27 When it was morning, all the chief priests and the elders of the people (Sanhedrin, Jewish High Court) conferred together against Jesus, [plotting how] to put Him to death [since under Roman rule they had no power to execute anyone]; 2 so they bound Him, and led Him away and handed Him over to Pilate the governor [of Judea, who had the authority to condemn prisoners to death].

Matthew 27:1-2 (AMP) 中文

Next day…

It’s now morning. It’s been a long night. No one has slept – including Jesus, who’s been interrogated, humiliated, beaten and falsely accused. The Kangaroo court has ended in a guilty verdict: Jesus blasphemed so He must be killed. And at the same time, Peter has denied Jesus, as Jesus has prophesied. Now the Jewish leaders need to get the judgment carried out.

Plotting death

As we noted earlier (and AMP reinforces in their notes), the Jewish elders had no authority to condemn someone to death. Since Rome was ruling Judea, only Roman officials had the legal power and authority for death sentences. As much as they disliked asking the Romans for any assistance (and showing dependence upon them), they had no choice. 

Send him to Pilate

So they agreed to send Jesus to Pilate to execute Jesus. They would have to come up with just cause. Breaking their religious rules (like blasphemy) would not constitute just cause to the Romans. Their “conferring together” must have had end the result of an accusation against Jesus that would “stick”. They needed one that would prove Him to be a threat to the Romans. We will see later what the charges are. 

Luke 3:1 tells us that Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea, which included Jerusalem. So he had the authority to send Jesus to His death by execution. But how could they convince Pilate? As we shall see, this becomes a very tricky situation for them. 

“The Jewish leaders had reason to expect a favorable result when they went to Pilate. Secular history shows us that he was a cruel, ruthless man, almost completely insensitive to the moral feelings of others. Surely, they thought, Pilate will put this Jesus to death.” (enduringword.com)

RЯeflection

• Imagine the composure of Jesus. What thoughts were passing through His mind? He knew where this would end. He was putting up with this farce for a purpose. Thankfully He had earlier prayed and settled that this was the only way. It was the Father’s way. And He came to do the Father’s will (John 6:37). Let us take courage from that to face trials as we go about the Father’s business. But that assumes we are seeking to do His will! Are you?