Jesus Betrayed and On Trial
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Jesus has just spent the last few hours with His disciples, eating the passover meal, establishing the Lord’s supper, and them talking with them about His need to leave them.
1 “Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. 2 In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also. 4 And you know the way to where I am going.” 5 Thomas said to him, “Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?” 6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
Jesus prayed over the disciples and then they went out to the Garden of Gethsemane where Jesus agonized over what was to come. Yes, the cross, but more importantly and more painfully the separation from the Father.
Jesus had informed the 11 disciples that they would all fall away from Him because of Him, and of course, like faithful loyal disciples and friends, they all told him it wouldn’t happen. All of them did.
Today we will be covering Jesus betrayal. We’ve been building up to this point and its the point we’ve all known is coming. This passage contains some of the most loving and at the same time some of the most horrible and unloving words in the entire Bible.
The Betrayer Comes
The Betrayer Comes
47 While he was still speaking, Judas came, one of the twelve, and with him a great crowd with swords and clubs, from the chief priests and the elders of the people.
“Those skilled in the Jewish learning tell us, that the ordinary guard of the temple belonged to the priests, and such officers as they employed; but upon their great festivals, the Roman governors added a band of soldiers, who yet were under the command of the priests.” (Poole)
They obviously saw Jesus as a dangerous threat. They obviously missed all the prophecies foretelling of the Messiah’s ultimate purpose and that He, being God in the flesh, would never stray from achieving that ultimate purpose.
This great crowd was also a fulfillment of what Jesus had prophetically predicted.
18 “See, we are going up to Jerusalem. And the Son of Man will be delivered over to the chief priests and scribes, and they will condemn him to death 19 and deliver him over to the Gentiles to be mocked and flogged and crucified, and he will be raised on the third day.”
It had to happen because Jesus said it would happen!
48 Now the betrayer had given them a sign, saying, “The one I will kiss is the man; seize him.” 49 And he came up to Jesus at once and said, “Greetings, Rabbi!” And he kissed him. 50 Jesus said to him, “Friend, do what you came to do.” Then they came up and laid hands on Jesus and seized him.
Judas warmly greeted Jesus, even giving Him the customary kiss. But the kiss only precisely identified Jesus to the authorities who came to arrest Jesus. There are no more hollow, hurtful, and hypocritical words in the Bible than “Greetings, Rabbi!” coming from the mouth of Judas. Then the most loving, heartfelt words of Jesus — calling Judas “Friend” — How sharply these stand in contrast to one another.
Compare Judas Kiss with the kiss of the prostitute at Simon’s home in Luke 7. Both kisses were with strong emotion. One could have died for Him and yet the other betrays Him to death.
“This sign of Judas was typical of the way in which Jesus is generally betrayed. When men intend to undermine the inspiration of the Scriptures, how do they begin their books? Why, always with a declaration that they wish to promote the truth of Christ! Christ’s name is often slandered by those who make a loud profession of attachment to him, and then sin foully as the chief of transgressors.” (Spurgeon)
John records a little more of the dialog and the drama as it unfolded.
4 Then Jesus, knowing all that would happen to him, came forward and said to them, “Whom do you seek?” 5 They answered him, “Jesus of Nazareth.” Jesus said to them, “I am he.” Judas, who betrayed him, was standing with them. 6 When Jesus said to them, “I am he,” they drew back and fell to the ground. 7 So he asked them again, “Whom do you seek?” And they said, “Jesus of Nazareth.” 8 Jesus answered, “I told you that I am he. So, if you seek me, let these men go.” 9 This was to fulfill the word that he had spoken: “Of those whom you gave me I have lost not one.”
When Jesus declared His divine identity (in the words I am), Judas and soldiers all fell back. There was such a display of divine presence, majesty, and power in those two words that the enemies of Jesus were powerless to stand against Him.
