Matthew Poole and continuators on Matthew 21:46

46 But when they sought to lay hands on him, they feared the multitude, because they took him for a Prophet.

Mark hath much the same, Chap. 12.12. so hath Luke Ch. 20.19, 20. but Luke adds, They watched him, and sent out Spyes, which should [illegible: 1 letter]eign themse[illegible: 1 letter]ves just M[illegible: 1 letter]n, that they might take hold of his Words, that so they might deliver him to the Power and Authority of the Governour. These wretched Men were Convinced in their own Consciences, they perceived he spake of them. They had nothing to oppose to what he said. They could not deny, but that the P[illegible: 1 letter]a[illegible: 1 letter]mist▪ Psal. 118.22 spake of the Messias. They could not but own that they were the Builders ▪ and that they had refused him, yet their Lu[illegible: 1 letter]ts and Interests would not suffer them to obey these Convictions, to receive, and to imbrace Christ, and prevent that R[illegible: 1 letter]in which was coming upon them. They dur[illegible: 1 letter]t not apprehend Christ for fear of the People. They had nothing to lay to his charge, they therefore send out Spyes to watch him, to see if they could catch any thing from him in Discourse, whereof to accuse him before Pilate the Roman Governour, in Iudea at this time.