Three Before the Jewish Religious Leaders

A SHORT STUDY

Three before the Jewish religious leaders Three before the Roman authorities 1 Timothy 6:13 (NASB) I charge you in the presence of God, who gives life to all things, and of Christ Jesus, who testified the good confession before Pontius Pilate, THE ARREST OF JESUS

Matthew 26:47-56; Mark 14:43-52; Luke 22:47-53; John 18:2-12 (p.87) v.3: Roman cohort: probably those stationed in Jerusalem at the fortress of Antonia which was near the Temple. A Roman military cohort was 600 men, but it could a one-third part of a full cohort or about 200 men. This seems to be more likely.

A model of the Antonia Fortress currently in the Israel Museum. Temple mount v.3: officers from the chief priests: part of the Temple Guard v.3: chief priests and Pharisees: religious leaders all. From the Jewish Sanhedrin (or religious ruling body), these had conspired together with the traitor Judas Iscariot to arrest and kill Jesus Christ (Matthew 26:3-4).

According to Matthew 26:47 it was “a large crowd” or “a great multitude.”

Religion always opposes truth! Religion is man’s efforts to earn the approval of God by works or ritual. True eternal life is granted as a gift by faith alone in Christ alone.

In order for the Roman troops to be present they would have to have been sent by Pontius Pilate. This was probably at the request of Annas.

They came to where Jesus and the eleven were: the Garden of Gethsemane.

Left: the Garden of Gethsemane today. The name Gethsemane means “oil press.” It is on the Mount of Olives.

v.4-5: Jesus responded to their answer to Him with the great covenant name of Jehovah God “I Am.” Jesus is the Jehovah of the Old Testament. He here states His deity. Twice in this short encounter He claims to be God: vv.5 and 8.

2 Their drawing back and falling to the ground most likely is because for a brief second He revealed His true glory and majesty in His power as God. “It was striking evidence that neither the treachery of Judas, nor the wicked hatred of the Jews, nor the power of Rome could touch our Lord. But the hour had now arrived when he was ready to give Himself up.” (Gaebelein’s Concise Commentary, p.856) Matthew 26:53 (NASB) "Or do you think that I cannot appeal to My Father, and He will at once put at My disposal more than twelve legions of angels?

A Roman legion was 6,000 soldiers – can you image some 72,000 angels showing up? Jesus had all the power of His Godhood as well as all of the created angels – and the ability to control nature – yet, He wiling submitted for the purposes of the plan of God to redeem mankind from the slave market of sin.

Judas betrayed Jesus with a kiss: Matthew 26:48-49 (NASB) 48 Now he who was betraying Him gave them a sign, saying, "Whomever I kiss, He is the one; seize Him." 49 Immediately Judas went to Jesus and said, "Hail, Rabbi!" and kissed Him. v.12: He lets Himself be arrested and bound.

The time was after midnight. According to Walter M. Chandler in The Trial of Jesus, three things were illegal about this arrest:

1. The arrest was at night which, since this was to be a trail for a capitol crime, was illegal according to Hebrew law. 2. Since Judas was of the Twelve he would have been considered an accomplice to the “criminal” Jesus and his testimony was not allowed. 3. He was arrested without any intent to have a fair trial but only as a means to the end of having Him killed. THE FIRST TRIAL OF JESUS

JOHN 18:13-14, 19-24: the first religious trial before the Jews, the trial before Annas, the former high priest (6-15 A.D.), who had been removed from his position as high priest by the Romans. Yet he still had enormous influence not only with the Romans but also was still was considered a high priest in influence, if not in fact, by the Jews. In reality he was a shrewd political boss and business man involved in a lot of dirty dealing – especially in holding the monopoly at the Temple on the selling of sacrificial animals, money exchange, etc. and in charging exorbitant prices. This place was referred to as the “Bazaars of Annas” (someone has called it the “Marketplace of the Annas Family” because his sons were involved also). It was this activity Jesus opposed when He cleansed the Temple area by overthrowing the tables and beating the operators with a whip. He did this twice: once at the beginning of His ministry (John 2:13-17) and again near the end (Matthew 21:12-13). Jesus had put a serious dent in the profits of Annas! No wonder this character hated Jesus and wanted to see Him go.