“Our Lord chose to give them this proof of his infinite power, that they might know that their power could not prevail against him if he chose to exert his might, seeing that the very breath of his mouth confounded, drove back, and struck them down to the earth.” (Clarke)
Peter in his Flesh
Peter in his Flesh
51 And behold, one of those who were with Jesus stretched out his hand and drew his sword and struck the servant of the high priest and cut off his ear. 52 Then Jesus said to him, “Put your sword back into its place. For all who take the sword will perish by the sword. 53 Do you think that I cannot appeal to my Father, and he will at once send me more than twelve legions of angels? 54 But how then should the Scriptures be fulfilled, that it must be so?”
Here, although not named, we know that this is Peter who cut off the ear of the servant of the high priest. Peter once again is attempting to take matters into his own hands to try and overthrow the power of the sovereign God of the universe and His purpose for Jesus being arrested in the first place. IT’s possible that, here, Peter is attempting to prove to Jesus that he would go to his death before denying Jesus 3 times.
With one sword, Peter was willing to take on a small army of men, yet he couldn’t pray with Jesus for one hour. Prayer is the best work we can do, and often the most difficult.
“It would have been far better if Peter’s hands had been clasped in prayer.” (Spurgeon)
“A legion is judged to be six thousand foot soldiers and seven hundred horsemen. And this great army of angels is by prayer despatched from heaven in an instant.” (Trapp)
At the moment when it seemed that Jesus had nothing and no advantage, He knew that He still had a Father in heaven, and access to His Father and all His resources through prayer.
“But how then should the Scriptures be fulfilled, that IT MUST BE SO?”
All through Jesus’ ministry He put on full display his power, majesty, divinity, and full person. All that displayed so that those who wanted to see and know Him could and would do so. Even in His hour of being betrayed he would not deviate.
Proclaiming Himself by name and Position, “I AM”.
Not backing down from His betrayer but asking, “Friend, do what you have come to do.”
After everyone fell to the ground He asks, “Whom do you seek?” “If you seek me, then let these men go.”
Displaying all of the might and power of who He was and is, He never backed down from the opportunity to be obedient to the Father and therefore show His love to the Father.
With all power at His disposal, Jesus was in total command. He was not the victim of circumstance, but He managed circumstances for the fulfillment of prophecy.
55 At that hour Jesus said to the crowds, “Have you come out as against a robber, with swords and clubs to capture me? Day after day I sat in the temple teaching, and you did not seize me. 56 But all this has taken place that the Scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled.” Then all the disciples left him and fled.
Before Jesus came to the home of Caiaphas (the official high priest), He was led to the home of Annas, who was the ex-high priest and the “power behind the throne” of the high priest.
After the break of dawn, the Sanhedrin gathered again, this time in official session, and they conducted the trial described in Luke 22:66-71.
57 Then those who had seized Jesus led him to Caiaphas the high priest, where the scribes and the elders had gathered. 58 And Peter was following him at a distance, as far as the courtyard of the high priest, and going inside he sat with the guards to see the end. 59 Now the chief priests and the whole council were seeking false testimony against Jesus that they might put him to death, 60 but they found none, though many false witnesses came forward. At last two came forward 61 and said, “This man said, ‘I am able to destroy the temple of God, and to rebuild it in three days.’ ”
This nighttime trial was illegal according to the Sanhedrin’s own laws and regulations. According to Jewish law, all criminal trials must begin and end in the daylight. Therefore, though the decision to condemn Jesus was already made, they conducted a second trial in daylight (Luke 22:66-71), because they knew the first one — the real trial — had no legal standing. (GUZIK)
This was only one of many illegalities made in the trial of Jesus. According to Jewish law, only decisions made in the official meeting place were valid. The first trial was held at the home of Caiaphas, the high priest.
According to Jewish law, criminal cases could not be tried during the Passover season.
According to Jewish law, only an acquittal could be issued on the day of the trial. Guilty verdicts had to wait one night to allow for feelings of mercy to rise.
According to Jewish law, all evidence had to be guaranteed by two witnesses, who were separately examined and could not have contact with each other.
According to Jewish law, false witness was punishable by death. Nothing was done to the many false witnesses in Jesus’ trial.
