{The chief priests mocking} (hoi archiereis empaizontes).
The Sanhedrin in fact, for "the scribes and elders" are included.
The word for mocking (empaizontes, en, and paiz(935c), from
pais, child) means acting like silly children who love to guy
one another. These grave and reverend seniors had already given
vent to their glee at the condemnation of Jesus by themselves
( Mt 26:67f. ).