Devine Scripture

Mark 11:18

What does Mark 11:18 mean?

A plain-English look at Mark 11:18 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Mark 11:18 means

The chief priests and scribes, hearing Jesus's words and witnessing His actions, immediately began seeking a way to destroy Him. Their motivation stemmed from fear, as Jesus's teaching and authority captivated the multitude, undermining their own power and influence. They recognized the profound threat He posed to their established religious order, leading them to plot His elimination rather than consider His message.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

And the chief priests and the scribes heard it, and sought how they might destroy him: for they feared him, for all the multitude was astonished at his teaching.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And the scribes and chief priests heard it, and sought how they might destroy him: for they feared him, because all the people was astonished at his doctrine.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And the chief priests and the scribes heard it, and sought how they might destroy him: for they feared him, for all the multitude was astonished at his teaching.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And it came to the ears of the chief priests and scribes, and they took thought how they might put him to death; being in fear of him, because all the people were full of wonder at his teaching.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

And the scribes and the chief priests heard, and they were seeking how they shall destroy him, for they were afraid of him, because all the multitude was astonished at his teaching;

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

Which when the chief priests and the scribes had heard, they sought how they might destroy him. For they feared him, because the whole multitude was in admiration at his doctrine.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And the chief priests and the scribes heard [it], and they sought how they might destroy him; for they feared him, because all the crowd were astonished at his doctrine.

Context

This verse details the immediate and hostile reaction of the religious authorities to Jesus's cleansing and teaching in the temple (verse 17). It establishes the direct conflict between Jesus and the Jewish leadership, revealing their animosity and fear, and foreshadows their eventual conspiracy against Him, contrasting with the multitude's positive astonishment at His message.

v.17And he taught, and said unto them, Is it not written, My house shall be called a house of prayer for all the nations? but ye have made it a den of robbers.

v.18This passage

v.19And every evening he went forth out of the city.

Cross references

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

  • Mark 12:12

    And they sought to lay hold on him; and they feared the multitude; for they perceived that he spake the parable against them: and they left him, and went away.

  • Luke 4:22

    And all bare him witness, and wondered at the words of grace which proceeded out of his mouth: and they said, Is not this Joseph’s son?

  • Matthew 21:15

    But when the chief priests and the scribes saw the wonderful things that he did, and the children that were crying in the temple and saying, Hosanna to the son of David; they were moved with indignation,

  • Luke 19:47

    And he was teaching daily in the temple. But the chief priests and the scribes and the principal men of the people sought to destroy him:

  • Mark 1:22

    And they were astonished at his teaching: for he taught them as having authority, and not as the scribes.

  • Matthew 21:38

    But the husbandmen, when they saw the son, said among themselves, This is the heir; come, let us kill him, and take his inheritance.

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