Matthew 21:46 (KJV) states, "But when they sought to lay hands on him, they feared the multitude, because they took him for a prophet."

This verse comes at the end of a parable that Jesus tells in the 21st chapter of Matthew. In the parable, a landowner plants a vineyard and rents it out to some farmers. When the time comes for the landowner to receive his share of the fruit, he sends servants to collect, but the tenants beat, kill, and stone them. Finally, the landowner sends his son, thinking that the tenants will respect him, but they end up killing him as well. Jesus concludes the parable by stating, "Therefore say I unto you, The kingdom of God shall be taken from you, and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof" (Matthew 21:43, KJV).

The religious leaders who were listening to this parable understood that Jesus was speaking about them and their rejection of him as the Messiah. They became angry and wanted to seize Jesus, but they were afraid of the crowds who saw Jesus as a prophet.

The context of this verse is significant. Jesus had just entered Jerusalem to a crowd shouting "Hosanna to the Son of David" and laying out palm branches before him as he rode a donkey. The religious leaders were upset by this public display of reverence, and they questioned his authority. Jesus responded with the parable, making it clear that the religious leaders were the unfaithful tenants who had rejected and killed the servants of God and would ultimately reject and kill the Son of God, Jesus himself.

The theme of this verse and the surrounding parable is that of rejection and disobedience. The religious leaders had rejected Jesus, the long-awaited Messiah, and were seeking to do him harm. They were so caught up in their pride and jealousy that they were blind to the truth of who Jesus was. Their fear of the crowd kept them from acting on their desires, but ultimately their rejection of Jesus would lead to their downfall.

The symbolism in this verse is found in the actions of both the religious leaders and the crowd. The religious leaders symbolize the hardened, unrepentant heart that rejects and opposes the will of God. Despite the clarity of Jesus' message and the miracles he performed, they chose to ignore the truth and seek their own agenda. The crowd, on the other hand, symbolizes the faith and recognition of Jesus as a prophet. They were willing to publicly acknowledge Jesus as the one who comes in the name of the Lord.

In a broader sense, this verse also serves as a warning to all who hear the word of God. It cautions against rejecting the truth and opposing the will of God. It warns of the consequences of pride, jealousy, and a hardened heart that refuses to acknowledge the authority and sovereignty of God.

In conclusion, Matthew 21:46 (KJV) provides a powerful insight into the rejection and opposition that Jesus faced from the religious leaders of his time. It highlights the themes of disobedience and rejection, while also emphasizing the symbolism of the crowd's recognition of Jesus as a prophet. This verse serves as a warning to all who hear the word of God, urging them to humble themselves before the Lord and to acknowledge his authority in their lives.