This piece marks the transition to the political conspiracy. Here we hear the cold, calculating side of the rulers. While Jesus was sung of for his innocence in the previous piece, here we see how worldly power turns against him.
This ultra-short choral piece shows the fear of the established order. The priests and elders are terrified of Jesus' popularity. They plot their murder in the shadows, away from the crowd. The hurried musical style betrays their nervousness.
The Conspiracy
Da versammelten sich die Hohenpriester
Recitative
•Evangelist, Chorus
|
No. 4a-bpart_04
Evangelist
Then assembled together the chief priests, and the scribes, and the elders of the people, unto the palace of the high priest, who was called Caiaphas, And consulted that they might take Jesus by subtlety, and kill him. But they said:
Chorus
Not on the feast day, lest there be an uproar among the people.
German
English
Evangelist
Da versammelten sich die Hohenpriester und Schriftgelehrten und die Ältesten im Volk in dem Palast des Hohenpriesters, der da hieß Kaiphas, und hielten Rat, wie sie Jesum mit List griffen und töteten. Sie sprachen aber:
Evangelist
Then assembled together the chief priests, and the scribes, and the elders of the people, unto the palace of the high priest, who was called Caiaphas, And consulted that they might take Jesus by subtlety, and kill him. But they said:
Chorus
Ja nicht auf das Fest, auf dass nicht ein Aufruhr werde im Volk.
Chorus
Not on the feast day, lest there be an uproar among the people.
Modern adaptation
The religious leaders and rulers met secretly in the palace. Their goal was simple: to devise a cunning plan to eliminate Jesus.
We must not do it during the festival, otherwise we will face a major riot.