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

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

3. 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

4. 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)

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

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

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

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

9. 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

10. 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

11. 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