Matthew 26:3

KJV

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,

KJV (with Strong's)

Then {G5119} assembled together {G4863} the chief priests {G749}, and {G2532} the scribes {G1122}, and {G2532} the elders {G4245} of the people {G2992}, unto {G1519} the palace {G833} of the high priest {G749}, who {G3588} was called {G3004} Caiaphas {G2533},

Complete Jewish Bible

Then the head cohanim and the elders of the people gathered in the palace of Kayafa the cohen hagadol.

Berean Standard Bible

At that time the chief priests and elders of the people assembled in the courtyard of the high priest, whose name was Caiaphas,

American Standard Version

Then were gathered together the chief priests, and the elders of the people, unto the court of the high priest, who was called Caiaphas;

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Matthew 26:3 marks a pivotal moment in the Passion narrative, detailing the formal assembly of the Jewish religious leadership—the chief priests, scribes, and elders—at the residence of Caiaphas, the high priest. This clandestine gathering was convened with the explicit and sinister purpose of devising a strategy to apprehend Jesus by stealth and ultimately put Him to death, setting the stage for the events of His betrayal, trial, and crucifixion.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse immediately follows Jesus' pronouncement to His disciples that the Passover is two days away, and He will be betrayed to be crucified ([Matthew 26:1-2](/matthew/26-1-2 "Matthew 26:1-2 - Jesus Predicts His Death")). It is strategically placed just after the account of the woman anointing Jesus at Bethany ([Matthew 26:6-13](/matthew/26-6-13 "Matthew 26:6-13 - The Anointing at Bethany")), creating a stark narrative contrast between an act of profound devotion and the brewing conspiracy of the religious elite. The meeting described here directly precedes Judas Iscariot's agreement to betray Jesus ([Matthew 26:14-16](/matthew/26-14-16 "Matthew 26:14-16 - Judas Agrees to Betray Jesus")), highlighting the immediate cause-and-effect relationship between the leaders' plot and the means of Jesus' capture. This assembly represents the culmination of growing opposition to Jesus throughout His ministry, particularly after His public challenges to their authority and His cleansing of the Temple.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The "chief priests, scribes, and elders" constituted the Sanhedrin, the supreme Jewish judicial and religious council in Jerusalem. This body exercised significant authority under Roman rule, though their power to execute capital punishment was limited, often requiring Roman approval. The high priest, Caiaphas, was the presiding officer of the Sanhedrin, a politically appointed position by the Roman authorities, serving as both a religious and political liaison. His "palace" (`aulē`) was not merely a private residence but the official seat of his office, making it the natural and authoritative location for such a critical assembly. The timing, just before the Passover feast, was crucial; the leaders sought to arrest Jesus "not during the feast, lest there be an uproar among the people" ([Matthew 26:5](/matthew/26-5 "Matthew 26:5 - Not During the Feast")), indicating their fear of public unrest due to Jesus' popularity.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in Matthew's Gospel. Firstly, it underscores the **Conspiracy Against Jesus**, revealing the deliberate and organized efforts of the Jewish leadership to eliminate Him. This is not a spontaneous act but a calculated plot. Secondly, it highlights the tragic **Rejection of the Messiah by Religious Authority**. The very individuals entrusted with guiding Israel in God's law and preparing them for the Messiah are the ones actively plotting against Him, demonstrating a profound spiritual blindness and a prioritizing of their own power and traditions over divine truth. This theme is echoed throughout Jesus' ministry, particularly in His condemnations of the Pharisees and scribes ([Matthew 23](/matthew/23 "Matthew 23 - Woes to the Scribes and Pharisees")). Finally, the verse sets the stage for the **Fulfillment of Prophecy** concerning the suffering and death of the Messiah, demonstrating how human agency, even in its most malicious forms, serves God's sovereign plan.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **assembled together (Greek, _synágō'_):** From *syn* (together) and *agō* (to lead), this verb means "to lead together, i.e., collect or convene." It emphasizes the deliberate, intentional nature of this gathering. This was not a casual meeting but a formal convocation of the highest religious authorities, united in their purpose to deal with Jesus.
* **chief priests (Greek, _archiereús'_):** While the verse uses the plural "chief priests," the root word *archiereús* refers to "the high-priest (literally, of the Jews, typically, Christ); by extension a chief priest." This term encompasses not only the current high priest (Caiaphas) but also former high priests, heads of the twenty-four priestly courses, and leading members of the priestly aristocracy. Their presence signifies the full weight of the priestly establishment's opposition.
* **palace (Greek, _aulḗ'_):** Derived from a word meaning "open to the wind," *aulḗ* can refer to a courtyard, a sheepfold, or, as here, a mansion or official residence. In this context, it denotes the official residence of the high priest, Caiaphas. This location signifies the formal, authoritative, and institutional nature of the meeting, emphasizing that the plot against Jesus originated from the very heart of the Jewish religious establishment.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Then assembled together":** This phrase indicates a specific point in time, immediately following Jesus' prediction of His crucifixion and the anointing at Bethany. "Assembled together" (from *synágō*) highlights the deliberate and concerted effort of the leaders to convene for a singular, malicious purpose.
* **"the chief priests, and the scribes, and the elders of the people":** This tripartite group represents the full composition of the Sanhedrin, the supreme Jewish council. The "chief priests" were the priestly aristocracy, including the high priest and heads of priestly families. The "scribes" were experts in the Mosaic Law, serving as legal scholars and teachers. The "elders" were respected lay leaders, often heads of prominent families or clans. Their combined presence signifies the unified opposition of the religious, legal, and aristocratic segments of Jewish society against Jesus.
* **"unto the palace of the high priest, who was called Caiaphas":** This specifies the location of the assembly as the official residence of the current high priest, Caiaphas. Caiaphas, appointed by the Roman prefect Valerius Gratus around AD 18 and serving until AD 36, was a central figure in the Jewish political and religious landscape. His palace served as the de facto seat of the Sanhedrin, lending an air of official authority and gravity to their conspiratorial meeting.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several literary devices to convey its profound significance. **Foreshadowing** is prominent, as this clandestine meeting directly sets the stage for Jesus' arrest, trial, and crucifixion, fulfilling His earlier predictions. The narrative creates a powerful **Contrast** between the genuine devotion shown by the woman who anoints Jesus in the preceding passage and the malevolent conspiracy brewing among the religious leaders. This highlights the spiritual blindness of those in power compared to the insight of a humble follower. Furthermore, there is a strong sense of **Irony** in the fact that the very custodians of God's Law and the spiritual leaders of Israel are the ones plotting against the Messiah, the embodiment of divine truth. The "palace of the high priest" functions as a **Symbol** of institutional religious authority, now corrupted and turned against God's Anointed One.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse underscores the profound theological truth that humanity, even in its most religious forms, can actively reject God's revelation and His Anointed One. The assembly of the Sanhedrin is not merely a political maneuver but a spiritual rebellion against the divine will, demonstrating the human heart's capacity for hardened unbelief and the corrupting influence of power. Their plot, though driven by fear and self-preservation, ultimately serves God's sovereign plan for redemption, illustrating how even evil intentions can be woven into the fabric of divine purpose. This meeting is a stark reminder that true faith is not found in religious office or institutional adherence, but in humble submission to Christ.

