Luke 22:2
And the chief priests and scribes sought how they might kill him; for they feared the people.
Original Language Analysis
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
1 of 15
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ἐζήτουν
sought
G2212
ἐζήτουν
sought
Strong's:
G2212
Word #:
2 of 15
to seek (literally or figuratively); specially, (by hebraism) to worship (god), or (in a bad sense) to plot (against life)
οἱ
G3588
οἱ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
3 of 15
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἀρχιερεῖς
the chief priests
G749
ἀρχιερεῖς
the chief priests
Strong's:
G749
Word #:
4 of 15
the high-priest (literally, of the jews; typically, christ); by extension a chief priest
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
5 of 15
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
οἱ
G3588
οἱ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
6 of 15
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
τὸ
G3588
τὸ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
8 of 15
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
πῶς
how
G4459
πῶς
how
Strong's:
G4459
Word #:
9 of 15
an interrogative particle of manner; in what way? (sometimes the question is indirect, how?); also as exclamation, how much!
ἀνέλωσιν
they might kill
G337
ἀνέλωσιν
they might kill
Strong's:
G337
Word #:
10 of 15
to take up, i.e., adopt; by implication, to take away (violently), i.e., abolish, murder
αὐτόν
him
G846
αὐτόν
him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
11 of 15
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
ἐφοβοῦντο
they feared
G5399
ἐφοβοῦντο
they feared
Strong's:
G5399
Word #:
12 of 15
to frighten, i.e., (passively) to be alarmed; by analogy, to be in awe of, i.e., revere
γὰρ
for
G1063
γὰρ
for
Strong's:
G1063
Word #:
13 of 15
properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often with other particles)
Historical Context
The Sanhedrin's authority was limited under Roman occupation—they could arrest and try cases but needed Pilate's approval for execution. Jesus' popularity, especially after the triumphal entry (19:37-38), made public arrest risky during the crowded Passover when messianic fervor ran high and riots could erupt.
Questions for Reflection
- When has fear of others' opinions influenced your spiritual decisions rather than fear of God?
- How does the religious establishment's rejection of Jesus warn against institutional corruption even in spiritual leadership?
- What does this passage reveal about the human heart's capacity for self-deception in the name of religion?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
And the chief priests and scribes sought how they might kill him; for they feared the people. The religious leaders' plotting intensifies—sought (ἐζήτουν, ezētoun, imperfect tense) indicates continuous, ongoing scheming. Their motive was pragmatic fear rather than theological conviction: they feared the people (ἐφοβοῦντο τὸν λαόν, ephobounto ton laon), who regarded Jesus as a prophet (Luke 20:19).
This reveals the corruption of Israel's spiritual leadership. Those who should have recognized their Messiah instead conspired for judicial murder, not from honest theological disagreement but from political calculation. Their fear of popular backlash forced them into covert action rather than open arrest. Ironically, they feared the people more than God—the very definition of the fear of man that 'brings a snare' (Proverbs 29:25). Satan would soon provide the solution to their dilemma through Judas (v. 3).