The Illegal Trials of Jesus

John 18:12-13Then the detachment of troops and the

captain of the officers of the Jews arrested Jesus and bound Him. And they led Him away to Annas first, for he was the father-in-law of Caiaphas who was high priest that year.

Annas was high priest from AD 7 – AD 15Caiaphas became high priest from AD 18 – AD

37

The Jews viewed Annas as the true high priest

John 18:19-24The high priest(Annas) then asked Jesus

about His disciples and His doctrine. Jesus answered him, “I spoke openly to the world. I always taught in synagogues and in the temple, where all the Jews meet, and in secret I have said nothing. Why do you ask Me? Ask those who have heard Me what I said to them. Indeed they know what I said.” And when He had said these things, one of the officers who stood by struck Jesus with the palm of his hand, saying, “Do you answer the high priest like that?”

John 18:19-24Jesus answered him, “If I have spoken evil,

bear witness of the evil; but if well, why do you strike me?” Then Annas sent Him bound to Caiaphas the high priest.

The Jews respected Annas more, but knew they need to go to Caiaphas because Caiaphas had sway with the Romans.

So Jesus is taken to Caiaphas

Matthew 26:57, 59-68And those who had laid hold of Jesus led Him

away to Caiaphas the high priest, where the scribes and the elders were assembled. Now the chief priests, and all council sought false testimony against Jesus to put Him to death, …the high priest arose and said to Him, “Do You answer nothing? What is it these men testify against You?” But Jesus kept silent, and the high priest answered and said to Him, “I put you under oath by the living God: Tell us if You are the Christ, the Son of God!”

Matthew 26:57, 59-68Jesus said, “It is as you said. Nevertheless, I

say to you, hereafter you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Power, and coming on the clouds of heaven.” Then the high priest tore his clothes, saying, “He has spoken blasphemy! What further need do we have of witnesses?...They answered and said, “He is deserving of death.” Then they spat in His face and beat Him; and others struck Him with the palms of their hands, saying, “Prophesy to us, Christ! Who is the one who struck You?”

Jesus Before the Sanhedrin70 members + the high priest = 71 peopleNotice they were waiting for Jesus, it was

planned

Jesus remains silent

High priest puts him under an oath to God

The verdict = GUILTY OF BLASPHEMYThey then physically abuse him

Jesus remains silent

It Was All IllegalIt was at nightNo defense attorney given to JesusNot allowed any credible witnessesArranged false witnesses were brought inBreaking the 9th commandment, “You shall not

give false testimony against your neighbor” Ex 20:16

Sanhedrin doesn’t render verdict immediately“Go home, eat light food, drink light wine, and

sleep well. Then return, hear the testimony again and render a verdict.”

2 Problems1. The Jews cannot sentence someone to

death

2. The verdict was BLASPHEMY, but the Roman government doesn’t care about that

So they will have to change the accusation

Mark 15:1Immediately, in the morning, the chief

priests held a consultation with the elders and scribes and the whole council; and they bound Jesus, led Him away, and delivered Him to Pilate.

Pontius Pilate“Pilate is unbending, recklessly hard. He is a

man of notorious reputation, severe brutality, prejudice, savage violence, and murder.”

(letter sent from Herod Agrippa to Emperor Caligula)

Solider, leader, administrator, legislatorHad to be a man who could make a decision

Pilate was “under watch” during this timeIf the crowd gets out of hand, he would be

blamed

John 18:28Then they lead Jesus from Caiaphas to the

Praetorium(where Pilate was), and it was early morning. But they themselves did not go into the Praetorium lest they should be defiled, but that they might eat the Passover.

HYPOCRISY!

Luke 23:2-5And they began to accuse Him(Jesus),

saying, “We found this fellow perverting our nation, and forbidding to pay taxes to Caesar, saying that He Himself is Christ, a King.” Then Pilate asked Him, “Are You the King of the Jews?” Jesus answered, “It is as you say.” So Pilate said to the chief priests and the crowd, “I find no fault in this man.” But they got more fierce, saying, “He stirs up the people teaching throughout all Judea, beginning from Galilee to this place.”

Luke 23:6-7When Pilate heard this , he asked if the

Man were a Galilean. And as soon as he heard that He belonged to Herod’s jurisdiction, he sent Him to Herod, who was also in Jerusalem at that time.

Same Herod who beheaded John the Baptist

Herod sends Jesus back to Pilate

Rushed Verdict?1. Jesus is arrested in the garden - 1:00am2. Taken to Annas – 2:00am verdict = blasphemy3. Taken to Caiaphas – 3:00am verdict = blasphemy4. Taken to the Sanhedrin – 6:00am verdict =

blasphemy5. Taken to Pilate – 7:00am charged with treason6. Taken to Herod – 7:30am mocked7. Taken back to Pilate – 8:00am condemned to die8. Put on the cross – 9:00am

A Rushed Judgment? You Decide

1. Jesus’ Character is Our Example

For what credit is it if, when you are beaten for your faults, you take it patiently? But when you do good and suffer, if you take it patiently, this is commendable before God. For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow His steps: “Who committed no sin, nor was deceit found in His mouth.” Who, when He was reviled, did not revile in return, when He suffered, he did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously.” – 1 Peter 2:20-23

2. Jesus Brings ConflictChallenging the status quo will bring conflict

The religious leaders were angry because Jesus was changing the world they knew and were comfortable with

When you say◦ Jesus is the only way…◦ That way of life is sin◦ Those decisions you are making are wrong

3. We Are Not Immune to Persecution

All the apostles and all Christians suffered/or will

“Remember the word that I said to you, “A servant is not greater than his master.” If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you.” – John 15:20

(after being beaten, the apostles) Departed from the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for the name of Jesus. And daily in the temple; and in every house, they did not cease teaching and preaching Jesus as the Christ.” – Acts 5:40-42

4. Jesus Has Gone Before UsBeen lied to?Been falsely accused?Suffered unjustly?

Jesus knows exactly what that is like Jesus will help you get through it, if you let Him

On Friday, his life looked bleakOn Sunday, his life was restored

Hebrews 4:14-16Seeing then that we have a great High

Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.