The formal decision of the Sanhedrin 27:1-2 (cf. Mark 15:1; Luke 22:66-71)

Matthew's narrative directs the reader's attention from the courtyard back to the Sanhedrin's council chamber (v. 68).

Evidently the chief priests and elders had to decide how they would present Jesus' case to Pilate to secure the verdict they wanted from him. The title "governor"is a general one. Really Pilate was a prefect (procurator) whom Tiberius Caesar had appointed in 26 A.D.¹⁰³⁸Judea and Samaria had become one Roman province in 6 A.D. that Pilate now governed (in 33 A.D.). Normally he lived in Caesarea, but during the Jewish feasts he often came to Jerusalem because it became a potential trouble spot then. "Pontius"was his family name.