What does Matthew 26:4 mean?

Jesus told His disciples openly that He would be condemned by Israel's religious leaders and handed over to the Romans to be executed (Matthew 16:21–23; Mark 10:33). Matthew shows that this is exactly what the chief priests and elders are plotting to accomplish together. They are gathered at the home of Caiaphas, the high priest. Specifically, they hope to secretly arrest Jesus and kill Him without inciting the crowds to riot over this treatment of a man many believe to be a prophet of God.

Why this risk? Why are they so eager to eliminate Jesus? The religious leaders have two clear motives to get Jesus out of the way. First, their goal is to maintain the peace in Israel and keep the people from rebelling against Rome and bringing the Empire's wrath down on the tiny country (John 11:48). Not only would this avoid additional bloodshed, it also conveniently keeps the religious leaders in their positions of power and relative comfort.

Secondly, though, Jesus has publicly and thoroughly condemned the scribes and the Pharisees as hypocrites. During this week, He has even depicted their lawful choices as attempts to bring glory only to themselves (Matthew 23:1–7). Jesus' teaching is a direct threat to the credibility of the men gathered at the home of the high priest on this day.