Devine Scripture

Matthew 26:3

What does Matthew 26:3 mean?

A plain-English look at Matthew 26:3 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Matthew 26:3 means

The chief priests and elders convene at Caiaphas’s courtyard to deliberate about Jesus. These are the religious leaders who hold power and influence; their meeting in the high priest’s house indicates official concern and organized opposition. Caiaphas, named here, is central as the presiding religious authority. Their gathering shows intent and coordination—this is not random hostility but a concerted plan. The verse highlights the institutional nature of the threat against Jesus and sets up the legalistic and political conflicts that will lead to his arrest and trial.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

Then were gathered together the chief priests, and the elders of the people, unto the court of the high priest, who was called Caiaphas;

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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,

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

Then were gathered together the chief priests, and the elders of the people, unto the court of the high priest, who was called Caiaphas;

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

Then the chief priests and the rulers of the people came together in the house of the high priest, who was named Caiaphas.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

Then were gathered together the chief priests, and the scribes, and the elders of the people, to the court of the chief priest who was called Caiaphas;

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

Then were gathered together the chief priests and ancients of the people, into the court of the high priest, who was called Caiphas:

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

Then the chief priests and the elders of the people were gathered together to the palace of the high priest who was called Caiaphas,

Context

Immediately after Jesus’ statement about being delivered, Matthew shows the response of Jerusalem’s religious elite. This council scene contrasts Jesus’ openness with the leaders’ secrecy. It underscores the conspiracy element announced earlier and prepares readers for their plotting. The verse anchors the setting—Caiaphas’s house—where the Sanhedrin-style opposition will be orchestrated, giving historical and narrative grounding to the move against Jesus.

v.2Ye know that after two days the passover cometh, and the Son of man is delivered up to be crucified.

v.3This passage

v.4and they took counsel together that they might take Jesus by subtlety, and kill him.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Jeremiah 11:19

    But I was like a gentle lamb that is led to the slaughter; and I knew not that they had devised devices against me, saying, Let us destroy the tree with the fruit thereof, and let us cut him off from the land of the living, that his name may be no more remembered.

  • Matthew 21:45

    And when the chief priests and the Pharisees heard his parables, they perceived that he spake of them.

  • Acts 4:25

    who by the Holy Spirit, by the mouth of our father David thy servant, didst say, Why did the Gentiles rage, And the peoples imagine vain things?

  • Psalms 2:1

    Why do the nations rage, And the peoples meditate a vain thing?

  • Acts 4:5

    And it came to pass on the morrow, that their rulers and elders and scribes were gathered together in Jerusalem;

  • Luke 3:2

    in the high-priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came unto John the son of Zacharias in the wilderness.

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