Mark 12:12
New International Version
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
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
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.

Berean Standard Bible
At this, the leaders sought to arrest Jesus, for they knew that He had spoken this parable against them. But fearing the crowd, they left Him and went away.

Berean Literal Bible
And they were seeking to lay hold of Him, and yet they feared the crowd; for they knew that He had spoken the parable against them. And having left Him, they went away.

King James Bible
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.

New King James Version
And they sought to lay hands on Him, but feared the multitude, for they knew He had spoken the parable against them. So they left Him and went away.

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

NASB 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.

NASB 1977
And they were seeking to seize Him; and yet they feared the multitude; for they understood that He spoke the parable against them. And so they left Him, and went away.

Legacy Standard Bible
And they were seeking to seize Him, and yet they feared the crowd, for they understood that He spoke the parable against them. And so they left Him and went away.

Amplified Bible
And they were looking for a way to seize Him, but they were afraid of the crowd; for they knew that He spoke this parable in reference to [and as a charge against] them. And so they left Him and went away.

Christian Standard Bible
They were looking for a way to arrest him but feared the crowd because they knew he had spoken this parable against them. So they left him and went away.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
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.

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.

Contemporary English Version
The leaders knew that Jesus was really talking about them, and they wanted to arrest him. But because they were afraid of the crowd, they let him alone and left.

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.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
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.

Good News Translation
The Jewish leaders tried to arrest Jesus, because they knew that he had told this parable against them. But they were afraid of the crowd, so they left him and went away.

International Standard Version
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.

Majority Standard Bible
At this, the leaders sought to arrest Jesus, for they knew that He had spoken this parable against them. But fearing the crowd, they left Him and went away.

NET Bible
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.

New Heart English Bible
They tried to seize him, but they feared the crowd; for they perceived that he spoke the parable against them. 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.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And they were seeking to lay hold on Him, and they feared the multitude, for they knew that He spoke the allegory against them, and having left Him, they went away;

Berean Literal Bible
And they were seeking to lay hold of Him, and yet they feared the crowd; for they knew that He had spoken the parable against them. And having left Him, they 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;

Smith's Literal Translation
And they sought to seize him, and they feared the crowd: for they knew that he spake this parable against them: and having let him go they went away.
Catholic Translations
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.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And they sought to take hold of him, but they feared the crowd. For they knew that he had spoken this parable about them. And leaving him behind, they went away.

New American Bible
They were seeking to arrest him, but they feared the crowd, for they realized that he had addressed the parable to them. So they left him and went away.

New Revised Standard Version
When they realized that he had told this parable against them, they wanted to arrest him, but they feared the crowd. So they left him and went away.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
They wanted to seize him, but they were afraid of the people; for they knew that he spoke this parable against them; and they left him and went away.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
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.
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
And they sought to take him, but feared the multitude; for they knew that he had spoken the parable against them; and they left him, and went away.

Godbey New Testament
And they were seeking to arrest Him; and they feared the multitude; for they knew that He spoke the parable against them. And leaving Him they went away.

Haweis New Testament
And they sought to seize him, and were afraid of the people: for they knew that he had spoken this parable against them: and leaving him, they departed.

Mace New Testament
then they contriv'd how they might seize him, for they perceived, that he applied the parable to them; but for fear of the people they left him, and went away.

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.

Worrell New Testament
And they were seeking to lay hold of Him; and they feared the multitude; for they knew that He spake the parable against them; and, leaving Him, they went away.

Worsley New Testament
And they sought to lay hands on Him, but they were afraid of the people; (for they knew that He spake the parable against them) and they left Him, and went away.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Parable of the Wicked Tenants
11This is from the Lord, and it is marvelous in our eyes’?” 12At this, the leaders sought to arrest Jesus, for they knew that He had spoken this parable against them. But fearing the crowd, they left Him and went away. 13Later, they sent some of the Pharisees and Herodians to catch Jesus in His words.…

Cross References
Matthew 21:45-46
When the chief priests and Pharisees heard His parables, they knew that Jesus was speaking about them. / Although they wanted to arrest Him, they were afraid of the crowds, because the people regarded Him as a prophet.

Luke 20:19
When the scribes and chief priests realized that Jesus had spoken this parable against them, they sought to arrest Him that very hour. But they were afraid of the people.

John 7:25-30
Then some of the people of Jerusalem began to say, “Isn’t this the man they are trying to kill? / Yet here He is, speaking publicly, and they are not saying anything to Him. Have the rulers truly recognized that this is the Christ? / But we know where this man is from. When the Christ comes, no one will know where He is from.” ...

