{They lead} (agousin). Dramatic historical present of
ag(935c), plural "they" for the Sanhedrists ( Lu 23:1 ). John gives
no details of the trial before the Sanhedrin (only the fact,  Joh
18:24,28 ) when Caiaphas presided, either the informal meeting at
night ( Mr 14:53,55-65  Mt 26:57,59-68  Lu 22:54,63-65 ) or the
formal ratification meeting after dawn ( Mr 15:1  Mt 27:1  Lu
22:66-71 ), but he gives much new material of the trial before
Pilate ( 18:28-38 ). {Into the palace} (eis to prait(9372)ion). For
the history and meaning of this interesting Latin word,
_praetorium_, see on 烘t 27:27; Ac 23:35; Php 1:13|. Here it is
probably the magnificent palace in Jerusalem built by Herod the
Great for himself and occupied by the Roman Procurator (governor)
when in the city. There was also one in Caesarea ( Ac 23:35 ).
Herod's palace in Jerusalem was on the Hill of Zion in the
western part of the upper city. There is something to be said for
the Castle of Antonia, north of the temple area, as the location
of Pilate's residence in Jerusalem. {Early} (pr(9369)). Technically
the fourth watch (3 A.M. to 6 A.M.). There were two violations of
Jewish legal procedure (holding the trial for a capital case at
night, passing condemnation on the same day of the trial).
Besides, the Sanhedrin no longer had the power of death. A Roman
court could meet any time after sunrise. John ( 19:14 ) says it
was "about the sixth hour" when Pilate condemned Jesus. {That
they might not be defiled} (hina m(8820)mianth(9373)in). Purpose clause
with hina m(885c) and first aorist passive subjunctive of miain(935c),
to stain, to defile. For Jewish scruples about entering the house
of a Gentile see  Ac 10:28  11:3 . {But might eat the passover}
(alla phag(9373)in to pascha). Second aorist active subjunctive of
the defective verb esthi(935c), to eat. This phrase may mean to eat
the passover meal as in  Mt 27:17  ( Mr 14:12,14  Lu 22:11,15 ),
but it does not have to mean that. In  2Ch 30:22  we read: "And
they did eat the festival seven days" when the paschal festival
is meant, not the paschal lamb or the paschal supper. There are
eight other examples of pascha in John's Gospel and in all of
them the feast is meant, not the supper. If we follow John's use
of the word, it is the feast here, not the meal of  Joh 13:2 
which was the regular passover meal. This interpretation keeps
John in harmony with the Synoptics.