And the captain of the guard took Seraiah the chief priest, and Zephaniah the second priest, and the three keepers of the door:
Ver. 18. And the captain of the guard took Seraiah, &c.] These likely were fired out of those secret corners of the temple where they lay hid. Our chroniclers a tell us that William the Conqueror, firing the city Mentz or Mayence in France, consumed a fair church there, in the walls whereof was enclosed an anchoret - Stow saith two - who might, but would not escape, holding it a breach of his religious vow to forsake his cell in that distress. Other histories tell us, that at the last destruction of Jerusalem, certain Jews who had taken sanctuary in the temple, came forth when it was on fire, and besought the Emperor Titus to give them quarter for their lives: but he refused so to do; giving this for a reason, which indeed was no reason, Ye deserve not to live, who will not die with the downfall of your temple.
And Zephaniah the second priest.] The high priest's great deputy or suffragan; who, upon any extraordinary occasion or occurrent restraining or disabling the high priest, was to supply his place.
a Speed, 447.