Matthew 21:45-46

[45] And when the chief priests and Pharisees had heard his parables, they perceived that he spake of them. [46] But when they sought to lay hands on him, they feared the multitude, they took him a prophet.

What is the context of Matthew 21:45-46?

The Parable of the Wicked Vinedressers (Matthew 21:33-46 true)
The Parable of the Tenant Farmers in the Vineyard (Matthew 21:33-46 true)
The Parable of the Tenants (Matthew 21:33-46 true)
The Parable of the Tenants .( AJ .) (Matthew 21:33-46 true)
The Parable about the Tenant Farmers (Matthew 21:33-46 true)
Parable of the Landowner (Matthew 21:33-46 true)
The Parable of the Vineyard Owner (Matthew 21:33-46 true)
Parable of the Evil Farmers (Matthew 21:33-46 true)

What does Matthew 21:45-46 Mean?

Contextual Meaning

The meaning of Jesus" words was clear to Israel"s leaders who heard Him. Matthew probably described them as chief priests, who were mostly Sadducees, and Pharisees because these were the two leading parties within Judaism. Together these two groups stood for all the Jewish authorities who opposed Jesus.

Rather than fearing Jesus, whom they understood claimed to be the instrument of their final judgment, these leaders feared the multitudes whose power over them was much less. Rather than submitting to Him in belief, they tried to seize Him. Thus they triggered the very situation that Jesus had warned them about, namely, His death at their hands. Their actions confirmed their rejection of Jesus and their consequent blindness.