The Arrest And Trial Of Jesus
A kangaroo court is a sham court trial for the purpose of quickly finding a person guilty; the outcome of such a trial is essentially made in advance.
After Jesus was arrested, he was brought before the Sanhedrin, the Jewish ruling body. He had essentially two trials; one religious before the Sanhedrin, and one political before the Roman governor Pontius Pilate.
Before the religious court he was challenged about his claim to be the Messiah. He was charged with blasphemy.
Before the political or secular court he was interrogated about his claim to be a king and a threat to Caesar the king of the Roman empire.
Both of these trials resulted in the death of Jesus by crucifixion.
"They took Jesus to the high priest, and all the chief priests (former high priests), elders (heads of leading families) and teachers of the law (Scribes) came together." 14:53-54
"The chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin were looking for evidence against Jesus so that they could put him to death, but they did not find any. Many testified falsely against him, but their statements did not agree." v.55-56
The Sanhedrin was made up of 71 of Israel's religious leaders. Lead by the high priest Caiaphas. They were supposed to administer justice.
This amounted to the formal rejection of Jesus as Messiah reflected in the collective wish of the entire nation.
"He came to that which was his own, but his own
did not receive him." John 1:11
"The stone the builders rejected has become the capstone" Mk 12:10.
"They did not find any (evidence)." v.55. The same thing happens in his trial before Pilate, "I have found in him no grounds for the death penalty."
"Their statements did not agree" v.56
The Jewish law required complete agreement, "One witness is not enough to convict a man accused of any crime or offense he may have committed. A matter must be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses." Dt 19:15
"Then some stood up and gave this false testimony against him: "We heard him say, 'I will destroy this man-made temple and in three days will build another, not made by man.' Yet even then their testimony did not agree." v.57-58
Some tried to accuse Jesus of plotting to destroy the temple.
The accusation twisted Jesus is actual words. Jesus did not say, "I will destroy this man-made temple"
"Destroy this temple, and I will raise it again in three days.” The Jews replied, “It has taken forty-six years to build this temple, and you are going to raise it in three days?” But the temple he had spoken of was his body." Jn 2:19-21
"Then the high priest stood up before them and asked Jesus, “Are you not going to answer? What is this testimony that these men are bringing against you?” 61 But Jesus remained silent and gave no answer." v.60-61
An answer by Jesus would have given all the false testimonies and illegal proceedings an appearance of legitimacy. Not answering was wiser than trying to clarify the fabricated accusations.
"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 her shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth." Is 53:7
"Again the high priest asked him, “Are you the Christ (Messiah), the Son of the Blessed One (Son of God)?" "I am," said Jesus. "And you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand (place of highest honor) of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven (to judge)." The high priest tore his clothes. “Why do we need any more witnesses?” he asked. 64 “You have heard the blasphemy. What do you think?" v.61-63
King David, "The Lord (God almighty) says to my Lord (Messiah): “Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet.”" Ps 110:1
The only two questions Jesus was willing to respond to was when the high priest asked him, "Are you the Messiah" and when Pilate asked him "are you the king of the Jews."
Blasphemy was laying claim to deity. Naturally, this is the boast of a liar or lunatic -- unless he is the Almighty God in human flesh, as Jesus was.
"They all condemned him as worthy of death. Then some began to spit at him; they blindfolded him, struck him with their fists, and said, “Prophesy!” And the guards took him and beat him." v.64-65
For the Jews, to “spit” in another’s face was the grossest, most hateful form of personal insult
"Others slapped him and said, “Prophesy to us, Christ. Who hit you?" Matt 26:68
"Very early in the morning, the chief priests, with the elders, the teachers of the law and the whole Sanhedrin, reached a decision. They bound Jesus, led him away and handed him over to Pilate (governor of Judea)" v.15:1.
Rather than murdering Jesus privately, the Jewish politicians decided to seek Pilate's approval so they could execute him legally.
The Romans had taken away the Jews right to inflict capital punishment.
Pilate normally resided in Caesarea but was in Jerusalem to maintain control over the Jewish crowds at Passover.
"Are you the king of the Jews?” asked Pilate. “Yes, it is as you say,” Jesus replied." v.2
The only charge Pilate took seriously was that Jesus claimed to be a king, thus making him guilty of rebellion against Caesar and Rome.
This crime was punishable in the Roman empire by death.
Jesus admitted his claim to kingship, but he clarified what
kind of king he claimed to be.
