King James Version

What Does Mark 11:18 Mean?

Mark 11:18 in the King James Version says “And the scribes and chief priests heard it, and sought how they might destroy him: for they feared him, because all the ...” — study this verse from Mark chapter 11 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

“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.”

Mark 11:18 · KJV

Context

16

And would not suffer that any man should carry any vessel through the temple.

17

And he taught, saying unto them, Is it not written, My house shall be called of all nations the house of prayer? but ye have made it a den of thieves. of all: or, an house of prayer for all nations

18

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.

19

And when even was come, he went out of the city.

20

And in the morning, as they passed by, they saw the fig tree dried up from the roots.

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And the scribes and chief priests heard it, and sought how they might destroy him (ἐζήτουν πῶς αὐτὸν ἀπολέσωσιν)—Jesus' temple cleansing and denunciation crossed a line. The verb ezētoun (ἐζήτουν, "sought") in the imperfect tense indicates continuous, deliberate plotting. The verb apolesōsin (ἀπολέσωσιν, "destroy") means to kill, not merely discredit—Jesus' confrontation provoked murderous intent from religious authorities. The scribes (γραμματεῖς, grammateis) were legal experts and theologians; chief priests (ἀρχιερεῖς, archiereis) were temple aristocracy. Together they formed the Sanhedrin's core, wielding religious and political power.

For they feared him, because all the people was astonished at his doctrine (ἐφοβοῦντο γὰρ αὐτόν· πᾶς γὰρ ὁ ὄχλος ἐξεπλήσσετο ἐπὶ τῇ διδαχῇ αὐτοῦ)—the leaders feared Jesus not theologically but politically. He commanded popular support. The verb exeplēsseto (ἐξεπλήσσετο, "was astonished") means overwhelmed, amazed—Jesus' teaching carried authority unlike the scribes' (Mark 1:22). The leaders' fear of losing influence drove their murderous plot. Ironically, they feared man rather than God, fulfilling Jesus' prediction that religious authorities would reject and kill the Messiah (Mark 8:31; 9:31; 10:33-34).

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Historical & Cultural Context

The chief priests controlled temple operations and enriched themselves through the commercial system Jesus disrupted. Archaeological and historical sources confirm that the high priestly families (particularly Annas and Caiaphas) operated a lucrative business monopoly in the temple courts. By cleansing the temple, Jesus threatened their economic base and religious authority. The scribes, as guardians of Torah interpretation, resented Jesus' claim to interpretive authority independent of rabbinical tradition. Both groups had already clashed with Jesus over His authority, Sabbath observance, association with sinners, and criticism of their hypocrisy (Mark 2:1-3:6). The temple cleansing was the final provocation. They couldn't arrest Jesus publicly because of His popularity (v. 18, 32; 12:12; 14:2), so they sought opportunity to seize Him secretly—accomplished through Judas's betrayal (14:10-11, 43-50). Jesus' trial before the Sanhedrin was a sham (14:53-65), with false witnesses and predetermined verdict. They delivered Jesus to Pilate for execution (15:1-15), manipulating Roman authority to accomplish their goal.

Reflection Questions

  1. What does the religious leaders' immediate plot to kill Jesus reveal about hearts hardened against truth when it threatens power, wealth, or status?
  2. How does their fear of losing popular support rather than concern for truth demonstrate that political calculation often masquerades as religious conviction?
  3. In what ways might church leaders today risk opposing God's work when it threatens institutional control, traditional authority, or financial interests?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 24 words
καὶ1 of 24

“And”

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

ἤκουσαν2 of 24

“heard”

G191

to hear (in various senses)

οἱ3 of 24
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

γραμματεῖς4 of 24

“the scribes”

G1122

a professional writer

καὶ5 of 24

“And”

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

οἱ6 of 24
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ἀρχιερεῖς7 of 24

“chief priests”

G749

the high-priest (literally, of the jews; typically, christ); by extension a chief priest

καὶ8 of 24

“And”

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

ἐζήτουν9 of 24

“sought”

G2212

to seek (literally or figuratively); specially, (by hebraism) to worship (god), or (in a bad sense) to plot (against life)

πῶς10 of 24

“how”

G4459

an interrogative particle of manner; in what way? (sometimes the question is indirect, how?); also as exclamation, how much!

αὐτοῦ11 of 24

“him”

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

ἀπολέσουσιν·12 of 24

“they might destroy”

G622

to destroy fully (reflexively, to perish, or lose), literally or figuratively

ἐφοβοῦντο13 of 24

“they feared”

G5399

to frighten, i.e., (passively) to be alarmed; by analogy, to be in awe of, i.e., revere

γὰρ14 of 24

“for”

G1063

properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often with other particles)

αὐτοῦ15 of 24

“him”

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

ὅτι16 of 24

“because”

G3754

demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because

πᾶς17 of 24

“all”

G3956

all, any, every, the whole

ὁ18 of 24
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ὄχλος19 of 24

“the people”

G3793

a throng (as borne along); by implication, the rabble; by extension, a class of people; figuratively, a riot

ἐξεπλήσσετο20 of 24

“was astonished”

G1605

to strike with astonishment

ἐπὶ21 of 24

“at”

G1909

properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e., over, upon, etc.; of re

τῇ22 of 24
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

διδαχῇ23 of 24

“doctrine”

G1322

instruction (the act or the matter)

αὐτοῦ24 of 24

“him”

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Mark. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Mark 11:18 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Mark 11:18 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Matthew 7:28Mark 12:12Luke 19:47Mark 14:1-2Mark 11:32Matthew 26:3-4

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