# seeking how

"looking for an opportunity" or "thinking of ways in which"

# they could put Jesus to death

The priests and scribes did not have the authority to kill Jesus themselves, but they hoped to get others to kill him. Alternate translation: "they could get someone to put Jesus to death" or "they could get someone to kill Jesus" (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metonymy]])

# afraid of the people

Possible meanings are 1) "scared of what the people might do" or 2) "scared that the people would make Jesus king."