Trial & Denial – 14th Nissan

Please read Matthew 26:57-27:14, Mark 14:53-15:1,
Luke 22:55-23:12 & John 18:13-38

YESHUA BEFORE ANNAS
First they led Him to Annas, for he was the father-in-law of Caiaphas, who was high priest that year.  It was Caiaphas who had advised the Jews that it would be expedient that One Man should die for the people. …
The high priest then questioned Jesus about His disciples and His teaching. 
Jesus answered him, “I have spoken openly to the world. I have always taught in synagogues and in the temple, where all Jews come together. I have said nothing in secret. Why do you ask Me? Ask those who have heard Me what I said to them; they know what I said.”  
When He had said these things, one of the officers standing by struck Jesus with his hand, saying, “Is that how You answer the high priest?”  
Jesus answered him, “If what I said is wrong, bear witness about the wrong; but if what I said is right, why do you strike Me?”  
Annas then sent Him bound to Caiaphas the high priest. John 18:13-14, 19-24 ESV

This examination before Annas was informal, and extrajudicial, distinct from the formal trial before Caiaphas and the Sanhedrin. Yeshua was not yet accused of anything; so far, no judge had ascended the judgment-seat, neither were any witnesses called to give evidence against the prisoner. It was held with the view of extorting something from the captive, which might afterwards be used against Him. Brutality and intimidation were employed to try to force a confession. Yeshua‘s response exposed both this illegitimate procedure of trying to force a confession from the accused instead of hearing testimony from witnesses and Annas’ sin of plotting in secret against Yeshua’s life as opposed to Yeshua’s innocence in doing everything in the open: “I have spoken openly to the world. I have always taught in synagogues and in the temple, where all Jews come together. I have said nothing in secret. Why do you ask Me? Ask those who have heard Me what I said to them; they know what I said.”

The inquisitor himself was so ashamed, and for the moment so confounded, that a zealous official struck Yeshua with his open hand. The innocent, unabashed face of our persecuted Lord was thus smitten because His simple defense had silenced His cruel opponent. Seeing his tactics were failing and feeling uncomfortably exposed, the senior Kohen Gadol (High Priest), Annas, sent Yeshua on to the official Kohen Gadol at that time, his son-in-law Caiaphas.

JEWISH KOHEN GADOL (HIGH PRIESTs)
The Kohen Gadol, the High Priest, held the holiest position in Judaism. His role extended through history, from Aaron in ancient times until the destruction of the Second Temple. The Kohen Gadol‘s job was to oversee the Temple service and act as spiritual leader to the Jewish people. His most prominent responsibility was entering the Holy of Holies on Yom Kippur – when the most sacred time, person, and place converged. Torah dictated that the High Priesthood was to be passed from father to son upon the death of the father (Leviticus 16:32). The first Kohen Gadol to serve in the Temple was Aaron’s descendant Zadok, who had proven faithful to David and to God’s will through significant trials, and the High Priesthood remained in his family line throughout the Solomon’s Temple and into the service of the Second Temple.

During the time of the destruction of the First Temple God had declared through Ezekiel: “But the priests the Levites, the sons of Zadok, that kept the charge of my sanctuary when the children of Israel went astray from me, they shall come near to me to minister unto me, and they shall stand before me to offer unto me the fat and the blood, saith the LORD GOD: They shall enter into my sanctuary, and they shall come near to my table, to minister unto me, and they shall keep my charge,” (Ezekiel 44:15-16).

After the death of Zerubbabel, there was a tendency to combine political and priestly leadership in a single office with the political leadership of the nation being invested in the High Priesthood. This led to unscrupulous men doing whatever it took to attain to the position.

The ascension of Antiochus IV Epiphanes to the Seleucid throne in 175 BC marked the beginning of the end of Israel’s true High Priesthood. Onias III, a descendant of Zadok, was deposed and replaced as Kohen Gadol by his Hellenized brother, Jason, who promised Antiochus IV higher tax revenues from the Jews and a secularization of the holiest Jewish office; then Menaulus, a non-Kohen from the tribe of Benjamin, promised Antiochus IV an even larger sum for the position of Kohen Gadol and the priestly line was usurped. The position had become one of political power, intrigue and wealth rather than obedience to God.

After their successful revolt against Antiochus IV, the priestly house of Hasmon (who were Levites but not descended from Aaron or Zadok) took on the role of Kohen Gadol. About a decade later Simon declared himself both High Priest and king. The High Priests’ assumption of monarchy was passed down through the generations and led to strife, division and civil war between brothers over the office until each one asked the Roman Empire to come and help him defeat his brother – leading to subjugation of the nation. 

Although the First Temple saw only 18 High Priests throughout its 400 years, over 300 served during the Second Temple’s 420 years!  The practice of buying the High Priesthood from their Gentile overlords continued (with some exceptions) throughout Hasmonean and Roman sovereignty. This explains the extremely high number of Kohen Gadols during this era (around 285 in 279 years).