The trial before Annas was also illegal because: 1. It was not allowed to have such a trail in a private home 2. It was held at night

3 3. Annas did this alone rather than with other judges – and Annas was not even an official judge! 4. a preliminary “hearing” was not allowed under Hebrew law

(The Trial of Jesus) v.24: When Annas sent Him on bound to his son-in-law “Caiaphas the high priest” it showed that he “approved this case and said, in effect, ‘Take Him in and railroad Him through the court!’” (R. B. Theime, Jr. booklet, “King of Kings and Lord of Lords” p.5) THE SECOND TRIAL OF JESUS

Matthew 26:57, 59-68 (P.24); Mark 14:53, 55-65; Luke 22:54a, 63-65; John 18:24

The trial before Caiaphas and part of the Sanhedrin.

Josephus, the ancient Jewish historian from shortly after the time of Christ, mentions that his full name was Joseph Caiaphas. He was every bit as corrupt as his father-in-law, Annas.

Matthew 26:3-4 (NASB) 3 Then the chief priests and the elders of the people were gathered together in the court of the high priest, named Caiaphas; 4 and they plotted together to seize Jesus by stealth and kill Him.

This was no trial – it was a pretense to find some way to dispose of the One they had come to despise. The gathering of the “the chief priests and elders” was a gathering of the Sanhedrin – this is the “whole council” of verse 59. This was supposed to be the “legal” Jewish religious trial but, as we will see, it was anything but legal. vv.59-60: they tried to find anybody that could agree on something they could charge Him with and thus to fulfill their pre-planned murder. But they could not find any two that could agree – a requirement under the Law (Deuteronomy 19:15; see Mark 14:56).

VV.60-61: Two finally agreed on the statement of Christ which indeed He had said (see John 2:19). John explains in 2:19 that Jesus was speaking of His body and He would have told them so if they had desired the truth. And that is the one thing they did not want!

Yet even here there were problems in the testimony:

Mark 14:59 (NASB) Not even in this respect was their testimony consistent.

J. Dwight Pentecost writes: “In desperation the high priest sought to obtain a confession from Christ Himself and asked Him, ‘Are you going to answer? What is this testimony that these men are bringing against you?’ (Mark 14:60). Since these accusations were not supported by witnesses, they were illegal; therefore, Christ remained silent and refused to incriminate Himself” (The Words and Works of Jesus Christ, p.462).

This silence fulfilled prophecy:

4 Isaiah 53:7 (NASB) He was oppressed and He was afflicted, Yet He did not open His mouth; Like a lamb that is led to slaughter, And like a sheep that is silent before its shearers, So He did not open His mouth.

Matthew 26:63-64: Caiaphas, getting ever more frustrated in his feeble attempt to make this murder “legal,” places Jesus under oath and asks Him a question about something he already knew had been said about Jesus and which He never denied: that He was the Son of God and thus by that claim make Himself to be equal with God (which is to say, He was God in the flesh). (See Matthew 14:33, Mark 3:11; Luke 1:35; John 1:34, 49 and others. See Acts 9:20).

Jesus simply told the truth. In verse 64 it is translated in the NASB as “You have said it yourself.” In the original Greek it is stronger: “Emphatically, yes!” (Theime, p.10). Jesus applied Psalm 110:1 and Daniel 7:13 to Himself. The “right hand of God” was an assertion of His deity. He then told them the time when they would have no doubt as to the truthfulness of His statement. He knew that no matter what He said now they would not believe, but one day they will:

Philippians 2:9-11 (NASB) 9 For this reason also, God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

However, under Hebrew law there could be no self-condemnation so, in reality, there was no testimony against Christ that could stand up in court. v.65: this tearing of the clothes by the high priest was in violation of the Law (Leviticus 21:10)

The official legal charge that they came up with was blasphemy and in v.66 the judgment by the Sanhedrin was given: “He is deserving of death.”

