Christ had said nothing that could give His accusers an advantage; yet He was bound, to signify that He was condemned. There must, however, be a pretense of justice. It was necessary that there should be the form of a legal trial. This the authorities were determined to hasten. They knew the regard in which Jesus was held by the people, and feared that if the arrest were noised abroad, a rescue would be attempted. Again, if the trial and execution were not brought about at once, there would be a week's delay on account of the celebration of the Passover. This might defeat their plans. In securing the condemnation of Jesus they depended largely upon the clamor of the mob, many of them the rabble of Jerusalem. Should there be a week's delay, the excitement would abate, and a reaction would be likely to set in. The better part of the people would be aroused in Christ's favor; many would come forward with testimony in His vindication, bringing to light the mighty works He had done. This would excite popular indignation against the Sanhedrin. Their proceedings would be condemned, and Jesus would be set free, to receive new homage from the multitudes. The priests and rulers therefore determined that before their purpose could become known, Jesus should be delivered into the hands of the Romans.

Kristus havde intet sagt, der kunne være fordelagtigt for hans anklagere. Alligevel var han bunden som tegn på, at han var dømt. Der måtte imidlertid være en tilsyneladende form for retfærdighed. Det var nødvendigt, at der blev foretaget en slags lovligt forhør. Det gjaldt for øvrigheden om at fremskynde dette. De vidste, hvor højt folket ærede Jesus, og de var bange for, at hvis fængslingen rygtedes viden om, ville der blive gjort et forsøg på at redde ham. Og hvis forhøret og henrettelsen ikke kom til at ske med det samme, ville der blive en uges forsinkelse på grund af påsken. Dette kunne få deres planer til at strande. Til at sikre Jesu domfældelse stolede de i høj grad på den larmende mængdes medvirken, hvoraf mange hørte til Jerusalems laveste pøbel. Hvis der skulle komme en uges forsinkelse, ville ophidselsen lægge sig, og sandsynligvis ville der komme et omslag i stemningen. Den bedre del af folket ville blive vakt til gunst for Kristus; mange ville komme frem med vidnesbyrd til forsvar for ham og gøre opmærksom på alle de undergerninger, han havde gjort. Dette ville vække folkets harme mod Sanhedrin. Man ville fordømme deres fremgangsmåde, og Jesus ville blive befriet for atter at komme til at modtage folkets hyldest. Derfor besluttede præsterne og rådsherrerne, at før deres planer kom til nogens kundskab, skulle Jesus være overgivet i romernes hænder.