Matthew 26:57

Josephus wrote that the building in which the Sanhedrin normally met, the "chamber of hewn stone," stood close to the western wall of the temple enclosure. [Note: Josephus, Antiquities of . . ., 5:4:2.] Part of this western wall is the modern Wailing Wall where Jews go daily to pray. The exact location of this chamber is presently unknown. However this meeting of the Sanhedrin took place in Caiaphas’ house or palace, the location of which is also debated (Luke 22:54). [Note: See the diagram of Jerusalem in New Testament Times at the end of these notes.] While Annas examined Jesus, the Sanhedrin members assembled.

As mentioned earlier, Caiaphas was the official high priest then. He would have presided over the Sanhedrin. He was probably a Sadducee. The Sadducees held the power in Israel then. The scribes were the official teachers of the law, and the elders were the lay representatives of the people. The chief priests, mainly Sadducees, were also present (Matthew 26:59). These were the three groups that composed Israel’s chief ruling body.