Church Fathers Commentary Matthew 21:45-46

"And when the chief priests and the Pharisees heard his parables, they perceived that he spake of them. And when they sought to lay hold on him, they feared the multitudes, because they took him for a prophet." — Matthew 21:45-46 (ASV)

St. Jerome: Hard as their hearts were in unbelief, the Jews still perceived that the Lord's sentence was directed against them.

Pseudo-Chrysostom: Here is the difference between good and bad men. The good man, when caught in a sin, is sorrowful because he has sinned; the bad man is grieved not because he has sinned, but because he is discovered in his sin. And he not only does not repent, but is indignant with the one who reproved him. Thus, having been caught in their sins, they were provoked to even greater wickedness: And they sought to lay hands on him, but feared the multitude, because they took him for a Prophet.¹

Origen of Alexandria: One thing they knew that was true about Him: they considered Him a Prophet, though they did not understand His greatness as the Son of God. But the rulers feared the multitude who thought this way about Him and were ready to fight for Him, for they could not attain the understanding that the multitude had, since they held no worthy thoughts about Him.

Furthermore, know that there are two different kinds of desires to lay hands on Jesus. The desire of the rulers and Pharisees was one kind; another was that of the Bride, who says, I held him, and would not let him go (Song of Songs 3:4), intending to test Him still further, as she says, I will get me up into the palm tree, I will lay hold of its height (Song of Songs 7:8). All who do not think rightly about His divinity seek to lay hands on Jesus in order to put Him to death. It is possible, indeed, to seize and hold other words, except for the word of Christ; but the word of truth, no one can seize (that is, understand), no one can hold (that is, convict), nor can anyone separate it from the conviction of those who believe, or put it to death (that is, destroy it).

Pseudo-Chrysostom: Every wicked man also, as far as his will is concerned, lays hands on God and puts Him to death. For whoever tramples on God's commandments, or murmurs against God, or raises a sullen look to heaven—would he not, if he had the power, lay hands on God and kill Him, so that he could sin without restraint?

Rabanus Maurus: This fear of laying hands on Jesus because of the multitude is enacted daily in the Church, when someone who is a brother in name only is ashamed or afraid to attack the unity of faith and peace, which he does not love, because of the good people with whom he lives.

1. in fin. Hom. xxxix