The scribes move in for the kill. If they can get Jesus before the Sanhedrin, they will find something to convict him -- like Stalin, "show me the man, and I'll show you the crime."  They will make it up as they go along.  They are the brains behind the scene of High Priests, Sadducees, Elders, and Pharisees.   And their plan worked, despite some doubtful moments before Pilate and Herod.  They saved the nation of Israel. Unwittingly, their plan resulted in the salvation of the world.