Matthew Chapter 26, Verse 3
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3: τοτε συνηχθησαν οι αρχιερεις και οι γραμματεις και οι πρεσβυτεροι του λαου εις την αυλην του αρχιερεως του λεγομενου καιαφα
3: Then assembled together the chief priests, and the scribes,
and the elders of the people, unto the palace of the high priest, who was called Caiaphas,
3: Then were gathered together the chief priests and ancients of the
people, into the court of the high priest, who was called Caiphas:
'Then assembled, etc. This was a meeting of the great council or sanhedrim. See Barnes "Mt 5:22".
The palace. The original word properly denotes the hall or large area in the centre of the dwelling, called the court. See Barnes "Mt 9:2".
It may be understood, however, as referring to the palace itself.
The High Priest. Holding the office that was first conferred on Aaron, Ex 28:1 and following. The office was at first hereditary, descending on the eldest son Num 3:10. Antiochus Epiphanes, (B. C. 160) when he had possession of Judea, sold the office to the highest bidder. In the year 152 B.C., Alexander, king of Syria, conferred the office on JONATHAN, 1Macc 10:18ff, whose brother Simon was afterwards created by the Jews both prince and high priest, 1Macc 14:35ff. His posterity, who at the same time sustained the office of kings, occupied the station of high priest till the time of Herod, who changed the incumbents of the office at pleasure: a liberty which the Romans ever afterwards exercised without any restraint. The office was never more fluctuating than in the time of Jesus. Hence it is said that Caiaphas was high priest for that year, Jn 11:51. Persons who had been high priests, and had been removed from office, still retained the name. Hence more than one high priest is sometimes mentioned, though strictly there was but one who held the office.
