Mark 14:53 They led Jesus away to the high priest; and all the chief priests and the elders and the scribes gathered together.

After arresting Jesus, what does the crowd do?

“They led Jesus away” (Mark 14:53).

ἀπήγαγον (“led away") – 3P Aorist Active Indicative of  ἀπάγω

“to conduct a person from one point to another in a legal process, legal technical term” (BDAG, 95).

Where does the crowd lead Jesus?

“to the high priest (τὸν ἀρχιερέ)” (Mark 14:53).

τὸν ἀρχιερέ ("the high priest") (masculine singular)

"One who serves as head priest, high priest; president of the Sanhedrin” (BDAG, 139).

Who gathers together?

“all the chief priests and the elders and the scribes” (Mark 14:53).

οἱ ἀρχιερεῖς (“the chief priests”) (masculine plural) 

 “a priest of high rank, chief priests, in Israel’s cultic life. The plural is used in the New Testament and in Josephus…to denote members of the Sanhedrin who belonged to highpriestly families: ruling high priests, those who had been deposed, and adult male members of the most prominent priestly families” (BDAG, 139).

οἱ πρεσβύτεροι (“the elders”) (masculine plural) 

“an official, elder, presbyter, for members of a group in the Sanhedrin” (BDAG, 862).

οἱ γραμματεῖς (“the scribes”) (masculine plural)

“an expert in matters relating to divine revelation, specialists in the law of Moses: experts in the law, scholars versed in the law, scribes; mentioned together with high priests…with whom and the elders (often referred to in the same context) their representatives formed the Sanhedrin” (BDAG, 206).

Sanhedrin- “The Jewish court in Jerusalem from the Persian through the Roman period; it had both religious and political powers and comprised the elite (both priestly and lay) of society (ISBE, V 3, 331).

 

LORD God Almighty,

You are the Creator King, Covenant God, and Christ’s King. You reign supreme over Your eternal kingdom of glory. You are the Most High God, the Ancient of Days, and the majestic Sovereign Potentate. No one has authority over You, but You exercise sovereign authority over all. You do not rule by committee, for You are King. All that You purpose and plan, You do. You exalt, and You depose. You make the simple wise, and You confuse the proud and rebellious. All that You do is just and righteous.

By Your sovereign design, You sent Jesus to redeem Your people from sin by the power of His blood. And though in our depravity, sinners crucified the Messiah, Your plans could not be thwarted. You provided the Passover Lamb Who was crucified for the sins of the world. And You did not abandon Jesus to the grave, but raised Him from death in power and glory, revealing Your sovereign power over sin and death. You sent Jesus our High Priest to deliver Your people from sin and death, and You will send King Jesus again to restore Your people and reign over Your kingdom in perfect righteousness and wisdom. Blessed are Your people who take refuge in the Son. Blessed is He who comes in the Name of the LORD.

In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen.