The chief priests, teachers or scribes, and elders constituted the three components of the Sanhedrin. This was a very official inquiry prompted by Jesus" presence and made necessary by His cleansing of the temple. Israel"s official leaders wanted to know about Jesus" credentials and who gave Him the right to say and do what He did. They questioned the nature and source of His authority. Their questions were legitimate since they were responsible for supervising Israel"s religious life. Yet their question was a challenge to Jesus" honor. [1][source]
"The essence of the depiction of the opponents [2] lies in that they are self-serving; that Isaiah , they are preoccupied with preserving their power, their importance, their wealth, and their lives." [3][source]