Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary Matthew 26:4

"and they took counsel together that they might take Jesus by subtlety, and kill him." — Matthew 26:4 (ASV)

Opposition to Jesus had been rising for some time (cf. 12:14; 21:45–46). God, however, is in control of these events. The leaders may plot; but if Jesus dies, he dies as a voluntary Passover sacrifice (vv.53–54).

Caiaphas is called the high priest in Matthew and John (11:49); Luke (Acts 4:6) specifies Annas. There is no real conflict. Annas was deposed by the secular authorities in A. D. 15 and replaced by Caiaphas, who lived and ruled till his death in A. D. 36. But since according to the OT the high priest was not to be replaced till after his death, the transfer of power was illegal. Doubtless some continued to call either man “high priest.” Certainly Annas, Caiaphas’s father-inlaw , continued to exercise great authority behind the scenes.

The combination of “assembled” and “plotted” in vv.3–4 strongly suggests an allusion to Ps 31:13 (cf. also Ps. 31:5). Earlier that day the leaders had wanted to arrest Jesus but dared not do so for fear of the people (21:46). Now they decide to do away with Jesus, recognizing that they must do this by stealth so as not to excite the crowds and start a riot (see comments on Mk 14:2, 10–11). VII. The Passion and Resurrection of Jesus (26:6–28:20)