Definition: And they that had laid hold on Jesus led [him] away to Caiaphas the high priest, where the scribes and the elders were assembled.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this passage from Matthew 26:57. It’s a really important part of what happens before Jesus’ final moments. Here's what it means in simple terms: Basically, Jesus was taken away from the crowd by a group of people. Let's unpack that a little bit: “They had laid hold on him”: This means they were holding onto Jesus – physically and perhaps symbolically – as if he was about to be harmed. “…led [him] away…”: They weren’t just standing around; they actively took him in a different direction. “…to Caiaphas the high priest”: Caiaphas was a religious leader, known for being strict and demanding. He was in charge of overseeing the temple rituals and making sure everything was right according to Jewish law. He was a significant figure in the event. "...where the scribes and the elders were assembled.” This is crucial. The scribes are men who copy documents, and the elders are older, more experienced members of the religious community. They were all gathered together – likely to discuss Jesus’ fate. So, what does this tell us? This scene shows that Jesus was being treated with a lot of suspicion and concern. It suggests that he might have been considered a threat or someone who needed to be handled carefully. It's a pivotal moment where the authorities were starting to consider what would happen to him. Why is this significant? This event is seen as a foreshadowing of Jesus’ crucifixion. It’s a sign that something terrible was about to occur, and it sets up the events leading up to his death. --- Do you want me to: Explain another verse from Matthew 26? Discuss the context of this passage (like what was happening in the Jewish community at the time)?