Matthew 12 14

Matthew 12:14 kjv

Then the Pharisees went out, and held a council against him, how they might destroy him.

Matthew 12:14 nkjv

Then the Pharisees went out and plotted against Him, how they might destroy Him.

Matthew 12:14 niv

But the Pharisees went out and plotted how they might kill Jesus.

Matthew 12:14 esv

But the Pharisees went out and conspired against him, how to destroy him.

Matthew 12:14 nlt

Then the Pharisees called a meeting to plot how to kill Jesus.

Matthew 12 verses

Matthew 12 14 Meaning

Matthew 12:14 describes a pivotal moment where the religious leaders' opposition to Jesus intensifies from theological debate to a deadly conspiracy. Following Jesus' healing of a man with a withered hand on the Sabbath, the Pharisees immediately convened a private council with the intent to devise a plan to eliminate Him, either by killing Him or completely undermining His ministry and authority. This verse marks a significant escalation in their hostility, revealing their hardened hearts and their prioritization of human tradition over God's compassion and the divine authority of Jesus.

Matthew 12 14 Context

This verse is situated immediately after Jesus heals a man with a withered hand on the Sabbath, inside a synagogue. The Pharisees had been observing Him closely, attempting to catch Him breaking their rigid interpretation of the Sabbath law (Mt 12:9-10). When Jesus questions them, "Is it lawful on the Sabbath to do good or to do evil, to save life or to kill?" (Mk 3:4, Lk 6:9) and then proceeds to heal the man, their previous questioning escalates into open hostility. This event is a culmination of earlier Sabbath disputes, where Jesus' actions (His disciples picking grain, His healing) were perceived by the Pharisees as violations of the Law, but were in fact acts of compassion and demonstrations of His divine authority as "Lord of the Sabbath." The immediate, unified, and destructive reaction of the Pharisees highlights the deep ideological chasm between Jesus' new covenant of grace and their adherence to a burdensome legalism and tradition. This plot sets the stage for the increasing attempts on Jesus' life that culminate in His crucifixion.

Matthew 12 14 Word analysis

• Then (Τότε - tote): This Greek adverb signifies an immediate temporal sequence, indicating that the Pharisees' action was a direct and immediate consequence of Jesus healing the man on the Sabbath. It marks a swift reaction and a significant turning point in the narrative.
• the Pharisees (οἱ Φαρισαῖοι - hoi Pharisaioi): A prominent Jewish religious and political party in the Second Temple period. Their name likely derives from the Aramaic "perishaya," meaning "separated ones." They emphasized strict adherence to the Mosaic Law, especially oral tradition (Halakha), striving for ritual purity and applying priestly standards to daily life for all Jews. They saw themselves as guardians of Jewish piety but often prioritized their interpretations and traditions over the spirit of the Law and human compassion, leading to frequent conflict with Jesus.
• went out (ἐξελθόντες - exelthontes): Literally "having gone out" or "departed." This indicates they left the immediate scene (the synagogue where the healing took place), implying a strategic withdrawal to a more private place where they could confer and plan without immediate witnesses. It signifies a deliberate separation from the public debate to a private conspiracy.
• and held a counsel (καὶ συμβούλιον ἔλαβον - kai symboulion elabon): Literally "and took counsel" or "held a consultation." Symboulion refers to a formal meeting or discussion for deliberation and making decisions, often related to governmental or official matters. Elabon (from lambanō, "to take" or "receive") emphasizes a deliberate, intentional act of forming a plan. This was not a spontaneous outburst of anger, but a premeditated, organized decision-making process.
• against Him (κατ᾽ αὐτοῦ - kat' autou): The preposition kata ("against") unequivocally demonstrates the hostile and adversarial nature of their counsel. Their plot was specifically directed at Jesus, indicating a deep personal animosity and rejection of His authority.
• how they might destroy Him (ὅπως αὐτὸν ἀπολέσωσιν - hopōs auton apolesōsin):
  • how (ὅπως - hopōs): Expresses purpose or manner, indicating their primary objective in taking counsel.
  • destroy (ἀπολέσωσιν - apolesōsin): From apollumi, a strong verb meaning "to destroy utterly," "to ruin," "to kill," "to perish." This reveals the extreme nature of their malice. They didn't just want to discredit Him, silence Him, or drive Him away; their goal was His complete ruin or death. This suggests they recognized the profound threat Jesus posed to their authority and established order.

Words-group Analysis:

• "the Pharisees went out and held a counsel against Him": This phrase paints a picture of unified, determined, and strategic opposition. Their "going out" signifies moving from public dispute to a covert plotting. The "counsel" shows a deliberate, concerted effort by a significant religious-political group, not just individual grumbling, highlighting the institutionalized nature of their rejection of Jesus.
• "how they might destroy Him": This phrase directly states the murderous intent. It is the chilling outcome of their deliberations. Their rage against Jesus' compassion and Sabbath authority led them to seek nothing less than His utter annihilation, revealing a complete absence of divine love or mercy in their legalistic system.

Matthew 12 14 Bonus section

The conspiracy documented in Matthew 12:14 by the Pharisees also potentially involved the "Herodians" as mentioned in Mark 3:6. The Herodians were a political party, loyal to Herod Antipas, who were generally more secular and aligned with Roman authority, unlike the religiously zealous Pharisees. Their unusual alliance against Jesus suggests the extreme threat they both perceived in His ministry: the Pharisees felt a threat to their religious authority and interpretations, while the Herodians might have viewed Jesus as a potential revolutionary or challenge to political stability. This unusual coalition underscores the intensity and widespread nature of the opposition Jesus faced, bringing together otherwise disparate groups for the common goal of His elimination. This moment sets in motion a chain of events that leads directly to the arrest, trial, and crucifixion of Jesus, emphasizing the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies regarding the suffering Messiah.

Matthew 12 14 Commentary

Matthew 12:14 is a critical turning point in the narrative of Jesus' public ministry. Up until this point, the conflicts with the Pharisees, while often heated, largely remained on a theological or argumentative level regarding interpretations of the Law and tradition. Here, the immediate and calculated response of "holding a counsel" signifies a dangerous escalation. The phrase "how they might destroy Him" reveals a murderous intent, transforming their intellectual disagreement into a deadly conspiracy.

This act of malice stems from a deep-seated antagonism. Jesus’ compassion for human need, particularly on the Sabbath, directly challenged their rigid legalism and traditional authority. Their concern was not truly for the sanctity of the Sabbath as God intended it (a day of rest and renewal), but for the preservation of their power and their intricate system of man-made rules. They prioritized their external purity rituals and societal control over the inner character of God's law – love, mercy, and faith. The very act of plotting to kill a man in the name of upholding a commandment underscores their spiritual blindness and hypocrisy. This verse thus foreshadows Jesus' ultimate rejection and crucifixion, showcasing that the forces of opposition, rooted in human pride and religious legalism, had begun their deliberate machinations for His death. It highlights the profound contrast between Jesus, who embodies the life-giving grace of God, and those religious leaders consumed by the letter of the law and blinded by their own authority.