12:12 Now 3 they wanted to arrest him (but they feared the crowd), because they realized that he told this parable against them. So 4 they left him and went away. 5
1 tn Grk “they”; the referent (the crowds) has been specified in the translation for clarity. Both previous occurrences of “they” in this verse refer to the chief priests and the Pharisees.
2 sn The suggestion here is that Jesus was too popular to openly arrest him.
3 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “now” to introduce a somewhat parenthetical remark by the author.
4 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “so” to indicate the implied result of previous action(s) in the narrative.
5 sn The point of the parable in Mark 12:1-12 is that the leaders of the nation have been rejected by God and the vineyard (v. 9, referring to the nation and its privileged status) will be taken from them and given to others (an allusion to the Gentiles).
6 tn Or “captain.”
7 tn Grk “the official [of the temple],” a title for the commander of the Jewish soldiers guarding the temple (thus the translation, “the commander of the temple guard”). See L&N 37.91.
8 tn The Greek term ὑπηρέτης (Juphreth") generally means “servant,” but in the NT is used for many different types of servants. See the note on the word “officers” in v. 22.
9 tn Grk “brought them”; the referent (the apostles) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
10 tn Or “without violence.” It is clear, as well, that the apostles did not resist arrest.
11 tn Grk “for they feared lest they be stoned by the people.” The translation uses a less awkward English equivalent. This is an explanatory note by the author.