The Jewish Trials of Jesus Sunday Morning Introduction and Background Class The Jewish Trials of Jesus

Matthew 21:41 26:3-5 Luke 22:52-53 I. Characters Chief priests? Scribes? Elders? Sanhedrin?

Troops, officers, guards - John 18:3 - a Roman term - the Jewish authorities already have Roman soldiers involved - temple guards, Jewish police force, would have also likely been involved

Annas - former high priest - politically connected with the Romans - sons and now son-in-law succeeded him as high priest - owned a monopoly on the bazaars around the temple (animal merchants and money- changers)

Caiaphas - acting high priest - John 11:45-50 - point man in the condemnation of and plot to kill Jesus

II. Jewish justice Similar to most cultures Deuteronomy 16:18-20 17:7 19:16-19

III. Two phases of the Jewish Trials Before Annas (John 18:12-24) - vs. 19-21 - Interrogation, looking for evidence against Jesus - Jesus calls for witnesses

Before Caiaphas (Matthew, Mark, Luke) - Line of witnesses that do not harmonize - Two angles: 1) Speaking against the temple (like Jeremiah)

2) Blasphemy – claim to be... Christ = Messiah, trouble with the Romans for claim to be a king The Son of God = blasphemy to the Jews

IV. Characteristics, even irregularities of the proceedings Night In haste Caiaphas’ house Struggling to attain evidence during trial Manipulation of witnesses Physical abuse Jesus – unflappable, silent disdain

V. Christ’s confession – Matthew 26:62-66 It was a trap on Caiaphas’ part - Had to confess His identity - This would condemn Him before the Romans as a political threat Yet, the time had come ... - For Jesus to make a public declaration - To set the wheels in motion for the end