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The trial of Jesus and the Sanhedrin At the time of Jesus, the Sanhedrin included the rulers, the twenty-four chief priests, who were Sadducees; it included the elders and scribes who were Pharisees. The head was the high priest (a Sadducee). They all came together in Jerusalem for this particular day to deal with a problem, Jesus and his teaching (they did the same for the apostles inActs 4:5-7). Judaism had developed laws for hundreds of years (called the tradition of the elders) that went further than Scripture, controlling every facet of Jewish life. Referred to as the tradition of the elders (Mk. 7:3). They had 100 laws for every one of the 613 laws except for the Sabbath, which they had specially made a 1,000 laws for (the Sabbath was considered the Queen). All these laws they made took them away from Moses’ law, the Scripture. This governmental body REJECTED Jesus as the Messiah, because He rejected their extra Biblical laws that they added. This contention translated into real-life situations that had Jesus challenged in nearly everything he did. They ended up following him around and when they could not be there they sent emissaries to report back what they saw him do. Matt 26:14-16 called Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests and said, "What are you willing to give me if I deliver Him to you?" And they counted out to him thirty pieces of silver. So from that time he sought opportunity to betray Him.” That day did not come until God allowed it to. After the Pesach meal at the last supper (Passover) Jesus knew it was time. Mark 14:27 Jesus said to them, "All of you will be made to stumble because of Me this night ” Jesus went off the pray to be prepared for what he was soon to go through and took his three closest disciples, those who were with him on the Mount where he was transfigured. Jesus suddenly wakes them up to tell them he is being betrayed. “Judas, with a great multitude with swords and clubs, came from the chief priests and the scribes and the elders. Is there to identify him by a kiss he asks them to “take Him and lead Him away safely." (Mark 14:43-45) having no idea what their intentions really were. Peter and some apostles are ready to fight , he drew his sword cuts off the ear of the servant of the high priest, (Matt 26:51) Jesus says to put away the sword and says basically what he will later say to pilate “If My kingdom were of this world, My servants would fight, so that I should not be delivered to the Jews ” (John 18:36) Jesus said to the chief priests, captains of the temple, and the elders who had come to Him, "Have you come out, as against a robber, with swords and clubs? When I was with you daily in the temple, you did not try to seize Me. But this is your hour, and the power of darkness." Mark 14:53 Jesus is brought to the high priests house “and with him were assembled all the chief priests, the elders, and the scribes.” Jesus underwent the trial of the Sanhedrin before he went before Pilate. They broke 22 of their own laws to find him guilty. First and foremost, they tried him by their own court overnight and then delivered him to Pilate. They went out of their way to have him crucified. When he was before Pilate he asked the people what he should do, they Saduceees, and Pharisees and others were there to manipulate the people to their side to make sure he was dealt with once and for all. They, not all of Israel were to be held guilty for this crime. Mark 15:1-2 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 . John 18:28 Jesus is brought from Caiaphas to the Praetorium, John 19:5-9 “Jesus came out, wearing the crown of thorns and the purple robe. And Pilate said to them, "Behold the Man!" Therefore, when the chief priests and officers saw Him, they cried out, saying, "Crucify Him, crucify Him! " Pilate said to them, "You take Him and crucify Him, for I find no fault in Him." The Jews answered him, "We have a law, and according to our law He ought to die, because He made Himself the Son of God." Therefore, when Pilate heard that saying, he was the more afraid, and went again into the Praetorium,” he began to have a conversation with Jesus There were numerous accusations spoken to have him be found guilty, one was about not paying taxes. Pilate engaged Jesus into conversation of which would not answer his questions. Pilate asked him about being a king? In one of the greatest proclamations in Jesus’ ministry he responds, “You say rightly that I am a king. For this cause I was born, and for this cause I have come into the world, that I should bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice." Pilate said to Him, "What is truth?" And when he had said this, he went out again to the Jews, and said to them, "I find no fault in Him at all .” (John 18:37-38.) The truth is that he going to be crucified for our sin. It was some, (not all) the religious leaders who led the crowd into a frenzy for his death. Matt 27:12-14 “while He was