Matthew 27:1
When the morning was come, all the chief priests and elders of the people took counsel against Jesus to put him to death: When the morning was come, all the chief priests and elders of the people took counsel against Jesus to put him to death:
When morning came, at daybreak, all the chief priests and elders of the people joined together in counsel against Jesus with the purpose and resolve to put Him to death. His condemnation had already been decided, but Jewish law required a formal trial by day, so after being mocked and abused in the guard room He was brought before the judges at daybreak where they pronounced the final sentence of condemnation. Their plan required a formal trial with charges that would condemn Him in both Jewish and Roman eyes — blasphemy to the Jews and sedition to the Romans — and they pursued it through secret, unlawful proceedings seeking to complete it without delay.
This counsel began the trial and humiliation that led to His crucifixion, carried out by binding Him and leading and delivering Him to Pilate the governor like a sentenced criminal and a sheep led to slaughter, exposed as a spectacle to the world, to angels, and to men. Once condemned, He was reviled by the crowd that had hailed Him as king, and the crowd and the elders demanded His crucifixion, showing their resolve to carry out the plan. After Jesus was condemned, Judas recognized the condemnation, confessed that he had betrayed innocent blood, returned the thirty pieces of silver, and then hanged himself after the leaders refused responsibility. The chief priests and elders were professedly pious people, showing that religious profession does not excuse conduct contrary to God's law. Jesus knew this ordeal of betrayal, condemnation, and death was coming, and He allowed an earlier crisis of faith to occur while He was still with His true followers so He could strengthen them, exposing selfish motives and helping prepare the disciples for that trial.