Why did the chief priests fear a riot during the Passover in Matthew 26:5? Text of Matthew 26:3-5 “Then the chief priests and elders of the people assembled in the courtyard of the high priest, whose name was Caiaphas, and they conspired to arrest Jesus covertly and kill Him. ‘But not during the feast,’ they said, ‘or there may be a riot among the people.’” Immediate Literary Setting Matthew places the plot immediately after Jesus’ prophecy of His impending crucifixion (26:1-2). By juxtaposing divine foreknowledge with human scheming, the evangelist highlights God’s sovereignty: the leaders mean to avoid Passover; God ordains that the true Passover Lamb (1 Corinthians 5:7) die precisely then. Political Climate Under Rome 1. Judea in A.D. 30 was governed by Pontius Pilate (cf. inscription found at Caesarea Maritima, 1961). 2. Rome punished sedition ruthlessly (Josephus, Ant. 18.3.2-4). A riot risked Pilate’s intervention, endangering the Sanhedrin’s limited autonomy (John 11:48). 3. Prior Passover disturbances—recorded by Jewish and Christian sources—ended in bloodshed (Luke 13:1; Acts 5:36-37). The leaders feared a repetition that could cost them power and lives (John 11:49-50). Passover Crowds and Nationalistic Fervor Passover drew perhaps two to three million pilgrims (Josephus, War 6.9.3). Commemorating Israel’s liberation, it stoked messianic expectation (Deuteronomy 16:1-3). Any popular teacher hailed as “Son of David” (Matthew 21:9) could spark hopes of overthrowing Rome. The chief priests—mostly Sadducees with pro-Roman leanings—perceived danger in that enthusiasm (Mark 11:18). Jesus’ Popularity and Miraculous Signs 1. Triumphal entry: multitudes spread cloaks (Matthew 21:8-11). 2. Cleansing the temple challenged priestly profit from sacrifices (21:12-13). 3. Raising Lazarus (John 11) occurred near Jerusalem shortly before Passover; eyewitnesses spread the news (John 12:17-19). Miracles validated messianic claims (Isaiah 35:5-6), swelling public support. Economic and Religious Interests of the Priestly Aristocracy Temple commerce (coin exchange, animal inspection) funded Caiaphas’ circle. Jesus’ denunciation threatened revenue streams (Matthew 21:13). A riot could turn the crowds against the priesthood, jeopardizing both wealth and status (Matthew 23:14). Sanhedrin Strategy: Secrecy and Timing Their plan required: • Arrest at night, away from pilgrim scrutiny (26:14-16, 47). • A rapid, illegal trial before the city awakened (26:57-68). • Hand-off to Pilate before dawn to secure Roman execution (27:1-2). Delay until after the feast risked Jesus’ escape to Galilee; acting during the feast risked mob violence. Hence their calculated window depended on Judas’ betrayal. Theological Motifs: Divine Sovereignty Over Human Fear Though the priests feared riot, God orchestrated events so that Christ died on Passover, fulfilling typology (Exodus 12; John 1:29). Their fear served God’s redemptive timetable (Acts 2:23). Practical Reflection Human schemes often spring from self-preservation, yet the Father’s purposes stand (Proverbs 19:21). Like the priests, modern hearts may resist Christ to protect comfort or control. The lesson: surrender to the true King, lest fear dictate rebellion. Summary The chief priests dreaded a riot because: 1. Passover crowds were immense and volatile. 2. Jesus’ miracles and messianic acclaim electrified national hopes. 3. Temple income and authority were at stake. 4. Roman reprisals threatened their position. Their apprehension drove a covert plot, yet unintentionally advanced God’s plan of salvation accomplished at the precise moment His Word had foretold. |
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