John 11:47-53
Then the chief priests and Pharisees convened the Sanhedrin and said, “What are we to do? This man is performing many signs. / If we let Him go on like this, everyone will believe in Him, and then the Romans will come and take away both our place and our nation.” / But one of them, named Caiaphas, who was high priest that year, said to them, “You know nothing at all! ...

Acts 4:1-3
While Peter and John were speaking to the people, the priests and the captain of the temple guard and the Sadducees came up to them, / greatly disturbed that they were teaching the people and proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection of the dead. / They seized Peter and John, and because it was evening, they put them in custody until the next day.

Acts 5:17-18
Then the high priest and all his associates, who belonged to the party of the Sadducees, were filled with jealousy. They went out / and arrested the apostles and put them in the public jail.

Acts 5:33
When the Council members heard this, they were enraged, and they resolved to put the apostles to death.

Acts 7:54-57
On hearing this, the members of the Sanhedrin were enraged, and they gnashed their teeth at him. / But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, looked intently into heaven and saw the glory of God and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. / “Look,” he said, “I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.” ...

Acts 9:23-25
After many days had passed, the Jews conspired to kill him, / but Saul learned of their plot. Day and night they watched the city gates in order to kill him. / One night, however, his disciples took him and lowered him in a basket through a window in the wall.

Acts 13:45-50
But when the Jews saw the crowds, they were filled with jealousy, and they blasphemously contradicted what Paul was saying. / Then Paul and Barnabas answered them boldly: “It was necessary to speak the word of God to you first. But since you reject it and do not consider yourselves worthy of eternal life, we now turn to the Gentiles. / For this is what the Lord has commanded us: ‘I have made you a light for the Gentiles, to bring salvation to the ends of the earth.’” ...

Acts 14:5-6
But when the Gentiles and Jews, together with their rulers, set out to mistreat and stone them, / they found out about it and fled to the Lycaonian cities of Lystra and Derbe and to the surrounding region,

Acts 17:5-9
The Jews, however, became jealous. So they brought in some troublemakers from the marketplace, formed a mob, and sent the city into an uproar. They raided Jason’s house in search of Paul and Silas, hoping to bring them out to the people. / But when they could not find them, they dragged Jason and some other brothers before the city officials, shouting, “These men who have turned the world upside down have now come here, / and Jason has welcomed them into his home. They are all defying Caesar’s decrees, saying that there is another king, named Jesus!” ...

Acts 21:30-36
The whole city was stirred up, and the people rushed together. They seized Paul and dragged him out of the temple, and at once the gates were shut. / While they were trying to kill him, the commander of the Roman regiment received a report that all Jerusalem was in turmoil. / Immediately he took some soldiers and centurions and ran down to the crowd. When the people saw the commander and the soldiers, they stopped beating Paul. ...

Acts 23:12-15
When daylight came, the Jews formed a conspiracy and bound themselves with an oath not to eat or drink until they had killed Paul. / More than forty of them were involved in this plot. / They went to the chief priests and elders and said, “We have bound ourselves with a solemn oath not to eat anything until we have killed Paul. ...

Acts 25:3
to grant them a concession against Paul by summoning him to Jerusalem, because they were preparing an ambush to kill him along the way.


Treasury of Scripture

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.

feared.

Mark 11:18,32
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…

Matthew 21:26,45,46
But if we shall say, Of men; we fear the people; for all hold John as a prophet…

Luke 20:6,19
But and if we say, Of men; all the people will stone us: for they be persuaded that John was a prophet…

knew.

2 Samuel 12:7
And Nathan said to David, Thou art the man. Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, I anointed thee king over Israel, and I delivered thee out of the hand of Saul;

1 Kings 20:38-41
So the prophet departed, and waited for the king by the way, and disguised himself with ashes upon his face…

1 Kings 21:17-27
And the word of the LORD came to Elijah the Tishbite, saying, …

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Afraid Attempts Departed Fear Feared Hold Kept Lay Multitude Opportunity Parable Perceived Referred Seeking Seize Simile Sought Tried Way
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Afraid Attempts Departed Fear Feared Hold Kept Lay Multitude Opportunity Parable Perceived Referred Seeking Seize Simile Sought Tried Way
Mark 12
1. Jesus tells the parable of the tenants
13. He avoids the snare of the Pharisees and Herodians about paying tribute to Caesar;
18. convicts the Sadducees, who denied the resurrection;
28. resolves the scribe, who questioned of the first commandment;
35. refutes the opinion that the scribes held of the Christ;
38. bidding the people to beware of their ambition and hypocrisy;
41. and commends the poor widow for her two mites, above all.














