Devine Scripture

Matthew 26:4

What does Matthew 26:4 mean?

A plain-English look at Matthew 26:4 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Matthew 26:4 means

The leaders scheme to arrest Jesus by deceit and put him to death. Their tactics—taking him 'by subtlety'—reveal cowardice and guile rather than open judicial process. The phrase underscores their willingness to manipulate law and procedure to eliminate a perceived threat. That their counsel ends in the goal to kill him shows the combination of religious zeal and political calculation. The verse exposes the moral failure of the authorities: they will subvert justice to achieve their aims rather than engage with Jesus’ teaching rightly.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

and they took counsel together that they might take Jesus by subtlety, and kill him.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And consulted that they might take Jesus by subtilty, and kill him.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

and they took counsel together that they might take Jesus by subtlety, and kill him.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And they made designs together to take Jesus by some trick, and put him to death.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and they consulted together that they might take Jesus by guile, and kill <FI>him<Fi> ,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And they consulted together that by subtilty they might apprehend Jesus and put him to death.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

and took counsel together in order that they might seize Jesus by subtlety and kill him;

Context

This verse follows the leaders’ gathering and shows their malicious intent. It is a narrative counterpoint to Jesus’ earlier forthright predictions about his fate. The motive and method of the plot are important for readers who need to see the contrast between Jesus’ integrity and the leaders’ corrupt plans. The clandestine nature of the plot will influence later scenes—Judas’s betrayal, the arrest at night, and illegal trials—helping explain the rush and secrecy surrounding the passion events.

v.3Then were gathered together the chief priests, and the elders of the people, unto the court of the high priest, who was called Caiaphas;

v.4This passage

v.5But they said, Not during the feast, lest a tumult arise among the people.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Genesis 3:1

    Now the serpent was more subtle than any beast of the field which Jehovah God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of any tree of the garden?

  • Matthew 23:33

    Ye serpents, ye offspring of vipers, how shall ye escape the judgment of hell?

  • Psalms 2:2

    The kings of the earth set themselves, And the rulers take counsel together, Against Jehovah, and against his anointed, saying,

  • Acts 13:10

    and said, O full of all guile and all villany, thou son of the devil, thou enemy of all righteousness, wilt thou not cease to pervert the right ways of the Lord?

  • Matthew 12:14

    But the Pharisees went out, and took counsel against him, how they might destroy him.

  • 2 Corinthians 11:3

    But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve in his craftiness, your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity and the purity that is toward Christ.

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