en tē heortē)
  • Not: (μὴ, mē) A negative particle, expressing prohibition or condition, underscoring their decision to avoid this specific timing.
  • during the festival: (ἐν τῇ ἑορτῇ, en tē heortē) The term heortē (ἑορτῇ) here specifically denotes the Passover feast, which immediately blends into the Feast of Unleavened Bread. This was the most sacred and politically sensitive time of the Jewish year, attracting massive numbers of pilgrims to Jerusalem. It commemorates Israel's liberation from Egypt and fosters a powerful sense of national and religious identity.
• or there may be: (μήποτε, mēpote) This term indicates apprehension, expressing the reason for their decision and implying their fear ("lest perhaps," "for fear that"). It shows their foresight regarding potential negative consequences.
• a riot: (θόρυβος, thorubos) This Greek word means "tumult," "commotion," "uproar," or "disorder." In a political context, it refers to public disturbances or a riot. The Jewish leadership genuinely feared civil unrest. A large-scale public uprising, especially concerning a popular figure like Jesus, could lead to severe repercussions from the Roman authorities, jeopardizing their position and potentially leading to widespread suffering for the Jewish people.
• among the people: (τοῦ λαοῦ, tou laou) Refers to the Jewish populace, specifically the throngs of pilgrims gathered for the Passover. Many in these crowds viewed Jesus as a prophet or even the Messiah, making them likely to react unfavorably to His public arrest. The leaders understood His grassroots popularity.

Mark 14 2 Bonus section

This verse subtly introduces an important tension between human planning and divine sovereignty. While the Jewish leaders sought to avoid public uproar and carefully control the timing of Jesus' demise for political reasons, their decision unwittingly contributes to the fulfillment of God's redemptive plan. The "fear of the people" driving their postponement is an ironic contrast to Jesus' fearless obedience to God's will, which ultimately leads Him directly to Jerusalem for Passover, His destined hour. Furthermore, their perceived vulnerability to public sentiment highlights Jesus' unique influence: He was not a hidden leader but a public figure, recognized and esteemed by the very people the authorities feared. This also underscores the corrupt nature of their authority; rather than leading justly, they operated out of fear and political preservation, a theme often contrasted with the servant leadership Jesus exemplified.

Mark 14 2 Commentary

Mark 14:2 provides crucial insight into the human machinations surrounding Jesus' arrest and crucifixion. The chief priests and scribes, driven by a desire to eliminate Jesus, faced a pragmatic dilemma: His immense popularity made a public arrest too risky. Their fear of "a riot among the people" highlights their political savvy and their subservience to Roman authority, which demanded civic peace. They were more concerned with maintaining social order and their own power structure than with dispensing justice or discerning divine truth. This human calculus to avoid arresting Jesus during the festival ironically sets the stage for His arrest by betrayal through Judas, allowing His capture to occur under cover of darkness and away from the admiring crowds. This seemingly pragmatic decision by the Jewish leaders aligns, through divine providence, with the greater biblical narrative: the lamb for sacrifice needed to be secured, and though human planning aimed for political convenience, God's perfect timing ensured Jesus would be crucified precisely during Passover, as the ultimate sacrificial Lamb. Their fear of a superficial "riot" unwittingly paved the way for a deeper, cosmic disruption—the atonement through the cross.