What could be so important that the Jewish leaders would leave this holy Passover night with their families to rush to the High Priest’s palace? Rest assured; it was not a regular, formal meeting of the Sanhedrin.
Jewish Tribunals
According to Edersheim, the Jews had three tribunals or judging panels. In towns numbering less than 120, only the lowest tribunal of three judges was available. And their authority did not include capital crimes. The next highest tribunal was a panel of 23 judges appointed by the Great Sanhedrin. While still limited in authority, they could judge capital crimes. The highest tribunal was the Great Sanhedrin consisting of 71 men. All judges were set apart by an ordination process, originally with the laying on of hands. Ordination was conferred by three, of which one must himself be ordained and able to trace his ordinatnous ion through Joshua or Moses.
Note that Jesus’ trial went immediately to the Great Sanhedrin of 71 plus the High Priest, Caiaphas.
Some of the gospel writers tell us that the soldiers delivered Jesus to the palace of Annas, Caiaphas’ father-in-law. Rather strange on the surface since he was not the reigning high priest. Some suggest the Jews were anxious to get rid of the Roman soldiers and Annas’ palace was closer. Nonetheless, Annas’ place in Jewry is well known. He had been the high priest previously as well as many of his sons and son-in-law. He enjoyed all the dignity of the office, and some suggest he was directing the efforts behind the scenes. Annas and his family derived significant income from the Temple booths and must have been incensed at Jesus’ actions of overturning the temple tables and booths. He must have been resolutely bent on Jesus’ death even though the gospel writers are silent about what happened at the Palace of Annas.
The trial begins: (Matthew 26:57-67; Mark 14:53-65; John 18;12-14,19-24)
- The trial begins at the Palace of Caiaphas. What does Matthew state as the purpose of this late night meeting in verse fifty-nine? What is the key word in this verse? Finally, could they find any evidence according to verse sixty?
- Matthew tells us that two testified about Jesus’ statement about destroying the temple and rebuilding it in three days to which Jesus did not reply. What question did Caiaphas ask Jesus in verse sixty-three? Why do you suppose Jesus answered this question and not the previous one?
- Judgment was quick to follow Jesus’ admission as the Son of God. What malice did the Jews show Jesus?
- They __________________in His face.
- They __________________Him with their fists
- John’s account is different in that it separates the questioning before Caiaphas and the Sanhedrin with Peter’s multiple denials. Let’s examine some of the details in John’s account
- John knew Caiaphas and thus had access to the high priest’ courtyard (verse 15). Peter did have access and had to wait outside.
- Following Peter’s first denial, we see a dialog between Caiaphas and Jesus while still in the Palace of Annas.
- Caiaphas was attempting to get information about:
- ________________________
- ________________________
Jesus now appears to Pilate (Matthew 27:11-26; Mark 15;12ff; Luke 23:3ff; and John 18:33ff)
The the morning (Friday), Jesus was delivered to Pilate, the Roman governor, and to Herod for sentencing. If the Great Sanhedrin had capital crimes authority, why go to Pilate? Note the Jews do not go into the Roman palace since it was ceremonially unclean and would prohibit their continued celebration of the Passover.
Examining the various gospel writers:
- What was Pilate’s question of Jesus? And how did Jesus reply?
- Note that after Jesus replied to Pilate’s question, He remained silent during the reading of the multiple chargers. Why do you think Jesus answered Pilate’s question but not to the Jewish charges?
- Luke tells us what some of the charges that were made against Jesus (23:2)
- ______________________
- ______________________
- ______________________
- Luke also tells us that Pilate was eager to get rid of Jesus and fond a way out. What was It? (23:5-6)
- ___________________
- Herod Antipas was the tetrach of Galilee. He was the son of Herod the Great. Besides an audience with Jesus on Good Friday, what other event is accredited to Antipas?
- John is more detailed in the conversation between Pilate and Jesus. Go to John 18:33-38. Jesus said, “I came into the world to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me.” Pilate replied with a question, “what is truth?” Was the question stated properly or should it have been, “who is truth?” Go to Revelation 1:5. What does John call Jesus in his opening to the Seven Churches?
Even though Pilate’s wife sent a message indicating that she had terrible dreams about this man, Pilate succumbed and handed Jesus over to be crucified.
The Cross
Historical Development Originally a cross was a wooden pointed stake used to build a wall or to erect fortifications around a town. Beginning with the Assyrians and Persians, it began to be used to display the heads of captured foes or of particularly heinous criminals on the palisades above the gateway into a city. Later crucifixion developed into a form of capital punishment, as enemies of the state were impaled on the stake itself. The Greeks and Romans at first reserved the punishment only for slaves, saying it was too barbaric for freeborn or citizens. By the first century, however, it was used for any enemy of the state, though citizens could only be crucified by direct edict of Caesar. As time went on, the Romans began to use crucifixion more and more as a deterrent to criminal activity, so that by Jesus’ time it was a common sight.
A person crucified in Jesus’ day was first of all scourged (beaten with a whip consisting of thongs with pieces of metal or bone attached to the end) or at least flogged until the blood flowed. This was not just done out of cruelty but was designed to hasten death and lessen the terrible ordeal. After the beating, the victim was forced to bear the crossbeam to the execution site in order to signify that life was already over and to break the will to live. A tablet detailing the crime(s) was often placed around the criminal’s neck and then fastened to the cross. At the site the prisoner was often tied (the normal method) or nailed (if a quicker death was desired) to the crossbeam. The nail would be driven through the wrist rather than the palm, since the smaller bones of the hand could not support the weight of the body. The beam with the body was then lifted and tied to the already affixed upright pole. Pins or a small wooden block were placed halfway up to provide a seat for the body lest the nails tear open the wounds or the ropes force the arms from their sockets. Finally the feet were tied or nailed to the post. Death was caused by the loss of blood circulation and coronary failure. Especially if the victims were tied, it could take days of hideous pain as the extremities turned slowly gangrenous; so often the soldiers would break the victims legs with a club, causing massive shock and a quick death. Such deaths were usually done in public places, and the body was left to rot for days, with carrion birds allowed to degrade the corpse further.
Four types of crosses were used: 1) The Latin cross has the crossbeam about two-thirds of the way up the upright pole; 2) St. Anthony’s cross (probably due to its similarity to his famous crutch) had the beam at the top of the upright pole like a T. 3) St. Andrew’s cross (supposedly the form used to crucify Andrew) had the shape of the letter X; 4) the Greek cross has both beams equal in the shape of a plus sign.
(Source: Holman’s Bible Dictionary)
Tracing our Steps. Let’s use this time to trace our walk with Jesus. Think about this time in His life and remembering what He did for you and me. Use this space to jot down your feelings about your walk today