Matthew 26:4 tells us that the chief priests and elders met together to plan a way to seize Jesus secretly and put him to death. The verse is a short report of a conspiracy, and it shows that the opposition to Jesus had become organized and determined. Matthew writes it as a narrator, not as a quotation from Jesus, so the words describe what the religious leaders decided among themselves.
They took counsel together that they might take Jesus by deceit, and kill him.
Matthew 26:4 (WEB)
What Matthew 26:4 Means
The verse begins with “They took counsel together,” which means the leaders held a formal meeting to discuss a course of action. The word “counsel” points to deliberate planning rather than a sudden outburst of anger. They were not reacting in the heat of the moment; they were choosing what to do.
Next comes the phrase “that they might take Jesus by deceit,” which tells us their method. They did not plan to arrest him openly, because they were afraid of the crowds who followed him. Instead they wanted to trick him, to catch him in a way that would avoid public notice. The last words, “and kill him,” reveal the goal. The verse does not promise anything to the reader. It simply records a plot, and the rest of the chapter shows how events unfolded.
The Context of Matthew 26:4
Matthew’s Gospel was written for a community that knew the Jewish scriptures well and wanted to understand how Jesus fit within them. The author presents Jesus as the promised king and teacher, and he often records the growing hostility of the religious authorities as a theme running through the book. Matthew wrote for readers who would recognize the names of Caiaphas and the high priest’s court, so the verse carries the weight of a real and dangerous setting.
The verses just before it show Jesus telling his disciples that the Passover is two days away and that he will be handed over to be crucified. The verses just after it describe the leaders’ concern that a festival arrest might cause a riot, and then a woman anoints Jesus at Bethany. Read in this sequence, the plot in verse 4 is the human response to Jesus’ own plain announcement of what lies ahead. It shows that the decision against him was being made even as he was preparing his followers.
Key Phrases in Matthew 26:4
Psalm 2:2
The kings of the earth take a stand, and the rulers take counsel together, against the LORD, and against his Anointed, saying…
(WEB)
This psalm describes rulers gathering together against the Lord and his anointed, which echoes the council gathered against Jesus. Reading it alongside Matthew 26:4 shows that the opposition to God’s chosen one is an old pattern, and that the psalm answers it by affirming God’s sovereignty over every human plan.
Matthew 27:1
Now when morning had come, all the chief priests and the elders of the people took counsel against Jesus to put him to death…
(WEB)
This verse picks up the story after the plot has been formed and shows the leaders bringing their decision into action in the morning. Reading it next shows how the council’s private counsel led to a public and decisive move against Jesus.
A Short Prayer From Matthew 26:4
Lord, you know how easily people gather in secret to plan against those who are doing right. When I see deceit at work or in my own heart, help me refuse to answer it with more deceit. Give me honesty in my words and steadiness in my choices, even when others are working against me. Remind me that you see every hidden plan and that nothing is outside your care. Keep me close to you as I walk in truth. Amen.
