As we continue remember this is still Tuesday night (or Wednesday Jewish time). Jesus is in Gethsemane with His disciples and is about to be arrested (see John 18:12, Luke 22:54, Mark 14:53 and Matthew 26:57). You should note Peter’s denial in Luke 22:55-62, which Jesus had predicted earlier in Luke 22:31-34.
This brings us to the 6 different trials of Jesus during that night. We’ll look at John’s account of the first trial (John 13:19-24). As we progress through these different examinations I want to point you to the fact that Jesus did not try to defend Himself, but merely pointed to what He had done publicly in the past and ask what wrong had He done – a question that was never answered by His examiners.
Verse 13 tells us they “led Him away to Annas first”. Annas was the head of a powerful family. He had been appointed high priest several times and had 5 sons and a son-in-law (Caiaphas, the current high priest identified in verse 13) all of whom had been the high priest at some time. In verse 19 Annas asks Jesus two questions: the first was Jesus’ authority to appoint disciples and forming a new sect; the second was His authority to preach new doctrine and thus setting Himself up as a reformer – both of which were not approved by the Sanhedrin. Look at verses 20-21 for Jesus’ answer. The thing to note also here is the rough treatment Jesus received in verse 22, a mild sample of what was to come later.
In this first trial Annas was trying to find something he could use to legally accuse Jesus in an attempt to legitimize their plan to dispose of Him (see John 11:49-52 with 18:14). It should be noted here as well that these trials all took place at night, which was against the law according to the Talmud that states, “Criminal processes can neither commence nor terminate, but during the course of the day.” (Sanhedrin c, iv. S. 1) In addition to this, if anyone was condemned he could not be sentenced until the next day. And, no judgment could be executed on the eve of a Sabbath or of any festival. All these laws were broken as had been predicted (that justice and judgment would be taken away during His trials (Isaiah 53:8, compare Acts 8:33).
“Then Annas sent Him bound to Caiaphas, the high priest that year.” (John 18:24, Matthew 26:57) For the account of the second trial we’ll go to Matthew 26:57-68. Now we find out this trial had been planned, probably since the time Judas had agreed to betray Jesus (Matthew 26:14-16), as the chief priests, elders and all the council were assembled with Caiaphas (verses 57, 59).
Maybe a short explanation is in order here. The chief priests were the heads of the 24 courses of priests charged with the priestly duties of the temple (I Chronicles 24:1-19). The elders were the heads of families and the oldest of the tribes and represented the people before the Sanhedrin (Exodus 3:16-18, 4:29). And “all the council” is the 71 members of the Sanhedrin, the supreme court of the nation that heard appeals from lower courts and tried cases deemed too important for the lower courts. There was a vice-president, who led the discussions in the trials and a president, who represented the court and its decisions to the Romans.
As stated earlier, Annas tried to find something he could accuse Jesus of that presumably would be worthy of a death sentence. This second trial builds on that. “Now the chief priests and elders and all the council assembled together sought false witnesses to testify against Jesus, so they could put Him to death.” (Verse 59) Then in the next verse (60) it seems they were not able to find any that could bring a creditable charge until two men came forward and said Jesus had made the claim “I could destroy the temple of God and then build it up again in three days” (a reference to Jesus’ statement concerning His own body, made in John 2:18-22).
This was what Caiaphas was waiting for, and he jumped on it (verse 62). But Jesus was calm and patient, no doubt knowing that Caiaphas was about to give Him the opportunity to say something that would further enflame the situation (remember, in an earlier lesson I mentioned there would be examples coming that would show how Jesus controlled the circumstances that would lead to His eventual death and here comes one of those examples).
This is verse 63, “But Jesus kept silent. And the high priest said to Him, I’m asking You to swear by the living God, tell us if You are the Christ, the Son of God!” This is what Jesus was waiting for and this is His answer in verse 64. “Jesus answered, You have stated (a fact). And even beyond that, I’m telling you: in the future you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of the Almighty and coming in the clouds of the sky.”
Now Caiaphas had what he needed. “Then the high priest tore his clothes and shouted, He has spoken blasphemy, we don’t need any more witnesses! You heard His blasphemy! What do you think? And they all answered, He deserves to be put to death.” (Verses 65-66) I’ve always thought this was a little disingenuous of Caiaphas. In Ezra 9:3 when the prophet heard about the sins of the people he rent his clothes, tore out the hair of his head and beard and sat down appalled. All Caiaphas could do was tear his clothes and shout.
But it had the desired effect. “Then they spit in His face and hit Him with their fists, and some slapped Him in the face. And they mocked Him, saying, prophesy to us, You Christ, who is it that hit You?” (Verses 67-68) Notice now how the insults and violence is increasing.
Everything we’ve looked at so far probably took place late Tuesday night, which brings us to the third trial early Wednesday morning (Matthew 27:1, Luke 22:66-71). We’ll look at Luke’s account. “As soon as it was day” (Luke 22:66) the usual suspects gathered, asked the same questions, received the same answers and came to the same conclusion (verses 67-71). This brings us to Luke 23:1, “Then the whole assembly got up and led Him to Pilate. The next lesson starts with the fourth trial, where the plot thickens.