According to Jewish law, a trial always began by bringing forth evidence for the innocence of the accused, before the evidence of guilt was offered. This was not the practice here.
So many things were not just done wrong but in complete contradiction to the laws of the Sanhedrin.
The council sought false testimony against Jesus to put Him to death, but found none: This is a remarkable testimony to the life and integrity of Jesus. For having lived such a public life and performed such a public ministry, it was difficult to find even false testimony against Him.
“This man said, ‘I am able to destroy the temple of God, and to rebuild it in three days.’: After all the false witnesses had their say, Jesus was finally charged with threatening to destroy the temple, something he’d actually done accept Jesus was referring to His own body and His resurrection three days later.
62 And the high priest stood up and said, “Have you no answer to make? What is it that these men testify against you?” 63 But Jesus remained silent. And the high priest said to him, “I adjure you by the living God, tell us if you are the Christ, the Son of God.” 64 Jesus said to him, “You have said so. But I tell you, from now on you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power and coming on the clouds of heaven.”
7 He was oppressed, and he was afflicted,
yet he opened not his mouth;
like a lamb that is led to the slaughter,
and like a sheep that before its shearers is silent,
so he opened not his mouth.
“I adjure you is a rare and formal expression (cf. 1 Kings 22:16 for a similar Old Testament formula), invoking the name of God in order to compel a true answer. This is therefore the climax of the hearing.” (France)
What was Jesus’ response. “You have said so” in other words, thanks for declaring who I am…I agree with you and so does the Father.
You will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Power: Jesus added this one word of warning. He warned them that though they sat in judgment of Him now, He would one day sit in judgment of them — and with a far more binding judgment.
Hereafter: “‘Hereafter!’ ‘Hereafter!’ Oh, when that hereafter comes, how overwhelming it will be to Jesus’ foes! Now where is Caiaphas? Will he now adjure the Lord to speak? Now, ye priests, lift up your haughty heads! Utter a sentence against him now! There sits, your victim upon the clouds of heaven. Say now that he blasphemes, and hold up your rent rags, and condemn him again. But where is Caiaphas? He hides his guilty head he is utterly confounded, and begs the mountains to fall upon him.” (Spurgeon)
Hand of “Power is a typically Jewish reverential expression to avoid pronouncing the sacred name of God (which might have laid Jesus open to the charge of blasphemy, though ironically it was precisely that charge on which he was condemned, Matthew 26:65!).” (France)
65 Then the high priest tore his robes and said, “He has uttered blasphemy. What further witnesses do we need? You have now heard his blasphemy. 66 What is your judgment?” They answered, “He deserves death.” 67 Then they spit in his face and struck him. And some slapped him, 68 saying, “Prophesy to us, you Christ! Who is it that struck you?”
As these religious leaders vented their hatred, fear, and anger upon Jesus, spitting in His face and beating Him, it was remarkable that the immediate judgment of God did not rain down from heaven. It was remarkable that a legion of angels did not spring to the defense of Jesus. This shows the amazing forbearance towards sin that God has, and the staggering riches of His mercy. (GUZIK)
“As one reads this story one wonders more and more at the greatest miracle of all, the patient suffering of the spotless One.” (Morgan)
22 What if God, desiring to show his wrath and to make known his power, has endured with much patience vessels of wrath prepared for destruction, 23 in order to make known the riches of his glory for vessels of mercy, which he has prepared beforehand for glory— 24 even us whom he has called, not from the Jews only but also from the Gentiles? 25 As indeed he says in Hosea,
“Those who were not my people I will call ‘my people,’
and her who was not beloved I will call ‘beloved.’ ”
26 “And in the very place where it was said to them, ‘You are not my people,’
there they will be called ‘sons of the living God.’ ”
I don’t know about you, but the more I reflect on the “Long Suffering” of the Father, even Jesus patiently suffering and waiting for us, longing for us to come to Him, It speaks to me of a savior who’s deepest hearts desire is for us to choose Him and not the world. Not just to choose Him, but to know Him intimately.
Prayer
14 For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, 15 from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, 16 that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, 19 and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.
20 Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.