I want to see if I can make some sense out of the timing of Jesus’ arrest. The chief priests and elders conclude about Jesus’ arrest and execution, “5 ‘But not during the festival,’ they said, ‘or there may be a riot among the people.'” If the festival they are talking about is Passover, it appears that they backed off of this conclusion when Jesus was arrested on Passover night. Jewish holidays traditionally begin at sunset and conclude at sunset the next day.
I am wondering if the Jewish leaders took advantage of Judas’ volunteering. Even though they were relunctant, with Judas’ help, they were able to find Jesus is a secluded place (Garden of Gethsemane), and they went ahead during the festival with their plans. By the time the masses knew Jesus was arrested, they had already celebrated the Passover feast.
One interesting note that I had never really thought of was Jesus was actually crucified on Passover day.