The Assembled Religious Leaders - Matthew 26:3

Matthew the apostle wrote, “and it came to pass, when Jesus had finished all these sayings, he said unto his disciples. You know that after two days is the feast of the passover, and the Son of man is betrayed to be crucified”, and in chapter twenty-six and verse three of his book, Matthew writes how the religious leaders “assembled together” where we read:

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,

The verse reads, “Then assembled together the chief priests, and the scribes, and the elders of the people, ...” Matthew began with Jesus' word, “then” which means “at that time and moment” “assembled together” or “gathered, drew, collected and joined as one” “the chief priests” which means “the high priests”, “and the scribes” or “and the men learned in the Mosaic law and in the sacred writings who were interpreters and teachers. Scribes also examined the more difficult and subtle questions of the law”, “and the elders” which refers to “the members of the great council or Sanhedrin” “of the people” or “belonging to the people who lived in Jerusalem and Israel” . Matthew shared how the “religious leaders” gathered which included the “high priests, those learned in the Mosaic law and the sacred writings, and the Sanhedrin which were the celestial council”.

The verse continues, “... unto the palace of the high priest, who was called Caiaphas,” Matthew added the words, “unto the palace” which means “to the open courtyard or mansion” “of the high priest” which means “belonging to the chief priest”, “who was called” or “whose name was” “Caiaphas” which refers to “the high priest of the Jews appointed to that office by Valerius Gratus, governor of Judaea, after removal of Simon, son of Camith, A.D. 18, and was removed A.D. 36 by Vitellius, governor of Syria, who appointed Jonathan, son of Ananus (Annus, father-in-law of Caiaphas), his successor whose name means as comely”. Matthew shared how Jesus said the “religious leaders” gathered together in the “mansion” or “open courtyard” that belonged to “Caiaphas” the “chief priest”.

When we meditate upon Matthew's words in this verse, we see how the “religious leaders” including the “chief priests, the scribes and the elders” gathered together in “Caiaphas'” home where they were to discuss what to do with Jesus. Jesus knew He was going to be “betrayed and condemned” and would “die upon the cross”, and this was the beginning of the “religious leaders'” plan to rid themselves of Him. Little did they know, they were aligning with the plan of God. We shall learn more of their pernicious words and actions, but for now let it suffice to know that God had a plan for the “salvation” of mankind through His Son Jesus, and He was using these “leaders” to fulfill His plan.

Next time we see Matthew share how the religious leaders, “consulted that they might take Jesus by subtlety, and kill him”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.