At daybreak: It was Friday morning (see study note on 22:34).
the council of the elders … met together: The Jewish high council (the Sanhedrin) was originally made up of the Jerusalem nobility, both civil leaders and priests, with the high priest as its leader. In the time of Jesus, the Sadducees still led the Sanhedrin (Acts 5:17). But leading Pharisees also held important positions on the council (Acts 23:7).