Indeed, in their chests is nothing but arrogance, except for pride and greatness. It is the desire for advancement and leadership, and for no one to be above them. Therefore, they opposed you and rejected your signs out of fear that you would surpass them and that they would be under your control and command. This is because prophethood encompasses all kingship and leadership. Or it is the desire for them to have prophethood instead of you out of envy and malice. This is indicated by His saying, 'If it were good, they would not have preceded us to it.' Or it is the desire to refute the signs through argumentation, which they are not able to achieve, meaning they are not able to fulfill the requirements of arrogance and its implications. This is related to their desire for leadership or prophethood or to refute the signs.

It is said that the disputants are the Jews, and they used to say: 'Our master, the Messiah, son of David, will emerge,' referring to the false messiah, and his dominion will reach both land and sea, and rivers will flow with him. He is a sign from the signs of Allah, and the kingship will return to us. So Allah called their wish arrogance and denied that they would attain what they wished. 'So seek refuge with Allah,' and turn to Him from the plots of those who envy you and bear malice against you. Indeed, He is the All-Hearing of what you say and what they say, the All-Seeing of what you do and what they do. He is your supporter against them and your protector from their evil.