Luke 22:2

2 The high priests and religion scholars were looking for a way to do away with Jesus but, fearful of the people, they were also looking for a way to cover their tracks.

Luke 22:2 Meaning and Commentary

Luke 22:2

And the chief priests and Scribes
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 John 11:50 John 11:53 ) 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.

Luke 22:2 In-Context

1 The Feast of Unleavened Bread, also called Passover, drew near.

2 The high priests and religion scholars were looking for a way to do away with Jesus but, fearful of the people, they were also looking for a way to cover their tracks.

3 That's when Satan entered Judas, the one called Iscariot. He was one of the Twelve.

4 Leaving the others, he conferred with the high priests and the Temple guards about how he might betray Jesus to them.

5 They couldn't believe their good luck and agreed to pay him well.