Jesus Before Jewish Authorities
Matthew 26:57-68; Mark 14:53-72
The band and captain and officers of the Jews took Jesus and bound Him. They brought Him first to Annas, father-in-law of Caiaphas who was the high priest that year. Caiaphas is the one who said that it was expedient that one man die for the people. (Little did he know how he was prophesying Jesus’ death for all of our iniquities.).
Then they took Him to the hall of the high priest Caiaphas. With him were assembled all the chief priests and the elders and the scribes. Simon Peter and John followed Jesus at a distance to the palace of the high priest. There Peter denied Jesus three times
The chief priests and all the council sought for witness against Jesus to put Him to death and found none. There were many who bare false witness against Him, but their witness did not agree. There were certain false witnesses who said that they heard Him say that He would destroy the temple that is made with hands and within three days build another made without hands. But there was still no agreement between their testimonies.
The high priest stood up in the midst and asked Jesus: “Do you answer nothing? What is it which these witness against You?’ Jesus did not answer at all.
Again the high priest asked Him: “Are You the Christ?” Jesus answered him: “If I tell you, you will not believe, and if I also ask you, you will not answer me, nor let me go. I am He and you shall see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven.” Then they all said: “Are you then the Son of God?” He said to them: “You say that I am.”
Then the high priest tore his garments and said: “What need have we for more witnesses? You have heard His blasphemy. What need have we of further evidence? What is your decision?” And they all condemned Him as being guilty and deserving of death. They spit on Him, blindfolded Him, and struck Him with their fists and said to Him: “Prophesy to us, Christ. Who is he that struck you?” Again they hit him with blows of their hands.
Early in the morning the chief priests held a consultation with the elders and scribes and the whole council. Then the whole assembly of them got up and bound Jesus and led Him from Caiaphas to the hall of judgment, Pilate’s house. They delivered Him to Pontius Pilate, the Governor. They did not go into the judgment hall so that they might not become ceremonially unclean and might be fit to eat the Passover. (Once again, how little they knew that they were already unclean with their sins.)
Pilate went out to them and said: “What accusation do you bring against this Man?” The chief priests accused Him of many things. They said: “If He were not a criminal, we would not have handed Him over to you. We found this fellow perverting the nation and forbidding to give tribute to Caesar, saying that He Himself is Christ, a King.” Then said Pilate unto them: “Take Him yourselves and judge and sentence and punish Him according to your own law. The Jews answered: “It is not lawful for us to put anyone to death.”