“Collegerunt ergo pontifices et pharisæi concilium, et dicebant : Quid facimus, quia hic homo multa signa facit ?”
“Then gathered the chief priests and the Pharisees a council, and said, What do we? for this man doeth many miracles.”
“Then the chief priests and Pharisees convened the Sanhedrin and said, “What are we to do? This man is performing many signs.”
“The chief priests therefore and the Pharisees gathered a council, and said, “What are we doing? For this man does many signs.”
“The chief priests therefore and the Pharisees gathered a council, and said, What do we? for this man doeth many signs.”
The chief priests … said: what do we? &c. as if they had said: why are we so slow, so remiss, and indolent in our proceedings against this man, when we daily see what numbers he draws after him by his miracles? (Witham)
(1.) A special council is called and held (v. 47): Then gathered the chief priests and Pharisees a council, as was foretold, Ps 2 2, The rulers take counsel together against the Lord. Consultations of the sanhedrim were intended for the public good; but here, under colour of this, the greatest injury and mischief are done to the people. The things that belong to the nation's peace were hid from the eyes of those that were entrusted with its counsels. This council was called, not only for joint advice, but for mutual irritation; that as iron sharpens iron, and as coals are to burning coals and wood to fire, so they might exasperate and inflame one another with enmity and rage against Christ and his doctrine.
Verses 47-53 There can hardly be a more clear discovery of the madness that is in man's heart, and of its desperate enmity against God, than what is here recorded. Words of prophecy in the mouth, are not clear evidence of a principle of grace in the heart. The calamity we seek to escape by sin, we take the most effectual course to bring upon our own heads; as those do who think by opposing Christ's kingdom, to advance their own worldly interest. The fear of the wicked shall come upon them. The conversion of souls is the gathering of them to Christ as their ruler and refuge; and he died to effect this. By dying he purchased them to himself, and the gift of the Holy Ghost for them: his love in dying for believers should unite them closely together.