Matthew 27:1
When the morning was come, all the chief priests and elders of the people took counsel against Jesus to put him to death:
Original Language Analysis
γενομένης
was come
G1096
γενομένης
was come
Strong's:
G1096
Word #:
3 of 19
to cause to be ("gen"-erate), i.e., (reflexively) to become (come into being), used with great latitude (literal, figurative, intensive, etc.)
συμβούλιον
counsel
G4824
συμβούλιον
counsel
Strong's:
G4824
Word #:
4 of 19
advisement; specially, a deliberative body, i.e., the provincial assessors or lay-court
οἱ
G3588
οἱ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
7 of 19
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἀρχιερεῖς
the chief priests
G749
ἀρχιερεῖς
the chief priests
Strong's:
G749
Word #:
8 of 19
the high-priest (literally, of the jews; typically, christ); by extension a chief priest
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
9 of 19
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
οἱ
G3588
οἱ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
10 of 19
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
πρεσβύτεροι
elders
G4245
πρεσβύτεροι
elders
Strong's:
G4245
Word #:
11 of 19
older; as noun, a senior; specially, an israelite sanhedrist (also figuratively, member of the celestial council) or christian "presbyter"
τοῦ
G3588
τοῦ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
12 of 19
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
λαοῦ
of the people
G2992
λαοῦ
of the people
Strong's:
G2992
Word #:
13 of 19
a people (in general; thus differing from g1218, which denotes one's own populace)
κατὰ
against
G2596
κατὰ
against
Strong's:
G2596
Word #:
14 of 19
(prepositionally) down (in place or time), in varied relations (according to the case (genitive, dative or accusative) with which it is joined)
τοῦ
G3588
τοῦ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
15 of 19
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Ἰησοῦ
Jesus
G2424
Ἰησοῦ
Jesus
Strong's:
G2424
Word #:
16 of 19
jesus (i.e., jehoshua), the name of our lord and two (three) other israelites
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.John 18:28Then led they Jesus from Caiaphas unto the hall of judgment: and it was early; and they themselves went not into the judgment hall, lest they should be defiled; but that they might eat the passover.Psalms 2:2The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the LORD, and against his anointed, saying,Luke 22:66And 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,Micah 2:1Woe to them that devise iniquity, and work evil upon their beds! when the morning is light, they practise it, because it is in the power of their hand.Matthew 23:13But woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye shut up the kingdom of heaven against men: for ye neither go in yourselves, neither suffer ye them that are entering to go in.
Historical Context
This occurred Friday morning, circa AD 30-33, during Passover week when Jerusalem swelled with pilgrims. The Sanhedrin met in the Chamber of Hewn Stone on the Temple Mount. Though they had religious authority, Roman occupation meant only the prefect could execute capital punishment. The chief priests were predominantly Sadducees who collaborated with Rome, viewing Jesus as a threat to their political arrangement (John 11:48).
Questions for Reflection
- When have you witnessed authority figures manipulating legal procedures to achieve predetermined outcomes? How does Christ's silent submission challenge worldly power?
- The religious establishment condemned the Messiah they claimed to await. What blindness in your own religious tradition might cause you to reject God's work?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
When the morning was come (πρωΐας δὲ γενομένης)—The Sanhedrin reconvened at daybreak to give their condemnation legal legitimacy, as capital trials conducted at night were prohibited under Jewish law (Mishnah Sanhedrin 4:1). Their nocturnal examination was illegal; this morning session was a façade of due process.
All the chief priests and elders formed the Sanhedrin, Israel's supreme court of 71 members. The phrase took counsel (συμβούλιον ἔλαβον) means they reached a formal verdict—not merely deliberation, but judicial conspiracy. To put him to death (ὥστε θανατῶσαι αὐτόν) reveals their predetermined intent: not justice but execution. Since Rome had removed capital jurisdiction from Jewish courts (John 18:31), they needed Pilate's cooperation, transforming religious charges into political treason.