Matthew 26:4
And consulted that they might take Iesus by subtiltie, and kill him. Matthew 26:4 (KJV)
This verse is part of the narrative in Matthew that describes the events leading up to Jesus’ crucifixion. To understand the context of this verse, it is important to look at the surrounding passages. In Matthew 26, Jesus is nearing the end of his earthly ministry. He has just finished teaching his disciples about the signs of the end times and the coming of the Son of Man, and he has just finished all his sayings to his disciples. As the chief priests, scribes, and elders felt threatened by Jesus’ authority and popularity among the people, they sought to put an end to his ministry and teachings.
Verse 3 records that the chief priests, the scribes, and the elders of the people gathered in the palace of the high priest, Caiaphas. They were plotting against Jesus and devising a plan to arrest him secretly and eventually put him to death. The wording of Matthew 26:4 shows that their plan was to apprehend Jesus in a discreet and cunning manner, without causing an uproar among the people who held him in high regard. They feared that an open arrest could provoke a public outcry or a potential revolt, given his widespread following.
Their primary objective was to eliminate Jesus because they saw him as a threat to their religious authority and the stability of their position in society. They were deeply disturbed by Jesus’ teachings, which challenged their traditional interpretations of the Scriptures and exposed their hypocrisy.
However, it is important to note that this plan was ultimately part of God’s sovereign purpose for Jesus’ sacrifice and the fulfillment of prophecy. While the religious leaders sought to kill Jesus, God had a greater purpose in allowing His Son to be crucified—to provide salvation for humanity through Jesus’ atoning death and resurrection.
Matthew 26:4 serves as a reminder of the opposition Jesus faced during his ministry and the lengths to which his adversaries were willing to go in order to stop him. It also underscores the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies that foretold the suffering and death of the Messiah, contributing to the overall narrative of Jesus’ arrest and subsequent crucifixion and highlighting the divine plan that unfolded through his sacrificial death.
