The Trial in front of Caiaphas and the Sanhedrin  

The Jewish Trial:

 

Matthew 26: 57-68:

Those who had arrested Jesus took him to Caiaphas, the high priest, where the teachers of the law and the elders had assembled. But Peter followed him at a distance, right up to the courtyard of the high priest. He entered and sat down with the guards to see the outcome.

 

The chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin were looking for false evidence against Jesus so that they could put him to death. But they did not find any, though many false witnesses came forward.

 

Finally two came forward and declared, “This fellow said, ‘I am able to destroy the temple of God and rebuild it in three days.’ ”

 

Then the high priest stood up and said to Jesus, “Are you not going to answer?  What is the testimony that these men are bringing against you?”  But Jesus remained silent.

 

The high priest said to him, “I charge you under oath by the living God: Tell us if you are the Christ, the Son of God.”

 

“Yes, it is as you say,” Jesus replied. “But I say to all of you: In the future you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven.”

 

Then the high priest tore his clothes and said, “He has spoken blasphemy!  Why do we need any more witnesses?  Look, now you have heard the blasphemy. What do you think?”

 

“He is worthy of death,” they answered.

 

Then they spit in his face and struck him with their fists. Others slapped him and said, “Prophesy to us, Christ. Who hit you?” (NIV)

Mark 14: 53-65:

They took Jesus to the high priest, and all the chief priests, elders and teachers of the law came together. Peter followed him at a distance, right into the courtyard of the high priest. There he sat with the guards and warmed himself at the fire.

 

The chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin were looking for evidence against Jesus so that they could put him to death, but they did not find any. Many testified falsely against him, but their statements did not agree.

 

Then some stood up and gave this false testimony against him: “We heard him say, ‘I will destroy this man-made temple and in three days will build another, not made by man.’  Yet even then their testimony did not agree.

 

Then the high priest stood up before them and asked Jesus, “Are you not going to answer?  What is this testimony that these men are bringing against you?”  But Jesus remained silent and gave no answer.

 

Again the high priest asked him, “Are you the Christ, the Son of the Blessed One?”

 

“I am,” said Jesus. “And you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven.”

 

The high priest tore his clothes. “Why do we need any more witnesses?” he asked. “You have heard the blasphemy. What do you think?”

 

They all condemned him as worthy of death. Then some began to spit at him; they blindfolded him, struck him with their fists, and said, “Prophecy!”  And the guards took him and beat him. (NIV)

 

Luke 22: 63-71:

The men who were guarding Jesus began mocking and beating him. They blindfolded him and demanded, “Prophesy!  Who hit you?”  And they said many other insulting things to him.

 

At daybreak the council of the elders of the people, both the chief priests and teachers of the law, met together, and Jesus was led before them. “If you are the Christ,” they said, “tell us.”

 

Jesus answered, “If I tell you, you will not believe me, and if I asked you, you would not answer. But from now on, the Son of Man will be seated at the right hand of the mighty God.”

 

They all asked, “Are you then the Son of God?”

 

He replied, “You are right in saying I am.”

 

Then they said, “Why do we need any more testimony?  We have heard it from his own lips.” (NIV)

 

John 18: 19-24:

Meanwhile, the high priest questioned Jesus about his disciples and his teaching.

 

“I have spoken openly to the world,” Jesus replied. “I have always taught in synagogues or at the temple, where all the Jews come together. I said nothing in secret. Why question me?  Ask those who heard me. Surely they know what I said.”

 

When Jesus said this, one of the officials nearby struck him in the face. “Is this the way you answer the high priest?” he demanded.

 

“If I said something wrong,” Jesus replied, “testify as to what is wrong. But if I spoke the truth, why did you strike me?”

 

Then Annas sent him, still bound, to Caiaphas the high priest. (NIV)

 

 

© 2011 Amy Deardon | www.amydeardon.com
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