Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary Luke 22:2

"And the chief priests and the scribes sought how they might put him to death; for they feared the people." — Luke 22:2 (ASV)

The “Feast of Unleavened Bread,” immediately following the Passover, lasted seven days (Exodus 12:15–20). Earlier the Pharisees were prominent in opposing Jesus (cf. comment on 5:17). Now the “chief priests and teachers of the law” were taking the initiative against him. In that society the priests were not only religious leaders, but they also wielded great political power. The teachers of the law were involved undoubtedly because their legal expertise would be useful in building a case against Jesus. “The people,” on the other hand, were a deterrent to the schemes of the leaders.