* [Mark 14:1](/mark/14-1 "Mark 14:1 - The Plot Against Jesus")
* [Luke 22:1-2](/luke/22-1-2 "Luke 22:1-2 - The Plot to Kill Jesus")
* [John 11:47-53](/john/11-47-53 "John 11:47-53 - The Sanhedrin Plots to Kill Jesus")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Matthew 26:3 serves as a sobering mirror, prompting us to examine the depths of our own hearts and the nature of our faith. It reveals the perilous danger of religious hypocrisy and the insidious way that power, tradition, and self-interest can blind even those who claim to serve God to the truth of His Son. The Sanhedrin, entrusted with spiritual leadership, became agents of opposition, demonstrating that outward religious observance does not guarantee inward spiritual discernment. This challenges us to consistently evaluate whether our allegiance is truly to Christ and His kingdom, or to human institutions, personal influence, or comfortable traditions. It calls for humility, a willingness to be corrected by God's Word, and a vigilant guarding against the pride and fear that can lead us away from genuine devotion.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what ways can religious institutions or personal spiritual practices become a barrier to truly encountering Christ?**
* **How might fear of losing control or status lead individuals or groups to oppose divine truth?**
* **What lessons can we draw from the Sanhedrin's actions about the importance of spiritual discernment and humility?**
* **How can we ensure our faith remains genuinely Christ-centered, rather than becoming entangled in human traditions or power structures?**