Herod the Great (ruled Judea 37 – 4 B.C.) replaced High Priests at his pleasure. Herod’s first appointment to the position of High Priest was a man named Ananelus in 37 B.C. The following year, 36 B.C., he replaced Ananelus with Aristobulus III, who was only 17 years old at the time, but less than a year later he had Aristobulus III murdered through drowning and reinstated Ananelus. Then Joshua ben Fabus in 30 B.C., Simon ben Boethus (father of Herod’s third wife, Mariamne II) in 23 B.C., Matthias ben Theophilus in 5 B.C. and Joazar ben Boethus in 4 B.C.

Herod‘s son, Archelaus (ruled Judea 4 B.C. – 6 A.D.) appointed three High Priests: Eleazar ben Boethos in 4 B.C., Joshua ben Sie in 3 B.C., and Joazar ben Boethos sometime before he was deposed by Rome in 6 A.D.

Roman Legate, Quirinius (governor of Syria with authority over Judea 6 A.D. – 12 A.D.), appointed Ananus (Annas) ben Seth as the first High Priest of the newly formed Roman province of Judea in 6 A.D. Annas was born into an affluent and influential family. His name in Greek is Hannas, meaning “the Lord is gracious.” As leader of the Sanhedrin, Annas sat at the height of Jewish aristocracy. He was wealthy, well-educated, and in league with the ruling Roman authorities. Annas officially served as Kohen Gadol for ten years (AD 6–15). Even when he no longer formally held the title of Kohen Gadol, Annas continued to command so much of the authority of that office that he was still often referred to as Kohen Gadol, aided greatly by the fact that his five sons, and his son-in-law Caiaphas, were subsequently each appointed High Priest.

Roman Prefect of Judea from 15 A.D. – 26 A.D., Valerius Gratus, appointed Ishmael ben Fabus (Phabi) as High Priest in 15 A.D., replaced by Eleazar ben Annas in 16 A.D., replaced by Simon ben Camithos in 17 A.D., replace by Annas‘ son-in-law Joseph (Caiaphas) in 18 A.D. Caiaphas remained Kohen Gadol until 36 A.D., which was after Yeshua‘s crucifixion.

Annas may have continued to live in part of the High Priest’s palace when his younger relatives officially held the office. The sons of Annas appointed High Priest by their Roman overlords:
Eleazar ben Annas 16 -17 A.D.,
Caiaphas (son-in-law) 18 – 36 A.D.,
Jonathan ben Annas 36–37 and 44 A.D.,
Theophilus ben Annas 37–41 A.D.,
Matthias ben Annas 43 A.D., and his namesake
Annas ben Annas in 63 A.D.

PETER’S FIRST DENIAL
Now those who had seized Yeshua led Him away to Caiaphas, the Kohen Gadol, where the Torah scholars and elders had gathered. Peter was following Him from a distance as far as the courtyard of the Kohen Gadol. And after going inside, he was sitting with the guards, to see the outcome. …
Meanwhile, Peter was sitting in the courtyard. A servant girl came over to him and said, “You also were with Yeshua of the Galilee.”
But he denied it before everyone, saying, “I don’t know what you’re talking about!”
Matthew 26:57-58, 69-70 TLV

And Peter had followed him at a distance, right into the courtyard of the high priest. And he was sitting with the guards and warming himself at the fire.  …
 And as Peter was below in the courtyard, one of the servant girls of the high priest came, and seeing Peter warming himself, she looked at him and said, “You also were with the Nazarene, Jesus.”  
But he denied it, saying, “I neither know nor understand what you mean.”
Mark 14:54, 66-68 ESV

Peter was following at a distance. And after they had kindled a fire in the middle of the courtyard and had sat down together, Peter was sitting among them. And a servant-girl, seeing him as he sat in the firelight and looking intently at him, said, “This man was with Him too.”
But he denied it, saying, “Woman, I do not know Him.” Luke 22:54b-57 LSB

Simon Peter followed Jesus, and so did another disciple. Since that disciple was known to the high priest, he entered with Jesus into the courtyard of the high priest, but Peter stood outside at the door.
So the other disciple, who was known to the high priest, went out and spoke to the servant girl who kept watch at the door, and brought Peter in.  
The servant girl at the door said to Peter, “You also are not one of this man’s disciples, are you?” He said, “I am not.” John 18:15-17 ESV

As we saw in Who Wrote Each of the Four Gospels 7 – The Witness of the Scriptures on John – Renewal Blog, the author of John’s gospel appears to have been a priest who lived in Jerusalem and served in the temple. So, he was known to the high priest, familiar with his palace and comfortable in its courtyard. He fit in with the other priests gathered to see what the commotion was about. Peter, however, was like a fish out of water. He didn’t know anyone else here, didn’t dress the same or sound the same, with his Galilean accent. Peter would have both looked and sounded conspicuously out of place in that setting. The lowly servant girl who kept watch at the door was the first one to guess at why this stranger was sitting among them, come over to Peter and challenge that he had been with Yeshua.