being accused by the chief priests and elders, He answered nothing. Then Pilate said to Him, "Do You not hear how many things they testify against You?" And He answered him not one word, so that the governor marveled greatly.” Pilate may have wondered if Jesus wanted to die considering he had nothing to say. Luke 23:3 Then Pilate asked Him, saying, "Are You the King of the Jews?" He answered him and said, "It is as you say." At this point Pliate was getting frustrated and said to Jesus “Do You not know that I have power to crucify You, and power to release You?" Jesus answered, "You could have no power at all against Me unless it had been given you from above. Therefore the one who delivered Me to you has the greater sin." (John 19:10-12) As Jesus was brought before Pilate in front of the gathering of leaders and people, Matt. 27:17-21 Pilate said to them, "Whom do you want me to release to you? Barabbas, or Jesus who is called Christ?" For he knew that they had handed Him over because of envy. While he was sitting on the judgment seat, his wife sent to him, saying, "Have nothing to do with that just Man, for I have suffered many things today in a dream because of Him ." But the chief priests and elders persuaded the multitudes that they should ask for Barabbas and destroy Jesus.” The conundrum is that Pilates wife did not have a dream from God. For it was God’s will for Jesus to go to the cross on this day, crucifixion was the means for our sins to be forgiven (Lk.22:42). It was Satan who wanted him dead but not at Passover, nor in this way. This was his last ditch attempt, sending Pilate’s wife the dream to have Pilate cancel Jesus’ crucifixion and prevent Scripture from taking place. But instead, Bar-abbas was set free and Jesus was crucified because of the religious mob that spoke out against him. This event fulfilled (Matt. 21:38-39), the story Jesus spoke to the leaders on the vinedressers seeing the son, recognizing he is the heir and intended to kill him. It was the religious leaders that wanted Jesus gone, they just had their own trial in the early morning and then had him brought to Pilate for only Rome could execute someone. Luke 23:16-25 “Pilate was willing to whip and release Him" v.17 (for it was necessary for him to release one to them at the feast). And they all cried out at once, saying, "Away with this Man, and release to us Barabbas"-- who had been thrown into prison for a certain rebellion made in the city, and for murder. Pilate, therefore, wishing to release Jesus, again called out to them. But they shouted, saying, "Crucify Him, crucify Him!" Then he said to them the third time, "Why, what evil has He done? I have found no reason for death in Him. I will therefore chastise Him and let Him go." But they were insistent, demanding with loud voices that He be crucified. And the voices of these men and of the chief priests prevailed . So Pilate gave sentence that it should be as they requested. “Pilate said to them, “What then shall I do with Jesus who is called Christ?” They all said to him, “Let Him be crucified!” Then the governor said, “Why, what evil has He done?” But they cried out all the more, saying, “Let Him be crucified!” When Pilate saw that he could not prevail at all, but rather that a tumult was rising, he took water and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, “I am innocent of the blood of this just Person. You see to it.” And all the people answered and said, “His blood be on us and on our children.” Then he released Barabbas to them; and when he had scourged Jesus, he delivered Him to be crucified” (Matt 27:17-26). Pilate tried what he could to not have this take place, but God's will overruled him. Acts 3:13 tells us Pilate, was determined to let Him go. John 19:12 “Pilate sought to release Him, but the Jews (meaning certain ones that were gathered) cried out, saying, "If you let this Man go, you are not Caesar's friend. Whoever makes himself a king speaks against Caesar.” Pilate was in a bind, he did not want an insurrection. The religious Jews who wanted Jesus to be dealt with once and for all gathered others on their side to be there early in the morning to back them up. This was a conspiracy among those who were the religious elite, who were always contentious against Jesus. They were in the position of power to have him crucified. Peter Says, to those Jews he knows is among them at Pentecost “Him, being delivered by the determined purpose and foreknowledge of God, you have taken by lawless hands, have crucified, and put to death” (Acts 2:23-24) Acts 17:31 Similarly, Paul explains to the men at the Areopagus, what God has done and will do someday in the future. “because He has appointed a day on which He will judge the world in righteousness by the Man whom He has ordained. He has given assurance of this to all by raising Him from the dead." The Son of God who died is the one worthy to judge all, and he will do so justly, in righteousness. |
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