Early in the morning: Roman trials usually began at the start of the day. It is uncertain if this was a second meeting of the whole Sanhedrin or if it refers back to the council's decision in 14:63–64 and resumes here.
Since the Sanhedrin could not impose capital punishment (John 18:31), they took Jesus to Pilate, the Roman governor of Judea from AD 26–36. Pilate usually lived on the coast at Caesarea. But he stayed in Jerusalem during Passover. This was when Israel's celebration of the exodus event increased hopes for freedom from Roman rule.