PETER’S SECOND DENIAL
When he went onto the porch, another servant girl saw him and said to those who were there, “This man was with Yeshua ha-Natzrati.”
Again he denied it with an oath: “I don’t know the Man!” Matthew 26:71-72 TLV

And he went out into the gateway (forecourt) and the rooster crowed.
And the servant girl saw him and began again to say to the bystanders, “This man is one of them.”  
But again he denied it. Mark 14:68b-70a ESV

A little later, another saw him and said, “You are one of them too!”
But Peter said, “Man, I am not!” Luke 22:58 LSB

Now the servants and officers had made a charcoal fire, because it was cold, and they were standing and warming themselves. Peter also was with them, standing and warming himself. …
Now Simon Peter was standing and warming himself. So they said to him, “You also are not one of his disciples, are you?”
He denied it and said, “I am not.” John 18:18,25 ESV

Fear gripped Peter, he was a stranger in a strange and threatening place. He had lashed out in the garden and slashed off the ear of the High Priest’s servant, and now he was in the courtyard with those who had witnessed his crime, those who were determined to kill his Master. He wanted to be there for Yeshua, but couldn’t do anything to help, every option only made things worse. He was traumatized and confused. How could this be happening? None of it made sense and there was nothing he could do to fix this mess. Before he knew what had happened, Peter had denied his Lord a second time.

PETER’S THIRD DENIAL
A little while later, some of the bystanders approached Peter and said to him, “Surely you’re one of them, too—your accent gives you away.”
Then he began to curse and to swear an oath: “I do not know the Man!”
Right then, a rooster crowed. Then Peter reminded himself of the word Yeshua had said: “Before the rooster crows, you will deny Me three times.”
And he went away and wept bitterly. Matthew 26:73-75 TLV

And after a little while the bystanders again said to Peter, “Certainly you are one of them, for you are a Galilean.” 
But he began to invoke a curse on himself and to swear, “I do not know this man of whom you speak.”  
And immediately the rooster crowed a second time.
And Peter remembered how Jesus had said to him, “Before the rooster crows twice, you will deny me three times.” 
And he broke down and wept. Mark 14:70b-72 ESV

And after about an hour had passed, another man began to insist, saying, “Certainly this man was with Him too, for he also is a Galilean.”
But Peter said, “Man, I do not know what you are talking about.”
Immediately, while he was still speaking, a rooster crowed. And the Lord turned and looked at Peter. And Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how He had told him, “Before a rooster crows today, you will deny Me three times.”
And he went out and cried bitterly. Luke 22:59-62 LSB

One of the servants of the high priest, a relative of the man whose ear Peter had cut off, asked, “Did I not see you in the garden with him?” 
Peter again denied it, and at once a rooster crowed. John 18:26-27 ESV

The pressure was mounting. Now it wasn’t just a lowly servant-girl who challenged Peter, but another man, someone who with authority, a servant of the High Priest, a relative of the man whose ear Peter had cut off, someone who had personal reason to want to do him harm. This time the questioning was more menacing. Peter felt trapped, like a cornered animal. He began to invoke a curse on himself, to curse and to swear an oath: “I do not know the Man!”

The rooster crowed. Mark tells us it was for the second time. Yeshua turned and looked at him. Suddenly Peter realized what had been happening. He had done what he was determined he would never do, denied his Lord and best friend three times. He had totally failed. He knew it and Yeshua knew it, Yeshua had known it from the beginning and now Peter saw this weakness his Master had known all along, and he was devastated. He fled that place of utter failure, went out and wept bitterly, grieving the loss of who he thought he was.

TRIAL BEFORE THE SANHEDRIN
Now those who had seized Yeshua led Him away to Caiaphas, the kohen gadol, where the Torah scholars and elders had gathered. …Now the ruling kohanim and all the Sanhedrin kept trying to get false testimony against Yeshua so they could put Him to death. But they found none, though many false witnesses came forward.
At last two came forward and said, “This fellow said, ‘I’m able to destroy the Temple of God and rebuild it in three days!’”
The kohen gadol stood up and said to Yeshua, “Have You no answer? What’s this they’re testifying against You?”  
But Yeshua kept silent. Matthew 26:57, 59-63 TLV

And they led Jesus to the high priest. And all the chief priests and the elders and the scribes came together. …
Now the chief priests and the whole council were seeking testimony against Jesus to put Him to death, but they found none.  For many bore false witness against Him, but their testimony did not agree.  
And some stood up and bore false witness against Him, saying, “We heard him say, ‘I will destroy this temple that is made with hands, and in three days I will build another, not made with hands.’” 
Yet even about this their testimony did not agree.  
And the high priest stood up in the midst and asked Jesus, “Have you no answer to make? What is it that these men testify against you?” Mark 14:53, 55-61a ESV

And as the day came, the Council of elders of the people assembled, both chief priests and scribes, and they led Him away to their Sanhedrin… Luke 22:66 LSB

John obviously did not have access to these proceedings before the Sanhedrin, and so gives us no record of them, as he only recorded that which he witnessed personally.

