After Jesus told the Jewish leaders a parable, they realized that he was accusing them of wanting to kill him, but they feared how the people would react if they arrested Jesus.

Mark 12:1-12

12 Then Jesus told those Jewish leaders a parable. He wanted to show what God would do to those who rejected the former prophets and himself. He said, “A certain man planted a vineyard. He built a fence around it in order to protect it. He made a stone tank to collect the juice that they would press out of the grapes. He also built a tower for someone to sit in to guard his vineyard. Then he leased the vineyard to some men to care for it and to give him some of the grapes in return. Then he went away to another country. 2 When the time came to harvest the grapes, he sent a servant to the men who were taking care of the vineyard in order to receive from them his share of the grapes that the vineyard had produced. 3 But after the servant arrived, they grabbed him and beat him, and they did not give him any fruit. Then they sent him away. 4 Later the one who owned the vineyard sent another servant to them. But they beat that one on his head, and they insulted him. 5 Later he sent another servant. That man they killed. They mistreated many other servants whom he sent. Some they beat and some they killed. 6 The man still had one other person with him. It was his son. He loved him very much. So, finally he sent his son to them because he thought that they would respect him and give him some of the grapes. 7 But when they saw his son coming, those men who were looking after the vineyard said to each other, ‘Look! Here comes the man who will some day inherit the vineyard! So let’s kill him in order that this vineyard will be ours!’ 8 They seized him and killed him. Then they threw his body outside the vineyard. 9 So ◄do you know what the man who owns the vineyard will do?/I will tell you what the man who owns the vineyard will do [RHQ]►. He will come, and he will kill those evil men who were taking care of his vineyard. Then he will arrange for other people to take care of it. 10 Now think carefully about these words, which you have read in the Scriptures:

The men who were building the building rejected one stone. But others put that same stone in its proper place, and it has become the most important stone in the building [MET]! 11 The Lord has done this, and we marvel as we look at it.”

12 Then the Jewish leaders realized that he was accusing them when he told this story about what those wicked people did. So they wanted to seize him. But they were afraid of what the crowds would do if they did that. So they left him and went away.