Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary Mark 11:18

"And the chief priests and the scribes heard it, and sought how they might destroy him: for they feared him, for all the multitude was astonished at his teaching." — Mark 11:18 (ASV)

The Pharisees and Herodians in Galilee had decided that Jesus must be put out of the way (cf. 3:6). Now the chief priests and teachers of the law came to the same decision. Jesus’ action had challenged their authority and no doubt cost them a good deal of money. So they went into action against him, but not openly, because they feared what the response of the people might be. Since Jesus was so popular with the people as a teacher, the power and authority of the chief priests and teachers of the law could easily be broken.

Again Jesus and his disciples withdrew from Jerusalem and spent the night in Bethany, perhaps because Jerusalem was not safe for him.