| 3-1/2 years | 8 days | | 55 chapters | 30 chapters | +------------------------------------------------+-------------+ #142.# _Bear in mind_ that the ecclesiastics had by this time determined on his death. But they did not want that to take place on the feast day, lest there should be an uproar among the people, who believed on him. That is, they were afraid of a rescue (Matt. 26:5). Yet it did come on the feast day. The reasons for this are as follows: (1) His triumphal entry. The jubilation among the people angered them. They perceived that the people welcomed him, and that they prevailed against him not at all. Of course this was stinging to their pride, and they feared the outcome of this popular enthusiasm. (2) They were further angered by their failure to discomfit him in argument in the very presence of the multitude. Their effort to entangle him in his talk, as shown in Matthew 22:15-46, was a total failure, and they knew that the people rejoiced at their discomfiture. This was most galling to their pride as religious leaders of the nation. Add to this the terrific denunciation that Jesus poured forth on them, as told in Matthew 23:1-39, and bear in mind that this was in the presence of all the people, and you have an explanation of the resentment on their part. (3) Just about at this juncture Judas came with his offer, which to them must have seemed most timely. He knew where he could find the Master when the people would be absent, and they relied on their influence with Pilate to carry their scheme through swiftly, so that there would be no chance of any rescue. So, with this combination of circumstances, they determined to go ahead in spite of the fact of the approaching Passover.