The Trial of Jesus

The period

First Century Israelites were, above all, a law-conscious people who maintained a strict procedure for hear civil and criminal cases

Rules Broken By Israelis Leaders

No trials were to occur during the night hours All trials were to be public; secret trials were forbidden All trials were to be held in the Hall of Judgment in the temple area Capital cases required a minimum of twenty-three judges An accused person could not testify against himself Someone was required to speak on behalf of the accused Conviction required the testimony of two or three witnesses to be in perfect alignment

Rules Broken By Israelis Leaders

Witnesses were to be examined and cross-examined extensively Capital cases were to follow a strict order, beginning with arguments by the defense, then arguments for conviction All Sanhedrin judges could argue for acquittal, but not all could argue for conviction The high priest should not participate in the questioning Each witness in a capital case was to be examined individually, not in the presence of other witnesses

Rules Broken By Israelis Leaders

The testimony of two witnesses found to be in contradiction rendered both invalid Voting for conviction and sentencing in a capital case was to be conducted individually, beginning with the youngest, so younger members would not be influenced by the voting of the elder members Verdicts in capital cases were to be handed down only during daylight hours The members of the Sanhedrin were to meet in pairs all night, discuss the case, and reconvene for the purpose of confirming the final verdict and imposing sentence Sentencing in a capital case was not to occur until the following day

Trial Officiating Authority Accusations

1 Annas, former High Priest No specific Charges

2 Caiaphas High Preist Blasphemy

3 The Sanhedrin Continuation

Trial Officiating Authority Accusations

4Pontius Polite Governor of

JudeaTreason and

Sedition

5Herod Antipas, Governor of

GalileeNo Charges

6 Pontius Pilate Continuation

Trial 1

First Trial

Annas, The Godfather of Israel. The Father of a crime Family

Cleansing the Temple

First TrialThe high priest then questioned Jesus about His disciples, and about His teaching. Jesus answered him, “I have spoken openly to the world; I always taught in synagogues and in the temple, where all the Jews come together; and I spoke nothing in secret. Why do you question Me? Question those who have heard what I spoke to them; they know what I said.” John 18:19–21

Here Jesus Objected to:

The time of the trial, that the trial was during passover, behind close doors, away from the temple.

If Annas was playing high priest he had no business asking him question and that he should not be providing testimony.

First TrialWhen He had said this, one of the officers standing nearby struck Jesus, saying, “Is that the way You answer the high priest?” Jesus answered him, “If I have spoken wrongly, testify of the wrong; but if rightly, why do you strike Me?” John 18:22–23

Jesus again pointed out that no one had testified agains him.

Clearly the object of the trial was not to discover the truth or render a just verdict. Jesus refused to cooperate with this Mockery.

Second Trial

Second TrialHe was directly marched to Caiaphas and the Sanhedrin. 70 members who led Israel as far as Rome Let them.

Could not condemn anyone to death.

Because Jesus represented such a threat to their power and wealth, almost all 70 were in attendance in the middle of the early morning.

The trial was held in secret, at night, in the high priests palace and no advocate for the accused had been provided.

Second TrialThe chief priests and the whole Council kept trying to obtain testimony against Jesus to put Him to death, and they were not finding any. For many were giving false testimony against Him, but their testimony was not consistent. Some stood up and began to give false testimony against Him, saying, “We heard Him say, ‘I will destroy this temple made with hands, and in three days I will build another made without hands.’” Not even in this respect was their testimony consistent. Mark 14:55–59

The high priest stood up and came forward and questioned Jesus, saying, “Do You not answer? What is it that these men are testifying against You?” But He kept silent and did not answer. Again the high priest was questioning Him, and saying to Him, “Are You the Christ, the Son of the Blessed One?” And Jesus said, “I am; and you shall see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of Power, and coming with the clouds of heaven.” Tearing his clothes, the high priest said, “What further need do we have of witnesses? You have heard the blasphemy; how does it seem to you?” And they all condemned Him to be deserving of death. Mark 14:60–64

Second Trial

If they were to convict Him of a crime, it would be the crime of being their Savior. The Son of God and true King of Israel.

According to the rules they were to disband and quietly contemplate the Case. They did Disband but instead spent their early morning spitting on and beating Jesus.

Then they spat in His face and beat Him with their fists; and others slapped Him, and said, “Prophesy to us, You Christ; who is the one who hit You?” Matthew 26:67–68

Third Trial

Third Trial3 Years before this Trial Caiaphas Said this:

The chief priests and the Pharisees convened a council, and were saying, “What are we doing? For this man is performing many signs. “If we let Him go on like this, all men will believe in Him, and the Romans will come and take away both our place and our nation.” But one of them, Caiaphas, who was high priest that year, said to them, “You know nothing at all, nor do you take into account that it is expedient for you that one man die for the people, and that the whole nation not perish.” John 11:47–50

Third Trial

Now the specific charge was determined and the verdict already decided, the high priest summons the council.

Finally in the light of day, in the proper venue and before the public, the third trial begins.

But still it was during the Feast of Unleavened Bread and They compelled the accused to testify.

Third TrialWhen day came, the council of the elders of the people gathered together, both the chief priests and the experts in the law. Then they led Jesus away to their council and said, “If you are the Christ, tell us.” But he said to them, “If I tell you, you will not believe, and if I ask you, you will not answer. But from now on the Son of Man will be seated at the right hand of the power of God.” So they all said, “Are you the Son of God, then?” He answered them, “You say that I am.” Luke 22:66–70

Here we see Jesus Agreeing that he was the Son of God and the King of Israel but refused to accept the charge of insurrection.

Third TrialBy the End of the Third Trial the Sanhedrin had the charge that would.

Convince the Roman governor to execute him.

