Definition: Then the Pharisees went out, and held a council against him, how they might destroy him.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down Matthew 12:14. It's a really important part of Jesus’ teachings about following His teachings and being careful with authority. Here’s what it means in simpler terms: The Basic Idea: Jesus is telling the Pharisees that they are too worried about trying to stop him. They’re focused on destroying him, which is a pretty dramatic idea for someone who's teaching about God and righteousness. Let’s unpack it further: “The Pharisees went out…” : This means the Pharisees – a group of religious leaders – were talking and debating with Jesus. “…and held a council against him…” : They were organizing a meeting to discuss what to do with Jesus. It suggests they weren't just casually chatting; they were planning something serious. “how they might destroy him.” : This is the key part. They were worried that Jesus would be attacked or harmed by someone. This shows their fear and perhaps a lack of trust in Jesus’ teachings. What it's saying about Jesus: Jesus isn’t being challenged here. He’s acknowledging their concerns, but he's also demonstrating his power and authority. He’s teaching that it’s important to be wise and thoughtful about how we speak and what we do, especially when dealing with those in positions of influence like the religious leaders. In essence, it's a warning to stay focused on following God’s will and doing good, rather than worrying about getting rid of someone. --- Do you want me to: Explain another verse? Give you some context about what was happening during this time in the Bible? Answer any specific questions you have about this passage?