"When the morning was come, all the chief priests and elders of the people took counsel against Jesus to put him to death: (2) And when they had bound him, they led him away, and delivered him to Pontius Pilate the governor."
It should seem pretty evident, that so intent were the Chief Priests and Elders, headed by Annas and Caiaphas, to destroy Christ, that they sat up all night in council: for Luke saith, that as soon as it was day, they were again assembled for this purpose. Luke 22:66. I interrupt the history for a moment, to remind the Reader, what a sweet observation the Lord Jesus made upon this eagerness of his enemies to kill him, when in answer to what Pilate said of his authority: speakest thou not to me, said the poor proud worm, knowest thou not that I have power to crucify thee, and have power to release thee? Jesus answered: thou couldst have no power at all against me, except it were given thee from above. John 19:10-11. Oh! how truly blessed is it always to keep in view Jehovah's hand, and ordination in the wonders of redemption! Blessedly also to this purport, is the word of the Lord's servants after attending to those of the Master. For in that prayer offered up by the whole college of Apostles, soon after the day of Pentecost, and which was answered by the Lord, in the place being shaken where they were assembled; we find those words, in making application of Psalms 2:1 : Why did the heathen rage, and the people imagine vain things? The kings of the earth stood up, and the rulers were gathered against the Lord and against his Christ. For of a truth against thy holy child Jesus both Herod, and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles, and the people of Israel, were gathered together. But then it is added; For to do whatsoever thy hand, and thy counsel determined before to be done. Acts 4:25-28.