The Trial of the King

Trial in the Court of Caiaphas (57-68)

False Testimony (57-63)

Sanhedrin—Supreme Court of Jews, 71 members, High Priest was the Chief Justice, 23 was a quorum, criminal cases were required to be tried during the daytime, could not happen during a feast or Sabbath, all guilty verdicts must wait until the next day, trial must take place at their in their Hall of Hewn Stone near the Temple, 2 non contradicting witnesses were required to establish a fact, false witnesses could be punished by death, evidence of innocence must be presented first before any evidence of guilt.

“Private murder by burning enemies” of an innocent man.

Motive of Testimony (59)

Matthew 26:59 NASB95

59 Now the chief priests and the whole Council kept trying to obtain false testimony against Jesus, so that they might put Him to death.

John 11:47–53 NASB95

47 Therefore the chief priests and the Pharisees convened a council, and were saying, “What are we doing? For this man is performing many signs. 48 “If we let Him go on like this, all men will believe in Him, and the Romans will come and take away both our place and our nation.” 49 But one of them, Caiaphas, who was high priest that year, said to them, “You know nothing at all, 50 nor do you take into account that it is expedient for you that one man die for the people, and that the whole nation not perish.” 51 Now he did not say this on his own initiative, but being high priest that year, he prophesied that Jesus was going to die for the nation, 52 and not for the nation only, but in order that He might also gather together into one the children of God who are scattered abroad. 53 So from that day on they planned together to kill Him.

Disagreeable Testimony (60)

Matthew 26:60 NASB95

60 They did not find any, even though many false witnesses came forward. But later on two came forward,

Agreeable Testimony (61-62)

Matthew 26:61–62 NASB95

61 and said, “This man stated, ‘I am able to destroy the temple of God and to rebuild it in three days.’ ” 62 The high priest stood up and said to Him, “Do You not answer? What is it that these men are testifying against You?”

Silent Response (63)

Matthew 26:63 NASB95

63 But Jesus kept silent. And the high priest said to Him, “I adjure You by the living God, that You tell us whether You are the Christ, the Son of God.”

True Confession (63-64)

Matthew 26:63–64 NASB95

63 But Jesus kept silent. And the high priest said to Him, “I adjure You by the living God, that You tell us whether You are the Christ, the Son of God.” 64 Jesus said to him, “You have said it yourself; nevertheless I tell you, hereafter you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of Power, and coming on the clouds of heaven.”

Daniel 7:13–14 NASB95

13 “I kept looking in the night visions, And behold, with the clouds of heaven One like a Son of Man was coming, And He came up to the Ancient of Days And was presented before Him. 14 “And to Him was given dominion, Glory and a kingdom, That all the peoples, nations and men of every language Might serve Him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion Which will not pass away; And His kingdom is one Which will not be destroyed.

He was claiming to be one who Daniel saw in his vision of God in human form. This King was destined to rule in a glorious kingdom over the whole earth that would never end. He was claiming absolute sovereignty, omnipotence, and eternal. Jesus claimed to be God!

Jesus cannot just be a good teacher. Good teachers don’t claim to be God.

False Verdict (65-68)

Matthew 26:65–68 NASB95

65 Then the high priest tore his robes and said, “He has blasphemed! What further need do we have of witnesses? Behold, you have now heard the blasphemy; 66 what do you think?” They answered, “He deserves death!” 67 Then they spat in His face and beat Him with their fists; and others slapped Him, 68 and said, “Prophesy to us, You Christ; who is the one who hit You?”

They demanded prophesy from Jesus like he was a performing monkey or a sideshow magician. But outside in the courtyard, Peter was denying Jesus just as Jesus said he would. They probably didn’t even notice the rooster’s crow, but if they had known, they would have perceived that a true prophet was huddled in a bloody pool before them.

Man with 2 hairs. He cared for those 2 hairs and groomed them meticulously. He woke up one morning and they fallen to his pillow. Seeing them he said, “Oh no, I’m bald!” —Some people can be so blind. Caiaphas was blind to the truth that was right in front of Him.

Why did Jesus do it? Why didn’t He defend Himself? For us! Jesus was found guilty in our place. We are the blasphemers deserving of death. Jesus endured all of this for the glory of his Father and the redemption of human beings who believe in Him.