Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary Matthew 26:66

"what think ye? They answered and said, He is worthy of death." — Matthew 26:66 (ASV)

Rending garments was an expression of indignation or grief (cf. 2 Kings 18:37; Acts 14:14). Whether the Sanhedrin thought Jesus was blaspheming because he claimed to be Messiah, because he put himself on the Mighty One’s right hand, or because God had not especially attested who Jesus was is uncertain. The decision of the assembled members of the Sanhedrin appears to have been by acclamation. Jesus is “worthy” of the death penalty, mandated for “blasphemy” (GK 1059–1060; cf. Leviticus 24:16).