45 And when the chief priests and Pharisees had heard his parables, they perceived that he spake of them. 46 But when they sought to lay hands on him, they feared the multitude, because they took him for a prophet. (Matthew 21:45-46 KJV)
William Burkitt’s Commentary
When the chief priests came to understand that these parable were all applied to them, that they were the murderers of the king’s son, that they were the builders that rejected the chief corner-stone, they are enraged at the close application made to themselves; and had not fear restrained them, they would have laid violent hands upon him.
Learn thence, That nothing doth more provoke and exasperate unsound hypocrites, than the particular application, and close coming home of the word of God unto their hearts and consciences. So long as the truths of God are generally delivered, sinners are easy looking upon themselves as unconcerned: but when the word of God comes close to them, and says, Thou art the man, this is thy wickedness; they are angry at the message, and rage at the messenger.