### FAQ
**Who were the "chief priests, scribes, and elders" mentioned in this verse?**

Answer: These three groups collectively formed the Sanhedrin, the supreme Jewish religious and judicial council in Jerusalem. The "chief priests" included the high priest, former high priests, and the heads of the major priestly families. The "scribes" were legal experts and interpreters of the Mosaic Law, often associated with the Pharisees. The "elders" were respected lay leaders, typically heads of prominent families or clans, representing the aristocracy and influential citizens. Together, they represented the highest religious and political authority within Jewish society under Roman rule.

**Why did they assemble at Caiaphas's palace?**

Answer: Caiaphas was the reigning high priest at the time, and his "palace" (`aulḗ`) served as the official residence and a de facto meeting place for the Sanhedrin. As the president of the council, it was natural for him to host such a critical and sensitive meeting. The choice of his palace underscored the official and authoritative nature of their gathering, signifying that the plot against Jesus was not a fringe idea but a decision made at the highest levels of Jewish religious power.

**What was the ultimate goal of this assembly?**

Answer: The primary goal of this assembly, as stated in the subsequent verses ([Matthew 26:4](/matthew/26-4 "Matthew 26:4 - They Plotted to Arrest Jesus by Stealth")), was to "seize Jesus by stealth and kill Him." They sought to eliminate Jesus because His teachings, miracles, and growing popularity challenged their authority, traditions, and understanding of the Messiah. They feared He would incite a Roman crackdown or undermine their established power structure. Their aim was to accomplish this quietly, "not during the feast, lest there be an uproar among the people."

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The assembly of the chief priests, scribes, and elders at Caiaphas's palace, plotting to kill Jesus, is a profound moment of Christ-centered fulfillment. Far from being a mere human conspiracy, this event, born of fear and malice, was paradoxically part of God's predetermined plan for the redemption of humanity. The rejection of Jesus by the religious leaders, the very people who should have recognized and welcomed their Messiah, was a necessary step in the unfolding of God's redemptive narrative. As the suffering servant prophesied in [Isaiah 53](/isaiah/53 "Isaiah 53 - The Suffering Servant"), Jesus was "oppressed and afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth" ([Isaiah 53:7](/isaiah/53-7 "Isaiah 53:7 - He was oppressed and afflicted")). The New Testament consistently affirms that Jesus' death was not a tragic accident but a deliberate act of God's sovereign will, accomplished through human agency. Peter declared that Jesus was "delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God" ([Acts 2:23](/acts/2-23 "Acts 2:23 - God's Definite Plan")). Christ, the true High Priest, willingly submitted to this plot, not as a helpless victim, but as the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")). His obedience "to the point of death, even death on a cross" ([Philippians 2:8](/philippians/2-8 "Philippians 2:8 - Obedience to Death")) transformed the council's evil intent into the means of salvation, demonstrating that even the darkest human acts cannot thwart God's glorious purpose, but rather serve to bring about the ultimate triumph of His Son.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

John 18:24

Now Annas had sent him bound unto Caiaphas the high priest.

John 11:47

Then gathered the chief priests and the Pharisees a council, and said, What do we? for this man doeth many miracles.

John 11:53

Then from that day forth they took counsel together for to put him to death.

Mark 14:54

And Peter followed him afar off, even into the palace of the high priest: and he sat with the servants, and warmed himself at the fire.

Acts 4:25

Who by the mouth of thy servant David hast said, Why did the heathen rage, and the people imagine vain things?

Acts 4:28

For to do whatsoever thy hand and thy counsel determined before to be done.

John 18:13

¶ And led him away to Annas first; for he was father in law to Caiaphas, which was the high priest that same year.