And could not find what they might do: for all the people were very attentive to hear him.

People's New Testament

19:48 For all the people were very attentive to hear him. His popularity with the people made it difficult for his enemies to carry out their purposes.

King James Translators' Notes

were...: or, hanged on him

Scofield Reference Notes

Margin were very attentive

Or, hanged on him.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

48. were very attentive to hear him-hung upon His words.

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary

19:41-48 Who can behold the holy Jesus, looking forward to the miseries that awaited his murderers, weeping over the city where his precious blood was about to be shed, without seeing that the likeness of God in the believer, consists much in good-will and compassion? Surely those cannot be right who take up any doctrines of truth, so as to be hardened towards their fellow-sinners. But let every one remember, that though Jesus wept over Jerusalem, he executed awful vengeance upon it. Though he delights not in the death of a sinner, yet he will surely bring to pass his awful threatenings on those who neglect his salvation. The Son of God did not weep vain and causeless tears, nor for a light matter, nor for himself. He knows the value of souls, the weight of guilt, and how low it will press and sink mankind. May he then come and cleanse our hearts by his Spirit, from all that defiles. May sinners, on every side, become attentive to the words of truth and salvation.