But they did not understand this statement and were afraid to ask him.

But if we say, ‘From people – ’” (they feared the crowd, for they all considered John to be truly a prophet).

The ¹  chief priests and the experts in the law ²  were trying to find some way ³  to execute ⁴  Jesus, ⁵  for they were afraid of the people. ⁶ 

Then ¹  they went out and ran from the tomb, for terror and bewilderment had seized them. ²  And they said nothing to anyone, because they were afraid.

Then the commander ¹  of the temple guard ²  went with the officers ³  and brought the apostles ⁴  without the use of force ⁵  (for they were afraid of being stoned by the people). ⁶ 

When he arrived in Jerusalem, ¹  he attempted to associate ²  with the disciples, and they were all afraid of him, because they did not believe ³  that he was a disciple.

The chief priests and the experts in the law ¹  heard it and they considered how they could assassinate ²  him, for they feared him, because the whole crowd was amazed by his teaching.

But they did not understand this statement; its meaning ¹  had been concealed ²  from them, so that they could not grasp it. Yet ³  they were afraid to ask him about this statement.

(His parents said these things because they were afraid of the Jewish religious leaders. ¹  For the Jewish leaders had already agreed that anyone who confessed Jesus ²  to be the Christ ³  would be put out ⁴  of the synagogue. ⁵ 

They were on the way, going up to Jerusalem. ¹  Jesus was going ahead of them, and they were amazed, but those who followed were afraid. He took the twelve aside again and began to tell them what was going to happen to him.