The ossuary of Joseph Caiaphas found in 1990 in a cave outside Jerusalem. After the decay of the flesh bones were collected and stored in these stone boxes as a means of saving space but also it is an indication of their belief in the resurrection of the dead. By the inscription on this ossuary, the bones in this box are those of the high priest Caiaphas.

v.67-68: violence in the courtroom. The words “beat Him with their fists” indicates a repeated and aggressive

5 pounding. Mark 14:65 indicates they gave beating with their fists along with insults, spitting, and slapping. The result fulfilled prophecy in Isaiah 53:3 and 52:14.

Isaiah 52:14 (NASB) Just as many were astonished at you, My people, So His appearance was marred more than any man And His form more than the sons of men. These prophecies are often believed to be fulfilled by the beating given by the Romans, but the Isaiah references are more specifically referring to His facial appearance. In the main, this was the result of this beating given by the Sanhedrin and religious leaders.

This trail was illegal for several reasons. Here are a few:

1. It was held at night 2. the judgment was given in a place forbidden by the law (the house of Caiaphas, not the Temple) 3. the judgment was predetermined – this was no fair trial (see Deuteronomy 13:14) 4. there was no defense 5. they did not release the prisoner when the witnesses failed to agree 6. the high priest tore his clothing 7. there was violence in the courtroom by the so-called judges

(The Trial of Jesus; The Words and Works of Jesus; “King of Kings and Lord of Lords”)

THE THIRD TRIAL OF JESUS

Matthew 27:1; Mark 15:1; Luke 22:66-71

Luke 22:66-71 – before the Sanhedrin just before daybreak, about 6:00

This gathering was in the Temple area in an attempt to make everything look legal. There was no attempt to conduct a true trial, it was all for show.

This also was illegal:

1. It was now a feast period (the Feast of Unleavened Bread and on the eve of the Passover), one of the days prescribed by Mosaic Law. No court proceeding could be held on these days nor could any judgments be rendered. 2. There was no attempt at a real trial to discover guilt or innocence 3. It was all done in one day – the Hebrew law required two when there was a conviction that required the death penalty.

(information as above)

“The judges did not try the case and then retire to their homes for sleep, prayer, and meditation until the following day, as the law required” (Chandler, p.145).

This was the shortest of all the trials

6 THE FOURTH TRIAL OF JESUS

Matthew 27:2, 11-14; mark 15:1-5; Luke 23:1-5; John 18:28-38 (p.88) Left: Inscription stone by Pontius Pilate dedicating a temple to Tiberius Caesar found in 1961.

The Praetorium: “The term referred originally to the "tent of the commander, or praetor", and thus denoted military headquarters. By extension it came to refer to the officers and counselors who assembled in the praetor's tent, and, subsequently, the official residence of a provincial governor or procurator/prefect (John 18:28, 33).” “In the NT the word refers to: (a) the judgment hall in Jerusalem where Pontius Pilate sentenced Jesus to death (Matt 27:27; Mark 15:16; John 18:28, 33; 19:9). The precise location of Pilate's Jerusalem headquarters, whether in the Antonia fortress or in Herod's old palace in the Upper City, has been debated by scholars, but the latter appears to be the correct location.” (www.answers.com)

Commentary: Extensive excavations in the garden of the Armenian Patriarchate revealed scant remains of the magnificent palace Herod built for himself in the northwestern spur of the Upper City ridge (Josephus, War 5,176). The palace was surrounded by strong walls and protected on its northern side by three massive towers (named after three of Herod's relatives: Mariamne, Hippicus, Phasael). Inside the fortifications, the palace consisted of lavishly decorated mansions and gardens. After Judea became a Roman province, the governors continued to use the palace as a residence. So the complex is one likely place for the trial of Jesus before Pontius Pilate. In 70, the palace was destroyed and the grounds were used for barracks by the 10th Legion afterwards. Only the towers, being too strong to be razed, survived as headquarters of the army.

Author of Commentary:Jurgen Zangenberg From Yahoo! images research.yale.edu The above picture is a model of Herod’s palace used by Pilate

John 18:28: Why did the Jews go to the Roman Pilate? Because they could not legally execute anyone – Rome had retained that authority. Obviously, since the Roman soldiers had participated in the arrest of Jesus, Pilate already knew that some proceedings were happening against Jesus. However, it seems he did not anticipate that they would bring Jesus in front of him for a judgment under Roman law.

