Hypocrisy

Jesus' enemies are swarming around him just as he had predicted on three previous occasions. The shadow of the cross is looming large over his ministry. Over the next few sections of Mark, we see the Pharisees, the Herodians, the Sadducees, and the scribes all aligning together to oppose Jesus. These groups are not friends with one another, but they are embracing the saying that, "your enemy's enemy is your friend." They have a common interest in the death of Jesus. By killing him, they believe their institution, religion and way of doing things will be left alone. For his enemies, Jesus is simply a nuisance rather than the Son of God.