John Gill's Bible Commentary Ver. 2. And the chief priests and Scribes , etc.] Matthew adds, and the elders of the people; which made up the great sanhedrim and council of the nation; these met together, not in their usual place the temple, but at the palace of Caiaphas, the high priest; (see Matthew 24:3). And sought how they might kill him ; that is, Jesus, as the Vulgate Latin and Ethiopic versions read; they had determined before, upon the advice of Caiaphas, to put him to death, and very likely had fixed what kind of death he should die; (see John 11:49,50,53) and now they consult together, of the manner of bringing it about, and at what time; and the majority were not for doing it on a feast day, when there was a great concourse of people, but with more privacy: for they feared the people : which were now in great multitudes with him, who came along with him, from Galilee, and other parts; and had hosanna'd him into the city, and still abode with him, and their numbers were increasing; and the sanhedrim were aware, that at the passover there would be still a greater company of people from all parts of the land; and they might conclude, that he would have a large number of his friends come out of Galilee, where he had been for the most part teaching, and working miracles; and they were afraid, should they lay hold on him publicly, the people would rise and stone them; at least would rescue him out of their hands, and disappoint them of their designs.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 1-6 - Christ knew all men, and had wise and holy ends in taking Judas to be disciple. How he who knew Christ so well, came to betray him, we ar here told; Satan entered into Judas. It is hard to say whether mor mischief is done to Christ's kingdom, by the power of its open enemies or by the treachery of its pretended friends; but without the latter its enemies could not do so much evil as they do.
Greek Textus Receptus
και 2532 CONJ εζητουν 2212 5707 V-IAI-3P οι 3588 T-NPM αρχιερεις 749 N-NPM και 2532 CONJ οι 3588 T-NPM γραμματεις 1122 N-NPM το 3588 T-ASN πως 4459 ADV-I ανελωσιν 337 5661 V-AAS-3P αυτον 846 P-ASM εφοβουντο 5399 5711 V-INI-3P γαρ 1063 CONJ τον 3588 T-ASM λαον 2992 N-ASM
Vincent's NT Word Studies
2. Sought. Imperfect, were seeking, contemporaneously with the approach of the feast.Kill (anelwsin). Lit., to take up and carry off, and so to make way with.
Robertson's NT Word Studies
22:2 {Sought} (ezetoun). Imperfect active of zetew, were seeking, conative imperfect. {How they might put him to death} (to p"s anel"sin auton). Second aorist active deliberative subjunctive (retained in indirect question) of anairew, to take up, to make away with, to slay. Common in Old Greek. Luke uses it so here and in #23:32 and eighteen times in the Acts, a favorite word with him. Note the accusative neuter singular article to with the whole clause, "as to the how, etc." {For they feared} (efobounto gar). Imperfect middle describing the delay of the "how." The triumphal entry and the temple speeches of Jesus had revealed his tremendous power with the people, especially the crowds from Galilee at the feast. They were afraid to go on with their plan to kill him at the feast.