7 Isn’t it interesting how the mind of legalistic religionists works? They were doing everything up to this point contrary to the Law of Moses and the Hebrew code of jurisprudence, yet they were being particular about entering a gentile place because it would have made them ceremonially unclean. If they had they would not have been able to participate in the religious ceremonies planned for later in the day and yet they planned to kill Jesus in violation of the law!

Passover: “The main meal of the Passover had taken place. The synoptic Gospels report that Jesus celebrated that meal the night before (see Matt. 26:17-29; Mark 14:12-25; Luke 22:7-22). However, there were other ceremonial meals during the Passover, which lasted the entire week” (Nelson Study Bible).

The time now is somewhere a little after 6:00 to as late as 7:00 A.M. Everything about this trial before Pilate did proceed according to Roman law for a non-Roman citizen except for the outcome. “The Holy Spirit mentions the trial before Pontius Pilate because Pilate was the only person who gave Jesus Christ an honest, objective hearing and cross-examination” (Theime, p.17). v.29: he sought to discover the accusation – step one, Roman law v.30: the Jewish leaders tried to avoid this step of the law because the Sanhedrin had not accused Jesus of anything violating Roman law, so they just wanted Pilate to take their word for it and just let them have their way. They were being evasive! v.31: Pilate seems to discern that this movement against Jesus had nothing to do with Roman law and everything to do with jealousy:

Matthew 27:18 (NASB) For he {Pilate} knew that because of envy they had handed Him over. v.31b: Here he discovers the true intent of the religious leaders against Jesus. In v.32 John notes that this was a fulfillment of prophecy given by Jesus (see Matthew 20:18- 19).

The leaders go on to try and give a charge against Jesus that would stand up under Roman law. Notice that in the three Jewish trials these things were never mentioned:

Luke 23:2 (NASB) 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."

In other words, they accuse Jesus of trying to lead a rebellion against Rome. That was treason. They made Jesus to be a revolutionary who wanted to set Himself up as a king over an independent Israel and reject Roman rule. According to Roman law the last charge of treason was punishable by death. With the charge of treason being given Pilate could not ignore the charges.

8 How remarkable that they made these charges! They themselves were misleading the nation; they themselves did all they could to avoid paying the Roman tax; they themselves wanted a political Messiah who would overthrow the power of Rome and bring in an independent nation which they thought would be a fulfillment of the promised Messianic kingdom prophesied in the Old Testament. John 18: 33: this was the interrogation, step two Roman law. What does the accused say about the charges?

The defense: step three in Roman law

v.34: Jesus asks a simple question. “Christ is asking whether He was accused of treason by Rome or by the Jews” (The Words and Works of Jesus, p.471). v.35: The question indicates Pilate still thinks all this is about Jewish questions and really had nothing to do with Roman law. But he was being careful as was required of his position as the representative of Rome. vv.35-37: Jesus clearly answered Pilate that He is indeed a king, but that the kingdom (at this point) was a spiritual one and no threat to Roman rule. There will be a fulfillment of the promised Messianic kingdom and the God-man in front of Pilate will indeed rule it as King of kings and Lord of lords. Yet, this was not the time for this kingdom to be established. Why? Because of the rejection of the Jews of their Messiah.

The Messianic Kingdom has been postponed but will be set up after the Second Coming of Christ at the end of the coming Tribulation. vv.37b-38a: Jesus gave Pilate an opportunity to learn the truth about Who He was. Jesus was the very embodiment of Truth (John 14:6). Pilate’s answer and actions shows two things:

1. he was not really interested in truth and probably did not even think there was such a thing as spiritual absolute truth – much like people today. One person writes: “His attitude toward religion is expressed in the question, asked in cynical impatience, ‘What is truth?’ meaning, ‘What is your truth to me? Fools may reason about it, statesman cannot rule by it; he but wastes his time who seeks it.’” (J.W. Shepherd The Christ of the Gospels, quoted in The Words and Works of Jesus Christ, p.472) 2. by rejecting the truth he was presented with he doomed himself to continued confusion. Some historical accounts state that a few months after this Pilate fell out of favor with Rome, was transferred to Gaul (western Europe) and there committed suicide. v.38b: the verdict: step four in Roman law.

