Charles Ellicott Commentary Matthew 21:46

"And when they sought to lay hold on him, they feared the multitudes, because they took him for a prophet." — Matthew 21:46 (ASV)

When they sought to lay hands — We must remember that they had once before made a similar attempt and had been baffled (John 7:44–46). Now circumstances were even more against them. The Prophet was surrounded by His own disciples and by an admiring crowd. They did not dare to venture open violence, and they had to fall back upon the more crooked paths of stratagem and treachery.