Albert Barnes Commentary Matthew 26:3

"Then were gathered together the chief priests, and the elders of the people, unto the court of the high priest, who was called Caiaphas;" — Matthew 26:3 (ASV)

Then assembled, etc. This was a meeting of the great council or Sanhedrin. See the notes on Matthew 5:22.

The palace. The original word properly denotes the hall or large area in the center of the dwelling, called the court. See the notes on Matthew 9:2.

It may be understood, however, as referring to the palace itself.

The High Priest. Holding the office that was first conferred on Aaron, Exodus 28:1 and following. The office was at first hereditary, descending on the eldest son, Numbers 3:10. Antiochus Epiphanes (B.C. 160), when he had possession of Judea, sold the office to the highest bidder. In the year 152 B.C., Alexander, king of Syria, conferred the office on JONATHAN, 1 Maccabees 10:18-20, whose brother Simon was afterwards created by the Jews both prince and high priest, 1 Maccabees 14:35-47.

His posterity, who at the same time sustained the office of kings, occupied the station of high priest until the time of Herod, who changed the incumbents of the office at will; a liberty which the Romans afterwards exercised without any restraint.

The office was never more fluctuating than in the time of our Savior. Hence it is said that Caiaphas was high priest for that year, John 11:51.

Persons who had been high priests and had been removed from office still retained the name. Hence, more than one high priest is sometimes mentioned, though strictly there was but one who held the office.