Matthew 26:4
Translations
King James Version (KJV)
And consulted that they might take Jesus by subtlety, and kill him.
American King James Version (AKJV)
And consulted that they might take Jesus by subtlety, and kill him.
American Standard Version (ASV)
and they took counsel together that they might take Jesus by subtlety, and kill him.
Basic English Translation (BBE)
And they made designs together to take Jesus by some trick, and put him to death.
Webster's Revision
And consulted that they might take Jesus by subtilty, and kill him.
World English Bible
They took counsel together that they might take Jesus by deceit, and kill him.
English Revised Version (ERV)
and they took counsel together that they might take Jesus by subtilty, and kill him.
Clarke's Matthew 26:4 Bible Commentary
And consulted that they might take Jesus by subtilty - The providence of God frustrated their artful machinations; and that event which they wished to conduct with the greatest privacy and silence was transacted with all possible celebrity, amidst the thousands who resorted to Jerusalem, at this season, for the keeping of the passover. It was, doubtless, of the very first importance that the crucifixion of Christ, which was preparatory to the most essential achievement of Christianity, viz. his resurrection from the grave, should be exhibited before many witnesses, and in the most open manner, that infidelity might not attempt, in future, to invalidate the evidences of the Christian religion, by alleging that these things were done in a corner. See Wakefield in loco.
Barnes's Matthew 26:4 Bible Commentary
By subtlety - By guile, deceit, or in some secret manner, so that the people would not know it.
Jesus was regarded by the people as a distinguished prophet, and by most of them, probably, as the Messiah; and the Sanhedrin did not dare to take him away openly, lest the people should rise and rescue him. They were probably aware that he had gone out to Bethany, or to some place adjacent to the city; and as he passed his nights there and not in the city, there was need of guile to ascertain the place to which he had retired, and to take him.