Hold not thy peace, O God of my praise; For the mouth of the wicked and the mouth of the deceitful are opened against me: They have spoken against me with a lying tongue. They compassed me about also with words of hatred; And fought against me without a cause. For my love they are my adversaries: But I give myself unto prayer. And they have rewarded me evil for good, And hatred for my love. Set thou a wicked man over him: And let Satan stand at his right hand. When he shall be judged, let him be condemned: And let his prayer become sin. Let his days be few; And let another take his office. Psalm 109:1-8 KJV
(Peter would quote this last verse in Acts 1:20 for choosing another to take Judas’ place in the twelve).

Although our Saviour was falsely accused and slandered when He had done no wrong, said no wrong and thought no wrong, it is worth remembering when we are falsely accused that (as Spurgeon preached):
When I have been slandered, I have often said to myself, “Ah! they have spoken a
lie against me; but, if they had known me better, they might have said quite as bad
a thing as that, and yet have only spoken what was true.” There is not one man
living, who is in his right senses, who would like to have all his thoughts written
down, or all his words and acts recorded.
(The Spurgeon Library | Christ Before Annas)

The Mishnah, written around 200 A.D. to record the Oral Torah of second temple times and beyond, presented Jewish ideals of their legal system. Few legal systems live up to their ideals. According to the Mishnah, capital cases had to be decided by a Sanhedrin of 23 judges, a Great Sanhedrin of 71 judges for accusations such a false prophet. It is unclear whether Caiaphas convened the full Great Sanhedrin of 71 judges or just formed a Sanhedrin of 23 judges sympathetic to his cause for this hastily convened court at the crack of dawn for a capital case trial. He did what was needed to ensure the desired verdict.

The Sanhedrin were not to originate charges but only investigate those brought before it by at least two credible witnesses who had warned the perpetrator immediately prior to committing the act that it was a capital offense and whose testimony had to be in total agreement in every detail.  If the conviction in a capital case was unanimous but rendered too quickly the accused was acquitted on the assumption that the judges had not adequately considered the possibility of the defendant’s innocence.   The Mishna concludes that:

A Sanhedrin that executes a transgressor once in seven years is characterized as a destructive tribunal. Since the Sanhedrin would subject the testimony to exacting scrutiny, it was extremely rare for a defendant to be executed. Rabbi Elazar ben Azarya says: This categorization applies to a Sanhedrin that executes a transgressor once in seventy years. Rabbi Tarfon and Rabbi Akiva say: If we had been members of the Sanhedrin, we would have conducted trials in a manner whereby no person would have ever been executed. Mishna, Masechet Makkot, 1:10

The Talmud declares that “forty years before the destruction of the [Second] Temple, capital punishment ceased in Israel.“ This date is traditionally put at 28 A.D., a time that corresponds with the 18th year of Tiberius’ reign. From this time on, the Sanhedrin required the approval of the Roman governor of Judea (Pilate) before they could punish anyone by death, and only the Roman governor could order execution by the most shameful and cruel means – crucifixion.

These rushed proceedings to get Yeshua convicted and crucified while Pilate was in Jerusalem for Passover contravened Jewish law but those involved justified their unlawful actions on the basis of necessity.

The kohen gadol said to Him, “I charge You under oath by the living God, tell us if You are Mashiach Ben-Elohim!”
“As you have said,” replied Yeshua. “Besides that, I tell you, soon after you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of power and coming on the clouds of heaven.”
Then the kohen gadol tore his clothes and said, “Blasphemy! Why do we need any more witnesses? Look, you’ve heard the blasphemy.  What’s your verdict?”
“Guilty,” they answered. “He deserves death!”  Then they spat in His face and pounded Him with their fists. 
Others slapped Him and demanded, “Prophesy to us, you Messiah! Which one hit You?” Matthew 26:64-68 TLV

But He remained silent and made no answer. 
Again the high priest asked him, “Are you the Christ, the Son of the Blessed?” 
And Jesus said, “I am, and you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power, and coming with the clouds of heaven.”  
And the high priest tore his garments and said, “What further witnesses do we need?  You have heard His blasphemy. What is your decision?”
And they all condemned Him as deserving death. And some began to spit on Him and to cover His face and to strike Him, saying to him, “Prophesy!”
And the guards received Him with blows.
…And as soon as it was morning, the chief priests held a consultation with the elders and scribes and the whole council. Mark 14:61b-65, 15:1 ESV