Mollify the agitated Hebrew masses

By claiming to be the Messiah he would be a danger to the peace of Rome.

If Jesus were executed then Zealots would claim him a false Messiah.

And the Sanhedrin would be free to continue their lives of self importance, Oppression, Power and Wealth.

Pontius Pilate

In trouble

Tiberius the Emperor

Sejanus the de-facto Emperor

Drusus The Son of the Emperor

The conflicts with the Israel’s Leaders.

Fourth Trial

Fourth TrialThe Sanhedrin Brought Jesus to Pilate and couched their accusations to show that Jesus was a threat to what the Romans Cared most. Money and Peace.

And they began to accuse Him, saying, “We found this man misleading our nation and forbidding to pay taxes to Caesar, and saying that He Himself is Christ, a King.” Luke 23:2

Fourth TrialTherefore Pilate entered again into the Praetorium, and summoned Jesus and said to Him, “Are You the King of the Jews?” Jesus answered, “Are you saying this on your own initiative, or did others tell you about Me?” Pilate answered, “I am not a Jew, am I? Your own nation and the chief priests delivered You to me; what have You done?” Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, then My servants would be fighting so that I would not be handed over to the Jews; but as it is, My kingdom is not of this realm.” Therefore Pilate said to Him, “So You are a king?” Jesus answered, “You say correctly that I am a king. For this I have been born, and for this I have come into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice.” Pilate said to Him, “What is truth?” John 18:33–38

Fourth Trial

And when [Pilate] had said this, he went out again to the Jews and said to them, “I find no guilt in Him.” John 18:38

But they kept on insisting, saying, “He stirs up the people, teaching all over Judea, starting from Galilee even as far as this place.” Luke 23:5

With the Mention of Galilee he could pawn it off on Herod. He was probably also aware that Herod had wanted to see this person. So this could also help him gain an important ally.

Fifth Trial

Fifth Trial

[Herod] questioned Him at some length; but [Jesus] answered him nothing. And the chief priests and the scribes were standing there, accusing Him vehemently. Luke 23:9–10

Sixth Trial

Sixth TrialDuring Passover, Rome would let a person in jail go. He knew that Barabas was bad news and no one would him to be roaming the streets again.

So Pilate offered them a choice Barabas or Jesus, They chose Barabas.

This meant that now Pilate would let go a muderous trouble maker and still have the problem of this innocent person.

Sixth TrialHoping to spare Jesus the Cross he ordered Jesus to be beaten or whipped close to death.

“Crucify, crucify!” The exasperated Pilate waved his hand, shrugged, and said, “Take Him yourselves and crucify Him, for I find no guilt in Him” (John 19:6).

“We have a law, and by that law He ought to die because He made Himself out to be the Son of God” (John 19:7).

Sixth Trial

Hoping to spare Jesus the Cross he ordered Jesus to be beaten or whipped close to death.

“Crucify, crucify!” The exasperated Pilate waved his hand, shrugged, and said, “Take Him yourselves and crucify Him, for I find no guilt in Him” (John 19:6).

“We have a law, and by that law He ought to die because He made Himself out to be the Son of God. When Pilate heard this statement, he was even more afraid.” (John 19:7-8).

Sixth Trial

Earlier, Pilate’s wife had sent him a note: “Have nothing to do with that righteous Man; for last night I suffered greatly in a dream because of Him” (Matthew 27:19).

“Where are You from?” But Jesus gave him no answer. So Pilate said to Him, “You do not speak to me? Do You not know that I have authority to release You, and I have authority to crucify You?” Jesus answered, “You would have no authority over Me, unless it had been given you from above; for this reason he who delivered Me to you has the greater sin.” John 19:9–11

Sixth Trial

Pilate sought to release him, but the Jews cried out, “If you release this man, you are not Caesar's friend. Everyone who makes himself a king opposes Caesar.” (John 19:12)

Sixth Trial

He said to the Jews, “Behold your King!” They cried out, “Away with him, away with him, crucify him!” Pilate said to them, “Shall I crucify your King?” The chief priests answered, “We have no king but Caesar.” So he delivered him over to them to be crucified. (John 19:14-16)

Reactions

Reactions

Pilate. He was completely convinced by the truth, yet terrified to admit it or act upon it for fear of losing favor with certain people.

Herod. He was so distracted by superficial pursuits that truth had long ago become irrelevant.

Pilate’s wife. She was so easily persuaded and carelessly undiscerning that truth and fiction commingled with ease.

The religious leaders. They were willfully unconcerned with truth because it frustrated their personal agendas.

Reaction

Jesus in all his interactions stood up for one Truth. That he was the Son of God, He was the Truth, He was the King of Israel, He was God Incarnate.

Reaction

Some people today are like Pontius Pilate.

They recognize the truth about Jesus Christ and even acknowledge it

They refuse to yield themselves to that truth because it threatens to disrupt the plans they have for their own lives.

ReactionSome people are like Herod.

They distract themselves from the most important issues in life with projects or parties or thrill-seeking.

Belief in Jesus Christ is for fanatics and other people who take themselves too seriously.

It’s all a big joke.

The truth about Christ is lost in the pursuit of the next good time.

ReactionThen people like Pilate’s wife accept that Jesus’ claims are authentic . . . along with every other passing philosophy or religious belief.

They make the Bible, the cross, the church, even His name into treasured tokens of a sentimental faith or lucky charms to ward off guilt and other negative experiences.

Theirs is a superficial, sentimental belief that fails to change them or transform their character.

Reaction

Worst of all, many people reject Jesus Christ because He is not the messiah they have prescribed for themselves.

They have a clear picture of the god they would like to worship—and even presume to worship—but have no desire for the God who actually exists and has revealed Himself.

Reaction

“I have come into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice” (John 18:37).

The question today turns to you: What have you done with the truth about the Son of God?