“But not during the feast,” they said, “or there may be a riot among the people.”
Parallel translations
- WEB But they said, “Not during the feast, lest a riot occur among the people.”
- KJV But they said, Not on the feast day, lest there be an uproar among the people.
- NKJV But they said, “Not during the feast, lest there be an uproar among the people.”
- NASB But they were saying, “Not during the festival, otherwise a riot might occur among the people.”
- NLT “But not during the Passover celebration,” they agreed, “or the people may riot.”
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
The leaders decide to avoid acting during the feast, fearing a riot. Yet God's timing, not theirs, would prevail.
Overview
The leaders want to delay until after Passover to prevent unrest among the crowds. But their plan is overruled: Judas's unexpected offer accelerates events so that Jesus dies precisely at Passover as the true Paschal Lamb. This shows God's sovereign hand directing even the schemes of men to accomplish His appointed purpose.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 15
- Matt 27:24When Pilate saw that he was accomplishing nothing, but that instead a riot was breaking out, he took water and washed his hands before the crowd. “I am innocent of this man’s blood,” he said. “You bear the responsibility.”
- Matt 14:5Although Herod wanted to kill John, he was afraid of the people, because they regarded John as a prophet.
- Matt 21:26But if we say, ‘From men,’ we are afraid of the people, for they all regard John as a prophet.”
- Prov 21:30There is no wisdom, no understanding, no counsel that can prevail against the LORD.
- Mark 14:12On the first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread, when the Passover lamb was to be sacrificed, Jesus’ disciples asked Him, “Where do You want us to prepare for You to eat the Passover?”
- Mark 14:2“But not during the feast,” they said, “or there may be a riot among the people.”
- Prov 19:21Many plans are in a man’s heart, but the purpose of the LORD will prevail.
- Mark 14:27Then Jesus said to them, “You will all fall away, for it is written: ‘I will strike the Shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered.’
- Isa 46:10I declare the end from the beginning, and ancient times from what is still to come. I say, ‘My purpose will stand, and all My good pleasure I will accomplish.’
- Ps 76:10Even the wrath of man shall praise You; with the survivors of wrath You will clothe Yourself.
- John 18:28Then they led Jesus away from Caiaphas into the Praetorium. By now it was early morning, and the Jews did not enter the Praetorium, to avoid being defiled and unable to eat the Passover.
- Lam 3:37Who has spoken and it came to pass, unless the Lord has ordained it?
- Luke 22:7Then came the day of Unleavened Bread on which the Passover lamb was to be sacrificed.
- Acts 4:28They carried out what Your hand and will had decided beforehand would happen.
- Luke 20:6But if we say, ‘From men,’ all the people will stone us, for they are convinced that John was a prophet.”
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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Christ at the center
Matthew presents Jesus as the promised King — son of David, son of Abraham — the new Moses and true Israel in whom every prophecy reaches 'that it might be fulfilled.'
How Matthew 26:5 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Greek word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.