Mark 12:12
◄  Mark 12:12  ►
New International Version (©2011)
Then the chief priests, the teachers of the law and the elders looked for a way to arrest him because they knew he had spoken the parable against them. But they were afraid of the crowd; so they left him and went away.

New Living Translation (©2007)
The religious leaders wanted to arrest Jesus because they realized he was telling the story against them--they were the wicked farmers. But they were afraid of the crowd, so they left him and went away.

English Standard Version (©2001)
And they were seeking to arrest him but feared the people, for they perceived that he had told the parable against them. So they left him and went away.

New American Standard Bible (©1995)
And they were seeking to seize Him, and yet they feared the people, for they understood that He spoke the parable against them. And so they left Him and went away.

King James Bible (Cambridge Ed.)
And they sought to lay hold on him, but feared the people: for they knew that he had spoken the parable against them: and they left him, and went their way.

Holman Christian Standard Bible (©2009)
Because they knew He had said this parable against them, they were looking for a way to arrest Him, but they were afraid of the crowd. So they left Him and went away.

International Standard Version (©2012)
They were trying to arrest him but were afraid of the crowd. Realizing that he had spoken this parable against them, they left him alone and went away.

NET Bible (©2006)
Now they wanted to arrest him (but they feared the crowd), because they realized that he told this parable against them. So they left him and went away.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English (©2010)
And they were seeking to seize him and they were afraid of the people, for they knew that he had spoken this parable about them and they left him and departed.

GOD'S WORD® Translation (©1995)
They wanted to arrest him but were afraid of the crowd. They knew that he had directed this illustration at them. So they left him alone and went away.

King James 2000 Bible (©2003)
And they sought to lay hold on him, but feared the people: for they knew that he had spoken the parable against them: and they left him, and went their way.

American King James Version
And they sought to lay hold on him, but feared the people: for they knew that he had spoken the parable against them: and they left him, and went their way.

American Standard Version
And they sought to lay hold on him; and they feared the multitude; for they perceived that he spake the parable against them: and they left him, and went away.

Douay-Rheims Bible
And they sought to lay hands on him, but they feared the people. For they knew that he spoke this parable to them. And leaving him, they went their way.

Darby Bible Translation
And they sought to lay hold of him, and they feared the crowd; for they knew that he had spoken the parable of them. And they left him and went away.

English Revised Version
And they sought to lay hold on him; and they feared the multitude; for they perceived that he spake the parable against them: and they left him, and went away.

Webster's Bible Translation
And they sought to lay hold on him, but feared the people; for they knew that he had spoken the parable against them: and they left him, and departed.

Weymouth New Testament
And they kept looking out for an opportunity to seize Him, but were afraid of the people; for they saw that in this parable He had referred to *them*. So they left Him and went away.

World English Bible
They tried to seize him, but they feared the multitude; for they perceived that he spoke the parable against them. They left him, and went away.

Young's Literal Translation
And they were seeking to lay hold on him, and they feared the multitude, for they knew that against them he spake the simile, and having left him, they went away;

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary

12:1-12 Christ showed in parables, that he would lay aside the Jewish church. It is sad to think what base usage God's faithful ministers have met with in all ages, from those who have enjoyed the privileges of the church, but have not brought forth fruit answerable. God at length sent his Son, his Well-beloved; and it might be expected that he whom their Master loved, they also should respect and love; but instead of honouring him because he was the Son and Heir, they therefore hated him. But the exaltation of Christ was the Lord's doing; and it is his doing to exalt him in our hearts, and to set up his throne there; and if this be done, it cannot but be marvellous in our eyes. The Scriptures, and faithful preachers, and the coming of Christ in the flesh, call on us to render due praise to God in our lives. Let sinners beware of a proud, carnal spirit; if they revile or despise the preachers of Christ, they would have done so their Master, had they lived when he was upon earth.

Pulpit Commentary

Verse 12. - The scribes and Pharisees knew, partly from the words of this psalm, and partly from the looks of Christ, that they were spoken against them. So they sought in their rage and malice to lay hold on him; but they feared the people, with whom he was still popular. Thus, however, by his rebuke of the scribes and Pharisees, he prepared the way for that death which, within three days, they brought upon him. And the counsel of God was fulfilled for the redemption of men by the blood of Christ.

Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible

They sought to lay held on him,.... That is, the chief priests, Scribes, and elders, after they had heard the parables he spake to them, were greatly irritated, and provoked, and had a good will to have seized him, and carried him away, and have had him before their court, and condemn him:

but feared the people; lest they should rise up in his defence, and fall on them; for many of them liked; and were attached to his ministry; and others had received favours of one kind or another from him through his miracles:

for they knew that he had spoken the parable against them: and that they were the husbandmen designed, who had not brought the fruit of the vineyard to their lord, but had ill treated his servants, and would his son.

And they left him; in the temple, not daring to do any thing to him:

and went their way; to their council chamber, perhaps to consult what measures to take, and how to destroy him.

Mark 12:12 Parallel Commentaries

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The Parable of the Wicked Tenants
…10And have you not read this scripture; The stone which the builders rejected is become the head of the corner: 11This was the Lord's doing, and it is marvelous in our eyes? 12And they sought to lay hold on him, but feared the people: for they knew that he had spoken the parable against them: and they left him, and went their way.

Matthew 22:22 When they heard this, they were amazed. So they left him and went away.
Mark 11:18 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.