And they wanted to arrest Him
The phrase "And they wanted to arrest Him" indicates the growing tension between Jesus and the religious leaders. The Greek word for "wanted" (ἐζήτουν, ezētoun) implies a strong desire or intent, reflecting the leaders' increasing hostility. Historically, this animosity stems from Jesus' challenges to their authority and His growing influence among the people. The religious leaders felt threatened by Jesus' teachings and miracles, which exposed their hypocrisy and undermined their control.

but they feared the crowd
The phrase "but they feared the crowd" reveals the leaders' internal conflict. The Greek word for "feared" (ἐφοβοῦντο, ephobounto) suggests a deep apprehension. Despite their desire to arrest Jesus, they were cautious because of the crowd's favorable view of Him. This fear highlights the leaders' awareness of Jesus' popularity and the potential backlash from the people, who saw Him as a prophet and teacher.

because they knew He had spoken this parable against them
The phrase "because they knew He had spoken this parable against them" shows the leaders' understanding of Jesus' message. The Greek word for "knew" (ἔγνωσαν, egnōsan) indicates a clear recognition or realization. Jesus' parables often contained veiled criticisms of the religious elite, and this particular parable (the Parable of the Tenants) was a direct indictment of their failure to lead God's people faithfully. The leaders' awareness of this critique further fueled their desire to silence Him.

So they left Him and went away
The phrase "So they left Him and went away" demonstrates the leaders' temporary retreat. The Greek word for "left" (ἀφέντες, aphentes) conveys a sense of abandoning or letting go. Despite their anger and fear, the leaders chose to withdraw, recognizing that any immediate action against Jesus could provoke the crowd. This retreat underscores the divine protection over Jesus' mission, as His time had not yet come. It also highlights the leaders' inability to act decisively against God's sovereign plan.

(12) They sought to lay hold on him.--The pronoun carries us back to the "chief priests and scribes and elders" of Mark 11:27.

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.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
At this,
Καὶ (Kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

[the leaders] sought
ἐζήτουν (ezētoun)
Verb - Imperfect Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 2212: To seek, search for, desire, require, demand. Of uncertain affinity; to seek; specially, to worship, or to plot.

to arrest
κρατῆσαι (kratēsai)
Verb - Aorist Infinitive Active
Strong's 2902: From kratos; to use strength, i.e. Seize or retain.

[Jesus],
αὐτὸν (auton)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative Masculine 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.

for
γὰρ (gar)
Conjunction
Strong's 1063: For. A primary particle; properly, assigning a reason.

they knew
ἔγνωσαν (egnōsan)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 1097: A prolonged form of a primary verb; to 'know' in a great variety of applications and with many implications.

that
ὅτι (hoti)
Conjunction
Strong's 3754: Neuter of hostis as conjunction; demonstrative, that; causative, because.

He had spoken
εἶπεν (eipen)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 2036: Answer, bid, bring word, command. A primary verb; to speak or say.

[this]
τὴν (tēn)
Article - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

parable
παραβολὴν (parabolēn)
Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 3850: From paraballo; a similitude, i.e. fictitious narrative, apothegm or adage.

against
πρὸς (pros)
Preposition
Strong's 4314: To, towards, with. A strengthened form of pro; a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e. Toward.

them.
αὐτοὺς (autous)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative Masculine 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.

But
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

fearing
ἐφοβήθησαν (ephobēthēsan)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Passive - 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 5399: From phobos; to frighten, i.e. to be alarmed; by analogy, to be in awe of, i.e. Revere.

the
τὸν (ton)
Article - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

crowd,
ὄχλον (ochlon)
Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3793: From a derivative of echo; a throng; by implication, the rabble; by extension, a class of people; figuratively, a riot.

they left
ἀφέντες (aphentes)
Verb - Aorist Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 863: From apo and hiemi; to send forth, in various applications.

Him
αὐτὸν (auton)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative Masculine 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.

[and] went away.
ἀπῆλθον (apēlthon)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 565: From apo and erchomai; to go off, aside or behind, literally or figuratively.


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NT Gospels: Mark 12:12 They tried to seize him but they (Mar Mk Mr)
Mark 12:11
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