What does Matthew 26:57 mean?
Led by Judas (Matthew 26:25), the betrayer (Matthew 26:48), a group of Roman soldiers and Jewish temple guards have seized Jesus and bound Him (John 18:12). They now bring Jesus to the home of the high priest Caiaphas. At the same time, the members of the Jewish ruling body, the Sanhedrin, are being gathered in another part of Caiaphas' mansion to meet about Jesus.Matthew does not record Jesus' first interview with Annas, the former high priest before Caiaphas. Annas was Caiaphas's father-in-law. He had been removed from his position by secular authorities, and many of the Jewish people still considered him the "true" high priest. Jesus was taken to both men, likely to get a guilty verdict from everyone with any authority before the people could object to Jesus' arrest and trials.
John records Jesus' brief first interview with Annas before He was sent to Caiaphas. Annas questions Jesus about His teaching. Jesus responds that He has taught openly and in public for all to hear, suggesting that Annas ask others what they heard Him say. One of the officers strikes Jesus for this supposed disrespect. Jesus challenges the man, and Annas sends Jesus to appear before Roman-appointed Caiaphas (John 18:19–24).