…saying, “If You are the Christ, tell us.”
But He said to them, “If I tell you, you will not believe, and if I ask a question, you will not answer. But from now on the Son of Man will be seated at the right hand of the power of God.”
And they all said, “Are You the Son of God, then?”
And He said to them, “You yourselves say that I am.”
Then they said, “What further need do we have of testimony? For we have heard it ourselves from His own mouth.” Luke 22:67-71 LSB

When their witnesses proved to be false the only legal option was to acquit the accused. They were too heavily invested in Yeshua’s guilt to do that. A sense of urgency propelled them to have Him convicted and done away with NOW, before His popularity could grow any stronger or the cries of “hosannah to the son of David” grow any louder and threaten their good standing with Pilate. No one who was not appointed by Rome could have any position of leadership over the people. That’s why groups like the Essenes considered the Temple leadership and practices irredeemably corrupt.

Yeshua‘s reply: “you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of power and coming on the clouds of heaven” makes direct reference to Psalm 110:1 and Daniel 7:13. It would have left no doubt in the minds of Caiaphas or those on the council: Yeshua of Nazareth was claiming to be the eternal Messiah and Son of God. Instantly, they all condemned Him as deserving death and some of these judges on the Sanhedrin showed their disgust by spitting on Him, mocking Him and striking Him. Solemn court proceedings had degenerated into mob violence, and that carried out by the very judges themselves!

For this sentence to be carried out they had to take Yeshua to Pilate.

TRIAL BEFORE PILATE
When daybreak came, the ruling kohanim and elders of the people conspired against Yeshua to put Him to death.  And they tied Him up, led Him away, and handed Him over to Pilate, the governor.  … …
Now Yeshua stood before the governor. The governor questioned Him, saying, “Are You the King of the Jews?”
“You say so,” Yeshua said. 
 And while He was accused by the ruling kohanim and elders, He did not answer.
Then Pilate said to Him, “Don’t You hear how many things they testify against you?” 
Yeshua did not answer, not even one word, so the governor was greatly amazed.
Matthew 27:1-2, 11-14 TLV

And as soon as it was morning, the chief priests held a consultation with the elders and scribes and the whole council. And they bound Jesus and led him away and delivered him over to Pilate. 
And Pilate asked him, “Are you the King of the Jews?”
And he answered him, “You have said so.” 
And the chief priests accused him of many things. 
And Pilate again asked him, “Have you no answer to make? See how many charges they bring against you.” 
But Jesus made no further answer, so that Pilate was amazed. Mark 15:1-5 ESV

Then their whole assembly rose up and brought Him before Pilate. And they began to accuse Him, saying, “We found this man misleading our nation and forbidding to pay taxes to Caesar, and saying that He Himself is Christ, a King.”
So Pilate asked Him, saying, “Are You the King of the Jews?”
And He answered him and said, “You yourself say it.”
Then Pilate said to the chief priests and the crowds, “I find no guilt in this man.”
But they kept on insisting, saying, “He stirs up the people, teaching all over Judea, starting from Galilee even as far as this place.” Luke 23:1-5 LSB

Then they led Jesus from Caiaphas into the Praetorium, and it was early; and they themselves did not enter into the Praetorium so that they would not be defiled, but might eat the Passover. 
Therefore Pilate went out to them and said, “What accusation do you bring against this man?” 
They answered and said to him, “If this man were not an evildoer, we would not have delivered Him to you.” 
So Pilate said to them, “Take Him yourselves, and judge Him according to your law.”
The Jews said to him, “It is not lawful for us to put anyone to death,”  in order that the word of Jesus which He spoke would be fulfilled, signifying by what kind of death He was about to die.
Therefore Pilate entered again into the Praetorium, and summoned Jesus and said to Him, “Are You the King of the Jews?” 
 Jesus answered, “Are you saying this from yourself, or did others tell you about Me?” 
Pilate answered, “Am I a Jew? Your own nation and the chief priests delivered You to me; what did You do?” 
Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, then My servants would be fighting so that I would not be delivered over to the Jews; but as it is, My kingdom is not from here.” 
Therefore Pilate said to Him, “So You are a king?”
Jesus answered, “You yourself said I am a king. For this I have been born, and for this I have come into the world, to bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice.” 
Pilate said to Him, “What is truth? John 18:28-38a LSB

The Praetorium
The Praetorium was the residence of the Roman governor, and in the case of Judaea Province there was a Praetorium in both Caesarea and Jerusalem due to the Roman capital being at Caesarea, but the additional importance of maintaining a Roman presence in Jerusalem due to its place as the center of worship for Judaism. The structure “Praetorium” received its name from earlier Roman usage, originally identifying the tent of a general within a Roman encampment, and derived from the title praetor, which identified a Roman magistrate.
After Herod the Great’s death, the palace he had built for himself in Jerusalem was used as the Praetorium – official residence of the Roman governors when they came to Jerusalem during major Jewish festivals. When Herod’s son, Herod Antipas (also known as King Herod or Herod the Tetrarch – the ruler who imprisoned and then murdered John the Baptizer) was in Jerusalem for the feasts he also stayed in this palace – each of them occupying a wing of the palace with their entourage. It was the second most important building in Jerusalem, after the Temple itself, and was situated at the northwestern wall of the Upper City of Jerusalem. It rested on a series of retaining walls rising 13 to 16 feet above ground level and consisted of two main buildings, each with its own banquet halls, baths, and accommodations for hundreds of guests. In the center of the Praetorium were gardens with porticoes. The grounds included groves, canals, and ponds fitted with bronze fountains.

