Matthew 26:5

26:5 But they said, “Not during the feast, so that there won’t be a riot among the people.” ¹ 

Mark 14:2

14:2 For they said, “Not during the feast, so there won’t be a riot among the people.” ² 

[26:5]  ¹ sn The suggestion here is that Jesus was too popular to openly arrest him.

[14:2]  ² sn The suggestion here is that Jesus was too popular to openly arrest him. The verb were trying is imperfect. It suggests, in this context, that they were always considering the opportunities.