Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Matthew 26:2
After two days is - the feast of the Passover.See the notes at Matthew 12:1-8. The festival of the Passover was designed to preserve among the Jews the memory of their liberation from Egyptian servitude, and of the safety of their first-born in that night when the firstborn of the Egyptians perished, Exodus 12:0. The name “Passover” was given to the feast because the Lord “passed over” the houses of the Israelites without slaying their first-born, while the Egyptians were cut off, Exodus 12:13.... read more
The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 26:4
The final devices of our Lord's foes. It appears that the priest party, under the lead of Caiaphas, had resolved to secure our Lord's death in a council held immediately after the raising of Lazarus ( John 11:47-53 ). But it proved to be a much more difficult matter than they imagined, and weeks passed and found them no nearer to the accomplishment of their purposes. At last they were set upon securing their end by assassination. They tried to devise some way of "taking him by subtlety and... read more