Luke 22:66
And as soon as it was day, the elders of the people and the chief priests and the scribes came together, and led him into their council, saying,
Original Language Analysis
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
1 of 21
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ὡς
as soon as
G5613
ὡς
as soon as
Strong's:
G5613
Word #:
2 of 21
which how, i.e., in that manner (very variously used, as follows)
ἐγένετο
it was
G1096
ἐγένετο
it was
Strong's:
G1096
Word #:
3 of 21
to cause to be ("gen"-erate), i.e., (reflexively) to become (come into being), used with great latitude (literal, figurative, intensive, etc.)
ἡμέρα
day
G2250
ἡμέρα
day
Strong's:
G2250
Word #:
4 of 21
day, i.e., (literally) the time space between dawn and dark, or the whole 24 hours (but several days were usually reckoned by the jews as inclusive of
συνήχθη
came together
G4863
συνήχθη
came together
Strong's:
G4863
Word #:
5 of 21
to lead together, i.e., collect or convene; specially, to entertain (hospitably)
τὸ
G3588
τὸ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
6 of 21
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
πρεσβυτέριον
the elders
G4244
πρεσβυτέριον
the elders
Strong's:
G4244
Word #:
7 of 21
the order of elders, i.e., (specially), israelite sanhedrin or christian "presbytery"
τοῦ
G3588
τοῦ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
8 of 21
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
λαοῦ
of the people
G2992
λαοῦ
of the people
Strong's:
G2992
Word #:
9 of 21
a people (in general; thus differing from g1218, which denotes one's own populace)
ἀρχιερεῖς
the chief priests
G749
ἀρχιερεῖς
the chief priests
Strong's:
G749
Word #:
10 of 21
the high-priest (literally, of the jews; typically, christ); by extension a chief priest
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
12 of 21
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
14 of 21
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ἀνήγαγον
led
G321
ἀνήγαγον
led
Strong's:
G321
Word #:
15 of 21
to lead up; by extension to bring out; specially, to sail away
αὐτὸν
him
G846
αὐτὸν
him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
16 of 21
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
εἰς
into
G1519
εἰς
into
Strong's:
G1519
Word #:
17 of 21
to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases
τὸ
G3588
τὸ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
18 of 21
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
συνέδριον
council
G4892
συνέδριον
council
Strong's:
G4892
Word #:
19 of 21
a joint session, i.e., (specially), the jewish sanhedrin; by analogy, a subordinate tribunal
Cross References
Mark 15:1And straightway in the morning the chief priests held a consultation with the elders and scribes and the whole council, and bound Jesus, and carried him away, and delivered him to Pilate.Matthew 27:1When the morning was come, all the chief priests and elders of the people took counsel against Jesus to put him to death:Acts 22:5As also the high priest doth bear me witness, and all the estate of the elders: from whom also I received letters unto the brethren, and went to Damascus, to bring them which were there bound unto Jerusalem, for to be punished.Matthew 5:22But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire.
Historical Context
The Sanhedrin met in the Hall of Hewn Stone in the Temple complex. Jewish law (Mishnah tractate Sanhedrin) prohibited capital trials at night, on feast days, or with predetermined verdict. They violated all three. The trial began at dawn (probably 6-7 AM) to finish before Passover lamb sacrifice (afternoon). The chief priests were Sadducees who controlled Temple; scribes were mainly Pharisees who interpreted law. Their cooperation against Jesus shows how seriously they took His threat to their power structures. Though enemies, Pharisees and Sadducees united against Christ.
Questions for Reflection
- Why did religious leaders who claimed devotion to law violate it to condemn Jesus?
- What does the cooperation between typically antagonistic groups (Pharisees, Sadducees) reveal about opposition to Christ?
- How does the legal veneer over predetermined verdict demonstrate religious hypocrisy?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
And as soon as it was day, the elders of the people and the chief priests and the scribes came together, and led him into their council, saying, Dawn brings the formal Sanhedrin trial. The phrase kai hōs egeneto hēmera (καὶ ὡς ἐγένετο ἡμέρα, 'and as it became day') marks legal proceedings—Jewish law required daylight trials. The assembly to presbyterion tou laou archiereis te kai grammateis (τὸ πρεσβυτέριον τοῦ λαοῦ ἀρχιερεῖς τε καὶ γραμματεῖς, 'the council of elders, both chief priests and scribes') represents the Sanhedrin's three groups: elders (tribal leaders), chief priests (Sadducees), and scribes (Pharisees). They synēchthēsan (συνήχθησαν, 'gathered together')—formal convening.
The phrase anēgagon auton eis to synedrion autōn (ἀνήγαγον αὐτὸν εἰς τὸ συνέδριον αὐτῶν, 'they led him into their council') shows Jesus brought before Israel's highest court. The synedrion (συνέδριον, Sanhedrin) had 71 members and authority over religious matters. This 'trial' was predetermined—they already decided to kill Jesus (v. 2), now seeking legal justification. The predawn proceedings with Annas and Caiaphas (John 18:13-24) were illegal reconnaissance; this dawn gathering provides legal veneer for a lynching.