en_tn_condensed/mrk/12/12.md

sought a way

"wanted to find a way"

they were afraid of the crowd

They were afraid of what the crowd would do to them if they arrested Jesus. This can be made clear. Alternate translation: "but they feared what the crowd would do if they arrested him" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-explicit)

against them

"to accuse them"