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Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.com | DownloadBob Utley You Can Understand the Bible - Matthew 26:3 - 26:5
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NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: Mat_26:3-5
3Then the chief priests and the elders of the people were gathered together in the court of the high priest, named Caiaphas; 4and they plotted together to seize Jesus by stealth and kill Him. 5But they were saying, "Not during the festival, otherwise a riot might occur among the people."
Mat_26:3 "the chief priests and the elders" This was the short designation for the Sanhedrin. See Special Topic at Mat_20:18.
▣ "in the court of the high priest" This referred to the central courtyard of Caiaphas'and possibly Annas'mansion.
▣ "Caiaphas" Caiaphas was the High Priest, appointed by Rome, in exchange for a price, from a.d. 18-36. He was the son-in-law of Annas, High Priest from a.d. 6-15. This powerful family was motivated more by politics and wealth than by spirituality. It is unfair to judge all Sadducees or, for that matter, the Sanhedrin, by them.
Mat_26:4 "they plotted together to seize Jesus by stealth and kill Him" They decided early in His ministry to kill Him, but they were seeking an opportunity when the common people were not present (cf. Mat_12:14; Mar_14:1; Luk_22:2; Joh_5:18; Joh_7:1; Joh_7:19; Joh_7:25; Joh_8:37; Joh_8:40; Joh_11:53). They were jealous of His popularity and fearful of His teachings and actions.
Mat_26:5 "during the festival" The Passover was combined with the Feast of the Unleavened Bread to form an eight day feast (cf. Exodus 12 and Josephus'Antiquities of the Jews 3.10.5).
▣ "a riot might occur among the people" Many pilgrims from Galilee and the Diaspora were present in Jerusalem for observance of the Passover. The Passover was required for all male Jews of twenty years and above (cf. Lev_23:2; Lev_23:4; Lev_23:17; Lev_23:44; Num_29:39). Jerusalem swelled to three times its normal population during the three mandatory annual feasts. The Romans always brought in extra soldiers during the feast days (cf. Mat_27:24).