Jesus is Brought Before The Sanhedrin

Topic: Accused
Passage: Mark 14:53–65

May 18, 2022

Commentary

Jesus was led off to the high priest and all the other leaders (v. 53). Peter followed at a distance and sat down beside a fire with the guards (v. 54). Jesus knew what it was like to be falsely accused (vv 55-59). The Sanhedrin had seventy-one members which included the Sadducees (the priestly classes), the Pharisees (experts in the law), the Scribes and also the respected elders. It had full power over religious matters, but it had no power to inflict the death penalty. Its function was not to condemn, but to prepare a charge on which the criminal could be tried before the Roman governor. The policy of the Sanhedrin forbid the asking of questions to a person on trial that would incriminate him, but this was the kind of questions the High Priest asked (v.60).  He asked Jesus if He was the Messiah (v. 61). When Jesus answered that He was, this was the charge the Sanhedrin had been waiting for (v. 62). They said, “this is blasphemy” (v. 63). The entire Sanhedrin then condemned Jesus guilty and worthy of death (v. 64). They spat on Him and beat Him (v. 65).

Lawyers who have studied these proceedings say the trial of our Lord was a travesty of justice and a mockery of legality. The place where Jesus was tried was illegal. The Sanhedrin was required to hold its hearings in the hall of stones in the temple, but Jesus was tried in the private residences of Annas and Caiaphas. A case could not be tried at night, yet Jesus was tried at night. A person was not to be tried on a feast day, yet Jesus was tried during Passover. The proceedings themselves were illegal as the judge was the prosecutor and the one who actually pressed the case against Jesus. The witnesses had to agree, but these witnesses did not agree. Jesus was convicted before He was tried.

Application

Jesus gave us an example of keeping quiet at times and of speaking at other times. Ask - What type of situations do I feel I can handle best silently? When is it best for me to speak? What are some examples in my life that I can think of from both speaking and keeping quiet?

Mark 14:53– 65 (NET)

53 Then they led Jesus to the high priest, and all the chief priests and elders and experts in the law came together. 54 And Peter had followed him from a distance, up to the high priest’s courtyard. He was sitting with the guards and warming himself by the fire. 55 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 anything. 56 Many gave false testimony against him, but their testimony did not agree. 57 Some stood up and gave this false testimony against him: 58 “We heard him say, ‘I will destroy this temple made with hands and in three days build another not made with hands.’” 59 Yet even on this point their testimony did not agree. 60 Then the high priest stood up before them and asked Jesus, “Have you no answer? What is this that they are testifying against you?” 61 But he was silent and did not answer. Again the high priest questioned him, “Are you the Christ, the Son of the Blessed One?” 62 “I am,” said Jesus, “and you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Power and coming with the clouds of heaven.” 63 Then the high priest tore his clothes and said, “Why do we still need witnesses? 64 You have heard the blasphemy! What is your verdict?” They all condemned him as deserving death. 65 Then some began to spit on him, and to blindfold him, and to strike him with their fists, saying, “Prophesy!” The guards also took him and beat him.

Illustration: Hitchhiker Hands Over His Wallet (Mark 14:53)

John was driving home late one night when he picked up a hitchhiker. As they rode along, he began to be suspicious of his passenger. John checked to see if his wallet was safe in the pocket of his coat that was on the seat between them, but it wasn’t there! So he slammed on the brakes, ordered the hitchhiker out, and said, “Hand over the wallet immediately!”  The frightened hitchhiker handed over a billfold and John drove off. When he arrived home, he started to tell his wife about the experience, but she interrupted him, saying, “Before I forget, John, do you know that you left your wallet at home this morning?” (Our Daily Bread, October 2, 1992)

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