The verdict of the trial was given: “I find no guilt in Him”: not guilty and innocent of the charges! Jesus could not be given the death penalty on the charge of treason. But the Jews would not accept this outcome of the legal trial:

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

Pilate had experienced problems with Jewish demonstrations and riots before and when Rome heard about it they were not pleased. Pilate now sense that things are about to get out of hand and it could get back to Rome again. THE FIFTH TRIAL OF JESUS

Luke 23:6-12 (p.68): Pilate saw an out when he heard that Jesus was from Galilee, the area the jurisdiction of another Roman by the name of Herod. This was Herod Antipas, one of the three surviving sons of Herod the Great who had tried to kill the baby Jesus (Matthew 2:1-18). Herod Antipas is the one who had John the Baptist beheaded at a drunken party. He had already expressed his desire to kill Jesus (see Luke 13:31). Jesus had called him “that fox” in Luke 13:32.

Up to this point Pilate and Herod Antipas had been enemies. Herod had once supported the Jews in a complaint against Pilate which hurt Pilate’s standing with Rome. However, from here on out they were friends (Luke 23:12).

Herod Antipas only wanted entertainment and a chance to be vindictive. When Jesus would not even talk to Him nor act like a court jester then Herod had his soldiers treat Him with sarcasm and contempt. Jesus did not speak probably because

1. he had already been declared innocent under Roman law 2. he knew that Herod had no interest either in truth or justice

This trial was illegal because Jesus had already been declared innocent under Roman law. Left: ancient coin of Herod Antipas

In 39 A.D. the Roman Emperor Caligula sent him into exile in a part of Gaul where he spent the rest of his life.

Luke 23:13-15: for the second time Jesus is declared innocent of all charges as far as Roman law is concerned. After Jesus’ arrival back to Pilate he tells the Jews Herod’s decision. Pilate then affirms the innocence of Jesus – the third declaration that Jesus was not guilty.

THE SIXTH TRIAL OF JESUS

10 Matthew 27:15-26; Mark 15:6-15; Luke 23:13-25; John 18:39-19:1, 4-16a

Pilate now tries two ways to get out of the political box the Jewish leaders had him in. This last trial was also illegal because three times He had been declared innocent. 1. Luke 23:16 (NASB) "Therefore I will punish Him and release Him." meaning he would beat Jesus with whips. 2. John 18:39-40 (p.88): this was an established Roman custom done in an attempt to gender good will among the Jews toward the Roman rule (see The Words and Works of Jesus Christ, p.473). See also Matthew 27:15.

Barabbas was a “habitual professional criminal” (Theime) who was a major thief, a rebel against Rome (he was the one guilty of rebellion, not Jesus), and also a murderer:

Mark 15:7 (NASB) The man named Barabbas had been imprisoned with the insurrectionists who had committed murder in the insurrection.

Acts 3:14 (NASB) "But you disowned the Holy and Righteous One, and asked for a murderer to be granted to you

“Pilate must have been quite taken back that the Jews would choose Barabbas rather than Jesus. Since Barabbas had committed murder in his rebellion (Mark 15:7), Pilate no doubt had thought the Jews’ sense of justice would demand that he be punished because he was guilty of a greater crime than Jesus” (The Words and Works of Jesus Christ, p.473).

John 19:1-3: trying to make the Jews satisfied with something less than death, Pilate has Him beaten with a Roman scourge (with bits of iron or bone attached to the ends) but the soldiers went even further mocking Him, placing a crown of thorns on His head, and punching him with their fists – like the Jews earlier in the day this beating with the fists was very personal. v.4: Pilate again states His innocence – the fourth time He was so declared. v.5: Pilate was no doubt hoping that this humiliation and beating would satisfy the Jews and they would back down form their demand for death. But it did not work.

