Matthew 27:1

Matthew 27:1. Now when morning was come. Luke: ‘as soon as it was day;' comp. John 18:28. Probably about sunrise, since the twilight is short in that latitude.

All the chief priests and the elders of the people. The detailed statement of Mark (comp. Luke 22:66) shows that this was a formal meeting of the Sanhedrin, evidently a second one. The mocking spoken of in chap. Matthew 26:67-68, must have intervened. Luke 22:66, indicates that this meeting was held in the council-chamber within the temple-area, where alone, according to the Talmud, sentence of death could be pronounced; also that a formal procession conducted Him thither. It is characteristic of Pharisaism to be most formal when most unjust.

To put him to death. They decided how they should cause Him to be put to death in accordance with the decision of the midnight session. Their plan appears to have been: 1. To ask Pilate's consent, without inquiry, to their sentence of death (John 18:30). 2. If necessary, to make the vague charge, that Jesus claimed to be King of the Jews (Matthew 27:11). This was the ground on which they forced Pilate to consent. 3. Another charge mentioned by John (John 19:7), that He claimed to be the Son of God, may have been determined on, in case He denied the political character of His Messiahship. But it had no effect, and the other accusation was resumed.