John, with his particular focus on all things priestly, notes for us that the contingent from the Sanhedrin did not go into the Praetorium because entering this Gentile area would have made them ceremonially unclean and thereby unable to eat their Passover meal that evening. With Pilate’s history of brutally crushing any dissent or perceived threat to Rome’s absolute rule it is interesting that he shows any reticence to rubber stamping the Sanhedrin‘s verdict and executing this usurper who seemed so little moved by Rome’s power. He was used to men pleading or cursing, but this man did neither, showed neither fear nor disrespect but a quiet confidence that everything was going to some plan that Pilate could not grasp.

BEFORE HEROD
Now when Pilate heard this, he asked whether the man was a Galilean. And when he learned that He belonged to Herod’s jurisdiction, he sent Him to Herod, who himself also was in Jerusalem in those days.
Now when Herod saw Jesus, he rejoiced greatly; for he had wanted to see Him for a long time, because he had been hearing about Him and was hoping to see some sign performed by Him. And he questioned Him at some length, but He answered him nothing.
And the chief priests and the scribes were standing there, vehemently accusing Him.
And Herod with his soldiers, after treating Him with contempt and mocking Him, dressed Him in a bright robe and sent Him back to Pilate.
Now Herod and Pilate became friends with one another that very day; for before they had been at enmity with each other. Luke 23:6-12 LSB

He was oppressed and afflicted,
    yet He did not open His mouth;
He was led like a lamb to the slaughter,
    and as a sheep before its shearers is silent,
    so He did not open His mouth.
By oppression and judgment He was taken away.
    Yet who of His generation protested?
For He was cut off from the land of the living;
    for the transgression of my people He was punished.
Isaiah 53:7-8 NIV

Yeshua was sent from one side of the palace to the other, from Pilate to Herod, and a friendship was born. The chief priests and scribes from the Sanhedrin followed His across to continue with their accusations and determination that the death penalty be applied before time ran out and the Passover was upon them. Herod had feared that somehow Yeshua might be a reincarnation of Yohanan the Immerser, whom he had imprisoned and then, at the insistence of his stepdaughter, murdered. Herod had enjoyed many a long and deep theological discussion with Yohanan, but Yeshua would say nothing to him, nothing! Relieved that Yeshua was clearly not Yohanan, Herod quickly tired of this sport, and sent him back to Pilate. With this political maneuver Pilate had gained an important ally in his efforts to govern these strange, stubborn people whose ways were so different to those of other groups in the Roman Empire with their insistence on only one God and vehement rejection of every Roman god, including Emperor worship.