“Behold the man” v.6: “Crucify, crucify” was their response.

11 v.7-11: the accusation of the Jews was truthful – He was indeed the Son of God – a reference to His deity. Pilate had enough of Roman religion in him to act in superstition. Was this some god come in human flesh like the ancient religions told about? Though Jesus did not answer his question directly, he did assert the real source of authority in this situation was from God in heaven thus establishing in fact where He was from (v.11). Not only that, but Pilate had by his earlier actions already shown his lack of interest in truth. Pilate already knew enough about both Jesus and the situation to make a correct decision.

“Perhaps the deity of Christ looked into the mind of Pilate and observed his negative volition. If he had positive volition, then information concerning the Gospel would have been provided, as the Good News is promised to those who have positive volition and desire a relationship with God (Jer. 29:13; John 7:17; Acts 17:27)” (Theime, p.26).

After this Pilate again speaks to the crowds and declares – for the fifth time (at least) the innocence of Jesus:

Matthew 27:22-23 (NASB) 22 Pilate said* to them, "Then what shall I do with Jesus who is called Christ?" They all said*, "Crucify Him!" 23 And he said, "Why, what evil has He done?" But they kept shouting all the more, saying, "Crucify Him!" v.12: the Jewish leaders pull out their “big gun”: a threat to accuse Pilate of treason against Caesar. This was a real issue for Pilate because his acquaintance Sejanus, who had gotten him this political position in Judea, had recently been executed for treason (October 18, 31 B.C.). Tiberius Caesar had executed all those around Sejanus so Pilate had reason to fear any accusations of treason against him. With this they had Pilate right where they wanted him and the result was the unjust and illegal crucifixion of Jesus Christ. v.13: Pilate took his place on the seat of judgment called The Pavement or Gabbatha. This was on a place in front of Pilates Praetorium. vv.14-15: Pilate did not have enough inner conviction to resist and do the right thing. He gave in. In verse 15 he gave them one last chance to change their minds: “Shall I crucify your King?” – but they lied about their inner attitudes and in pretend loyalty said, “We have no king but Caesar.”

Matthew 27:24-26 (NASB) 24 When Pilate saw that he was accomplishing nothing, but rather that a riot was starting, he took water and washed his hands in front of the crowd, saying, "I am innocent of this Man's blood; see to that yourselves." 25 And all the people said, "His blood shall be on us and on our children!" 26 Then he released Barabbas for them; but after having Jesus scourged, he handed Him over to be crucified.

“Afraid of being accused before Caesar (John 19:12) and fearful of inciting the Jews to riot,

12 Pilate sought to absolve himself of all responsibility for his decision” (The Words and Works of Jesus, p.476).

The result of all this was the crucifixion of the Lord Jesus Christ. It started about 9:00 A.M. (Mark 15:25).

While man was fully guilty of this great crime, it was still in the plan of God for this to happen. It was by this means that Jesus paid for the sins of the whole world (1 Jn.2:2).

Acts 2:22-24 (NASB) 22 "Men of Israel, listen to these words: Jesus the Nazarene, a man attested to you by God with miracles and wonders and signs which God performed through Him in your midst, just as you yourselves know— 23 this Man, delivered over by the predetermined plan and foreknowledge of God, you nailed to a cross by the hands of godless men and put Him to death. 24 "But God raised Him up again, putting an end to the agony of death, since it was impossible for Him to be held in its power.

He died as our substitute so that we do not have to suffer the Second Death – separation from God forever. He was separated from God during the hours of 12:00 noon until 3:00 (spiritual substitutionary death) and paid the sin debt so that we might have His righteousness credited to our account by simple faith alone. When we are convinced that it is true that we cannot do anything to contribute to our salvation and that He will give us eternal life when we trust Him for it, then we are given eternal life as a gift.

John 6:47 (NKJV) Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me has everlasting life.

2 Corinthians 5:21 (NASB) He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.

Ephesians 2:8-9 (NASB) 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; 9 not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.

Romans 6:23 (NASB) For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Jesus Christ promises eternal life

to everyone who believes Him alone for that life!