4 and they consulted together that they might take Jesus by guile, and kill 'him',

Matthew Henry's Commentary on Matthew 26:4

Commentary on Matthew 26:1-5

(Read Matthew 26:1-5)

Our Lord had often told of his sufferings as at a distance, now he speaks of them as at hand. At the same time the Jewish council consulted how they might put him to death secretly. But it pleased God to defeat their intention. Jesus, the true paschal Lamb, was to be sacrificed for us at that very time, and his death and resurrection rendered public.