Matthew 26:5

But they said, Not on the feast day, lest there be an uproar among the people.

Matthew 26:5 (KJV)

Context

Matthew 26:5 records the words of the chief priests and elders as they conspire to arrest Jesus. They say, “Not on the feast day, lest there be an uproar among the people.” This statement comes immediately after they have agreed to take Jesus by subtlety and kill Him (Matthew 26:3-4). Their concern is not moral or religious; it is political and practical. They fear the reaction of the crowds gathered in Jerusalem for the Passover, a time when the city swelled with pilgrims commemorating Israel’s deliverance from Egypt.

The religious leaders were wary of Jesus’ popularity. They saw Him as a threat to their authority and worried that a public arrest during the feast could spark a riot, drawing the attention of the Roman authorities and endangering their own position. Their plan was to wait until a quieter time, but their calculation would not stand.

Meaning

The phrase “Not on the feast day” reveals the leaders’ attempt to control the timing of events. They wanted to avoid an uproar among the people, yet their scheming was ultimately futile. God’s sovereign plan overruled their caution, for Jesus was crucified during that very Passover. The leaders sought to prevent a disturbance, but their actions set in motion the greatest spiritual upheaval in history—the redemption of humanity through the sacrificial death and resurrection of Christ.

This verse also exposes the blindness of those who oppose God’s purposes. The religious establishment, who knew the Scriptures, plotted against the very Messiah those Scriptures promised. Their hatred of Jesus was stronger than their fear of the people, and their prudence in worldly terms could not thwart the divine will.

Application

For believers, this verse is a reminder that human plans cannot thwart God’s purposes. Even when authorities scheme against righteousness, God can use their calculated decisions to accomplish His saving plan. Christians are called to trust in God’s sovereignty, especially when facing opposition or when the timing of events seems uncertain.

The leaders’ caution also warns against letting fear of public opinion shape our actions. They chose what seemed prudent, but their prudence was rooted in self-protection rather than faithfulness. Believers are encouraged to act with courage and integrity, knowing that God’s purposes will prevail.

Reflection

Consider how often we, like the religious leaders, try to manage circumstances to avoid conflict or discomfort. Yet God’s plans are not dependent on our timing or strategies. This verse invites us to surrender our own calculations to His sovereign will, trusting that He works all things—even the schemes of His enemies—for the good of those who love Him and for the advancement of His kingdom.