Reference List

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6. Messianic Jewish and Christian scholars. Holy Scriptures Tree of Life Version (TLV). s.l. : Baker Books.
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8. Bible Commentaries. John 18:13. Bible Hub. [Online] [Cited: January 20th, 2024.] https://biblehub.com/commentaries/john/18-13.htm.
9. Contributors. What is the significance of the young man who runs away naked in Mark’s gospel? Biblical Hermeneutics. [Online] [Cited: January 13th, 2024.] https://hermeneutics.stackexchange.com/questions/4826/what-is-the-significance-of-the-young-man-who-runs-away-naked-in-marks-gospel.
10. Kuruvilla, Abraham. Who Was That Young Man? Voice . [Online] December 30th, 2013. https://voice.dts.edu/article/who-was-that-young-man-kuruvilla-abraham/.
11. Bilkes, Gerald M. The Healing of Malchus’s Ear. Christian Study Library. [Online] [Cited: January 20th, 2024.] https://www.christianstudylibrary.org/article/healing-malchus%E2%80%99s-ear.
12. Webmaster. Why Was Jesus’ Trial Illegal? Bible Verse Study. [Online] [Cited: January 20th, 2024.] https://www.biblestudy.org/basicart/the-trial-of-jesus.html.
13. Rajkumar, Paul. Who’s in the Dock? A Lawyer looks at the Trial of Jesus. Bible & Theology. [Online] July 18th, 2022. https://au.thegospelcoalition.org/article/whos-in-the-dock-a-lawyer-looks-at-the-trial-of-jesus/.
14. Linder, Professor Douglas O. The Trial of Jesus: An Account. Famous Trials. [Online] [Cited: January 20th, 2024.] https://www.famous-trials.com/jesustrial/1042-home.
15. Nydam, Don. A Lawyer Looks At Trials Of Jesus. Sermons . [Online] [Cited: January 20th, 2024.] https://sermons.logos.com/sermons/36135-a-lawyer-looks-at-trials-of-jesus?sso=false.
16. Williamson, Stephen. Timeline of the Last Supper, Jesus’s Arrest and the Crucifixion. SWCS. [Online] [Cited: January 20th, 2024.] https://www.swcs.com.au/crucifixion.htm.
17. Webmaster. The Arrest of Jesus. Bible Study. [Online] [Cited: January 20th, 2024.] https://www.biblestudy.org/basicart/the-arrest-of-jesus.html.
18. NASEC, Thayer’s, Strong’s & Englishman’s. 4616. sindón. Bible Hub. [Online] [Cited: January 13th, 2024.] https://biblehub.com/greek/4616.htm.
19. Fillion, L. C. The Life of Christ: A Historical, Critical, and Apologetic Exposition, Volume III. s.l. : Herder Book Co., 1929.
20. Rideout, Moshe. What Is The Definition Of Cohort In Ancient Rome. Ancient Rome. [Online] December 11th, 2023. https://www.learnancientrome.com/what-is-the-definition-of-cohort-in-ancient-rome/?expand_article=1.
21. NASEC, Thayer’s, Strong’s & Englishman’s. 3162. machaira. Bible Hub. [Online] [Cited: January 13th, 2024.] https://biblehub.com/greek/3162.htm.
22. Abbott, Shari. Jesus’ Last Days Timeline: the Cross and the Resurrection. Reasons for Hope* Jesus. [Online] [Cited: October 20th, 2023.] https://reasonsforhopejesus.com/jesus-last-days-timeline/.
23. —. Was Jesus Crucified on Wednesday, Thursday, or Friday? Reasons for Hope* Jesus. [Online] [Cited: October 20th, 2023.] https://reasonsforhopejesus.com/crucified/.
24. Bible Study Webmaster. Last Days of Jesus Timeline. Bible Study. [Online] [Cited: October 20th, 2023.] https://www.biblestudy.org/maps/last-days-of-jesus-timeline.html.
25. Jews for Jesus. Jesus’ Last Week Leading Up to Passover: A Day-by-Day Look. Jews for Jesus. [Online] March 09, 2011. https://jewsforjesus.org/learn/jesus-last-week-leading-up-to-passover-a-day-by-day-look.
26. Köstenberger, Andreas. April 3, AD 33: Why We Believe We Can Know the Exact Date Jesus Died. Centre for Biblical Studies. [Online] April 8th, 2020. https://cbs.mbts.edu/2020/04/08/april-3-ad-33-why-we-believe-we-can-know-the-exact-date-jesus-died/.
27. Hunt, Michal E. Jesus’ Last Week in Jerusalem. Agape Bible Study. [Online] [Cited: October 20th, 2023.] https://www.agapebiblestudy.com/documents/Jesus%20Last%20Week%20in%20Jerusalem.htm.
28. Bond, Helen K. All you ever wanted to know about Jesus’ last week on earth. Brainstorm. [Online] April 9th, 2020. https://www.rte.ie/brainstorm/2020/0408/950906-all-you-ever-wanted-to-know-about-jesus-last-week-on-earth/#:~:text=The%20evangelist%20says%20that%20Jesus,disciples%20(Monday%2FTuesday)..
29. Forbes, Peter. The Last Week Of Jesus’ Life. Bible Study Manuals. [Online] May 1999. https://www.biblestudymanuals.net/last_week_of_Jesus_life.htm.
30. Blue Letter Bible Minister. Christ :: The Three Days and the Three Nights. Blue Letter Bible. [Online] [Cited: October 20th, 2023.] https://www.blueletterbible.org/faq/crux.cfm.
31. Bible Info staff. Was Jesus in the tomb for three days and three nights? Bible Info. [Online] [Cited: October 20th, 2023.] https://www.bibleinfo.com/en/questions/jesus-in-tomb-for-three-days-nights#.
