Matthew 26:57

Led him away. [Night Trial Before the Sanhedrin, Matt 26:57-75=Mark 14:53—72=Luke 22:54-65=John 18:25-27. Major comment: Matthew. See Betrayal, Trial and Crucifixion of Jesus; Passion Week.] Jesus was seized at midnight (see DA 698, 699, 760). His trial consisted of two phases, the first being the ecclesiastical trial before the Jewish religious authorities, and the second the civil trial before Pilate and Herod. He was given two preliminary hearings, one before Annas alone and another before Annas and Caiaphas (cf. DA 698, 703, 760), and was arraigned twice before the Sanhedrin, first by night and then by day (cf. DA 703, 714, 760). He appeared twice before Pilate (cf. DA 723, 760), and once before Herod, between the two appearances before Pilate (cf. DA 728, 760). For a discussion of the purpose of each of these stages in the trial and condemnation of Jesus, see Additional Notes at end of chapter, Note 2.

Caiaphas. See on Luke 3:2. Caiaphas served as high priest from about A.D. 18-36, having been appointed by Valerius Gratus, predecessor of Pontius Pilate (Josephus Antiquities xviii. 2. 2). See The Chronology of Luke 3:1,2, Palestine Under the Herodians.

The scribes and the elders. The Sanhedrin was composed of members from these two groups, and from the priests. All three are listed in the parallel passage in Mark (ch. 14:53). Concerning the scribes see p. 55; see on Matt. 2:4; Mark 1:22.

Assembled. That is, for the night trial of Jesus, at approximately 3 A.M. Members of the Sanhedrin who were friendly toward Jesus, or at least interested in giving Him a fair hearing, were deliberately not invited (see on v. 66).