The trial of Jesus

Just the other day I watched an hour-long special reviewing all of the major turning points in the case concerning the people of California versus O.J. Simpson. Remember that one? From the now infamous white bronco chase down the California freeway to the lawyers’ admonition, “If it doesn’t fit, you must acquit,” this became known as “the trial of the century.” However, the trial of Jesus could be called “the trial of the ages”!

Over the course of one evening, Jesus endured six trials . . . three before Jewish authorities and three before Roman authorities. In tomorrow’s blog I will overview all six of these trials. In Mark 14:53-65, the Gospel writer is speaking of the second of these six trials which was held before the Sanhedrin. The Sanhedrin was the highest court of the Jewish people made up of 70 chief priests, elders and scribes. The group was under the chairmanship of the High Priest, himself being the 71st member. The High Priest at this time was a man named Caiapahs who was the son in law to Annas, the former High Priest. Josephus describes Caiaphas as having a reputation for bribery and a love for money. The Sanhedrin needed a two-thirds quorum to conduct business so it appears that most of its members were present for this trial even though the time was about 3am.

The Sanhedrin was attempting to find testimonial evidence against Jesus that would be worthy of sentencing Him to death. None of the testimony they had, however, was consistent enough to render a verdict. Jewish law required two agreeing witnesses to establish a charge (Deut. 19:15). Two men did testify that Jesus said that He would destroy the Jewish temple and then rebuild it supernaturally. Jesus did speak similar words in John 2:19. However, He said “You” destroy the temple, not “I” will destroy the temple. He was speaking of His own body and predicting his coming death and resurrection. Even on this issue the dual testimonies were not consistent.

The High Priest himself decided to question Jesus asking for a response from Him regarding these many accusations. A defendant could not be forced to testify against himself and so Jesus remained silent. Caiaphas then directly asked Jesus, “Are you the Christ, the Son of the Blessed One?” To answer such a question affirmatively would be seen as blasphemy and be punishable by death. Jesus acknowledges His deity and then predicts that He would be at God’s right hand and then return as judge (see Daniel 7:13).

Caiaphas tears his clothes, a gesture of abhorrence, and accuses Jesus of blasphemy asking what more evidence was needed. The Sanhedrin jointly and unanimously found Jesus worthy of death but the council would have to wait and meet again just after dawn for the final vote as it was illegal to make such a decision in the evening hours.

The judicial preceding ended in violence against Jesus. The council blind-folded Him, beat Him with fists and slapped him in the face. They proceeded to mock Him by asking Him to identify who had just hit Him. And this was just one of the six trials He endured on His way to the cross to pay your sin debt and mine.