32. ‘Dating the Death of Jesus’: Memory and the Religious Imagination. Bond, Helen. 04, s.l. : New Testament Studies, 2013, Vol. 59. 461-475doii: 10.1017/S0028688513000131.
33. Bookman, Doug. A time line and chronology of the Easter Passion Week that includes Gregorian dates, First Century Jewish day/night cycles, and Galilean Jew cycles. Christianity. [Online] June 19th, 2023. https://www.christianity.com/wiki/holidays/a-time-line-of-the-passion-week.html.
34. Brannan, Rick. The Last Week of Jesus’ Life on Earth: a Closer Look. Logos. [Online] April 3rd, 2012. https://www.logos.com/grow/jesus-final-week-a-closer-look/.
35. Lacey, Troy. How Many Times Was Jesus Anointed? Answers in Genesis. [Online] May 14th, 2019. https://answersingenesis.org/contradictions-in-the-bible/how-many-times-was-jesus-anointed/.
36. Wilson, Larry W. Chronology of the Crucifixion Week. Wake Up Am erica Seminars. [Online] March 14th, 2000. https://wake-up.org/time-periods/passover-week-chronology.html.
37. Smith, Pete. Chronology & Synopsis of the Passion Week. Bible.org. [Online] February 25th, 2013. https://bible.org/article/chronology-synopsis-passion-week.
38. Renan, Ernest. Last Week of Jesus. The Life of Jesus. [Online] [Cited: October 21st, 32023.] https://biblehub.com/library/renan/the_life_of_jesus/chapter_xxiii_last_week_of.htm#1.
39. Farr, Stan. The Passover Lamb. Rabbi Yeshua. [Online] 2016. [Cited: October 21st, 2023.] https://rabbiyeshua.com/articles/passover-lamb.
40. MDiv, Rick Lanser. THE HEBREW CALENDAR OF THE SECOND TEMPLE ERA. The Shiloh Excavations. [Online] March 17th, 2023. https://biblearchaeology.org/abr-projects/the-daniel-9-24-27-project-2/5035-the-hebrew-calendar-of-the-second-temple-era.
41. Wight, Fred H. Water Supply. Manners and Customs of Bible Lands. [Online] [Cited: December 15th, 2023.] https://www.ancient-hebrew.org/manners/water-supply.htm.
42. Isaacs, Rabbi Ronald H. The Paschal Sacrifice (Korban Pesach) – Understanding how Passover was celebrated in Biblical Times. My Jewish Learning. [Online] [Cited: December 26th, 2023.] https://www.myjewishlearning.com/article/passover-from-the-bible-to-the-temples/.
43. Spurgeon, Charles Haddon. Christ Before Annas. The Spurgeon Center for Biblical Preaching at Midwestern Seminary. [Online] October 26th, 1882. https://www.spurgeon.org/resource-library/sermons/christ-before-annas/#flipbook/.
44. Gniwisch, Leibel. The High Priest in Jewish Tradition. Chabad. [Online] [Cited: January 20th, 2024.] https://www.chabad.org/library/article_cdo/aid/4195084/jewish/The-High-Priest-in-Jewish-Tradition.htm#High.
45. Got Questions. Who was Annas in the Bible? gotquestions.org. [Online] [Cited: January 20th, 2024.] https://www.gotquestions.org/Annas-in-the-Bible.html.
46. Webmaster. New Testament High Priests Timeline. Bible Study. [Online] [Cited: January 20th, 2024.] https://www.biblestudy.org/maturart/new-testament-high-priests.html.
47. Rhodes, Harold. 10 Reasons the Trial of Jesus Was Illegal. Life, Hope & Truth. [Online] [Cited: January 26th, 2024.] https://lifehopeandtruth.com/god/who-is-jesus/reasons-trial-of-jesus-illegal/.
48. Bock, Darrell L. Jesus V. Sanhedrin – Why Jesus “lost” his trial. Christianity Today. [Online] April 6th, 1998. https://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/1998/april6/jesus-v-sanhedrin.html.
49. Smith, Mark D. The Final Days of Jesus and the Realities of Roman Capital Punishment: What Happened to All Those Bodies? The Bible and Interpretation. [Online] February 2018. https://bibleinterp.arizona.edu/articles/2018/02/smi428014.
50. My Jewish Learning. The Death Penalty in Jewish Tradition. My Jewish Learning. [Online] [Cited: January 29th, 2024.] https://www.myjewishlearning.com/article/the-death-penalty-in-jewish-tradition/.
51. Eisenberg, Ronald L. Beit Dins and Sanhedrin – In the Second Temple period, a system of Jewish courts emerged. My Jewish Learning. [Online] [Cited: January 29th, 2024.] https://www.myjewishlearning.com/article/beit-din/.
52. Spurgeon, Charles Haddon. Christ before Annas. Spurgeon Library. [Online] October 26th, 1882. https://www.spurgeon.org/resource-library/sermons/christ-before-annas/#flipbook/.
53. Kennedy, Titus. The Praetorium of Pilate. Drive thru History. [Online] July 14th, 2020. https://drivethruhistory.com/the-praetorium-of-pilate/.

In the comments section below share your thoughts on what you have read and answer some of the following questions…

* Have you ever been falsely accused, and what can we learn from how Jesus responded?
* What problems arose from the High Priests also taking political power?
* What can we learn from Peter’s denials?
* Why do you think many Jews considered the High Priesthood of Jesus’ day to be corrupt?
* What do you think of Jesus’ trial before the Sanhedrin?
* What did Jesus’ hearing before Pilate and before Herod prove?