Matthew 26:57

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

¶ And they that had laid hold on Jesus led [him] away to Caiaphas the high priest, where the scribes and the elders were assembled.

Complete Jewish Bible:

Those who had seized Yeshua led him off to Kayafa the cohen hagadol, where the Torah-teachers and elders were assembled.

Berean Standard Bible:

Those who had arrested Jesus led Him away to the house of Caiaphas the high priest, where the scribes and elders had gathered.

American Standard Version:

And they that had taken Jesus led him away to the house of Caiaphas the high priest, where the scribes and the elders were gathered together.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

And{G1161} they that had laid hold{G2902} on Jesus{G2424} led him away{G520} to{G4314} Caiaphas{G2533} the high priest{G749}, where{G3699} the scribes{G1122} and{G2532} the elders{G4245} were assembled{G4863}.

Cross-References (KJV):

Matthew 26:3

  • Then assembled together the chief priests, and the scribes, and the elders of the people, unto the palace of the high priest, who was called Caiaphas,

Luke 22:54

  • ¶ Then took they him, and led [him], and brought him into the high priest's house. And Peter followed afar off.

Luke 22:55

  • And when they had kindled a fire in the midst of the hall, and were set down together, Peter sat down among them.

John 11:49

  • And one of them, [named] Caiaphas, being the high priest that same year, said unto them, Ye know nothing at all,

Psalms 56:5

  • Every day they wrest my words: all their thoughts [are] against me for evil.

Psalms 56:6

  • They gather themselves together, they hide themselves, they mark my steps, when they wait for my soul.

Mark 14:53

  • ¶ And they led Jesus away to the high priest: and with him were assembled all the chief priests and the elders and the scribes.

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Commentary for Matthew 26:57

Matthew 26:57 is a pivotal verse in the narrative of Jesus' Passion, capturing the moment when Jesus is taken to the home of Caiaphas the high priest after His arrest in the Garden of Gethsemane. The verse reads, "And they that had laid hold on Jesus led [him] away to Caiaphas the high priest, where the scribes and the elders were assembled." This event occurs during the final days of Jesus' earthly ministry, in the hours leading up to His crucifixion.

The historical context of this verse is set against the backdrop of first-century Jerusalem during the Jewish festival of Passover. Tensions were high between the Jewish religious leaders and Jesus, whose teachings and miracles had challenged the established religious order and authority. The scribes and elders, who were part of the Sanhedrin (the Jewish religious council), had been seeking to eliminate Jesus because they viewed Him as a threat to their power and to the stability of their relationship with the Roman occupiers.

In the verse, the mention of Caiaphas is significant because he was the high priest at the time and played a crucial role in orchestrating Jesus' trial and subsequent execution. The assembly of the scribes and elders indicates that a formal, albeit illegal and covert, trial was about to take place. Jewish law required that capital cases be tried during the day and not on the eve of a Sabbath or festival, and defendants were to be given a fair hearing with the chance to confront their accusers—conditions not met in Jesus' case.

The themes present in this verse include injustice, religious hypocrisy, and the fulfillment of prophecy. Jesus, the innocent and righteous one, is subjected to a sham trial by those who are supposed to be the guardians of justice and faith. This event fulfills prophetic scriptures concerning the suffering and rejection of the Messiah. Additionally, the verse foreshadows the sacrificial role Jesus is about to fulfill, as He is led to His death to atone for the sins of humanity, according to Christian theology.

In summary, Matthew 26:57 captures a moment of deep betrayal and injustice, as Jesus is brought before a kangaroo court presided over by Caiaphas and other religious leaders. This event is a critical step in the divine plan for Jesus' sacrificial death and resurrection, which stands at the heart of the Christian faith.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

  1. Strong's Number: G1161
    There are 2556 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: δέ
    Transliteration:
    Pronunciation: deh
    Description: a primary particle (adversative or continuative); but, and, etc.:--also, and, but, moreover, now (often unexpressed in English).
  2. Strong's Number: G2902
    There are 46 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: κρατέω
    Transliteration: kratéō
    Pronunciation: krat-eh'-o
    Description: from κράτος; to use strength, i.e. seize or retain (literally or figuratively):--hold (by, fast), keep, lay hand (hold) on, obtain, retain, take (by).
  3. Strong's Number: G2424
    There are 935 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: Ἰησοῦς
    Transliteration: Iēsoûs
    Pronunciation: ee-ay-sooce'
    Description: of Hebrew origin (יְהוֹשׁוּעַ); Jesus (i.e. Jehoshua), the name of our Lord and two (three) other Israelites:--Jesus.
  4. Strong's Number: G520
    There are 823 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: ἀπάγω
    Transliteration: apágō
    Pronunciation: ap-ag'-o
    Description: from ἀπό and ἄγω; to take off (in various senses):--bring, carry away, lead (away), put to death, take away.
  5. Strong's Number: G4314
    There are 674 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: πρός
    Transliteration: prós
    Pronunciation: pros
    Description: a strengthened form of πρό; a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e. toward (with the genitive case, the side of, i.e. pertaining to; with the dative case, by the side of, i.e. near to; usually with the accusative case, the place, time, occasion, or respect, which is the destination of the relation, i.e. whither or for which it is predicated):--about, according to , against, among, at, because of, before, between, (where-)by, for, X at thy house, in, for intent, nigh unto, of, which pertain to, that, to (the end that), X together, to (you) -ward, unto, with(-in). In the comparative case, it denotes essentially the same applications, namely, motion towards, accession to, or nearness at.
  6. Strong's Number: G2533
    There are 9 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: Καϊάφας
    Transliteration: Kaïáphas
    Pronunciation: kah-ee-af'-as
    Description: of Chaldee origin; the dell; Caiaphas (i.e. Cajepha), an Israelite:--Caiaphas.
  7. Strong's Number: G749
    There are 120 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: ἀρχιερεύς
    Transliteration: archiereús
    Pronunciation: ar-khee-er-yuce'
    Description: from ἀρχή and ἱερεύς; the high-priest (literally, of the Jews, typically, Christ); by extension a chief priest:--chief (high) priest, chief of the priests.
  8. Strong's Number: G3699
    There are 77 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: ὅπου
    Transliteration: hópou
    Pronunciation: hop'-oo
    Description: from ὅς and πού; what(-ever) where, i.e. at whichever spot:--in what place, where(-as, -soever), whither (+ soever).
  9. Strong's Number: G1122
    There are 67 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: γραμματεύς
    Transliteration: grammateús
    Pronunciation: gram-mat-yooce'
    Description: from γράμμα. a writer, i.e. (professionally) scribe or secretary:--scribe, town-clerk.
  10. Strong's Number: G2532
    There are 5212 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: καί
    Transliteration: kaí
    Pronunciation: kahee
    Description: apparently, a primary particle, having a copulative and sometimes also a cumulative force; and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words:--and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet.
  11. Strong's Number: G4245
    There are 67 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: πρεσβύτερος
    Transliteration: presbýteros
    Pronunciation: pres-boo'-ter-os
    Description: comparative of (elderly); older; as noun, a senior; specially, an Israelite Sanhedrist (also figuratively, member of the celestial council) or Christian "presbyter":-- elder(-est), old.
  12. Strong's Number: G4863
    There are 62 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: συνάγω
    Transliteration: synágō
    Pronunciation: soon-ag'-o
    Description: from σύν and ἄγω; to lead together, i.e. collect or convene; specially, to entertain (hospitably):--+ accompany, assemble (selves, together), bestow, come together, gather (selves together, up, together), lead into, resort, take in.