"Jesus said, “My kingdom is not of this world. If it were, my servants would fight to prevent my arrest by the Jews. But now my kingdom is from another place." "You are a king, then!" said Pilate. Jesus answered, “You are right in saying I am a king. In fact, for this reason I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me. "What is truth?” Pilate asked" Jn 18:36-38
"The chief priests accused him of many things. So again Pilate asked him, “Aren’t you going to answer? See how many things they are accusing you of." v.3-4
"And they began to accuse him, saying, “We have found this man subverting our nation. He opposes payment of taxes to Caesar and claims to be Christ, a king. . . He stirs up the people all over Judea by his teaching." Lk 23:2 & 5
"But Jesus still made no reply, and Pilate was amazed" v.5.
"Do you refuse to speak to me?” Pilate said. “Don’t you realize I have power either to free you or to crucify you?” Jesus answered, “You would have no power over me if it were not given to you from above. Therefore the one who handed me over to you is guilty of a greater sin." Jn 19:10-11
"From then on, Pilate tried to set Jesus free, but the Jews kept shouting, “If you let this man go, you are no friend of Caesar. Anyone who claims to be a king opposes Caesar.”" Jn 19:12
"Now it was the custom at the (Passover) Feast to release a prisoner whom the people requested. A man called Barabbas was in prison with the insurrectionists who had committed murder (thief) in the uprising." v.6-7
To gain favor with the Jews and as a sign of good-will, it was the custom to release the people's favorite. These insurrectionists were Jews who apposed Roman rule. Many of them were probably supporters of Barabbas.
"The crowd came up and asked Pilate to do for them what he usually did. Do you want me to release to you the king of the Jews?” asked Pilate, 10 knowing it was out of envy that the chief priests had handed Jesus over to him. 11 But the chief priests stirred up the crowd to have Pilate release Barabbas instead." v.8-11
He wanted to provide an opportunity for the people to release Jesus: "Do you want me to release to you the king of the Jews?” Envy of the priests; jealousy over Jesus’s popularity with the people.
Pilate undoubtedly saw this annual custom as the way out of his dilemma regarding Jesus.
"What shall I do, then, with the one you call the king of the Jews?” Pilate asked them." v.12
"When he came near the place where the road goes down the Mount of Olives, the whole crowd of disciples began joyfully to praise God in loud voices for all the miracles they had seen: “Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord!” “Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!”" Lk 19:37-38
They turned against Jesus when they saw that he was not going to be an earthly conqueror and their deliverer from Rome.
"Crucify him!' they shouted." v.13
Crucifixion was the Roman penalty for rebellion. Only slaves and those who were not Roman citizens could be crucified.
This is just what the Jewish religious leaders wanted.
A public spectacle of torture was a potent deterrent to political opposition.
"Why? What crime has he committed?' asked Pilate." v.14
"While Pilate was sitting on the judge’s seat, his wife sent him this message: “Don’t have anything to do with that innocent man, for I have suffered a great deal today in a dream because of him.”" Mt 27:19
"You brought me this man as one who was inciting the people to rebellion. I have examined him in your presence and have found no basis for your charges against him. Neither has Herod, for he sent him back to us; as you can see, he has done nothing to deserve death." Lk 23:14-15
"Wanting to release Jesus, Pilate appealed to them again. But they kept shouting, “Crucify him! Crucify him!” For the third time he spoke to them: “Why? What crime has this man committed? I have found in him no grounds for the death penalty. Therefore I will have him punished and then release him." Lk 23:20-22
"But they shouted all the louder, “Crucify him!” Wanting to satisfy the crowd, Pilate released Barabbas to them. He had Jesus flogged, and handed him over to be crucified." v.15
"Wanting to satisfy the crowd"
His primary job was to keep peace. We know from historical records the Pilate had already been warned about other uprisings in his region.
Pilate's position as governor was now insecure, and he did not want the Jews to raise trouble for him that might reach the ears of the Emperor, Tiberias. For this reason, he reluctantly submitted to the demand of the Jews that Jesus be crucified.
"He had Jesus flogged, and handed him over to be crucified."
A wooden handle with leather straps attached. Tied to the straps were sharp pieces of bone and metal, which could rip and tear one's skin to shreds. Man died from a single flogging.
Pilate may have hoped that the Jews would give up demands for Jesus' crucifixion after this brutal beating.
"I have found in him no grounds for the death penalty. Therefore I will have him punished and then release him." Lk 23:22
"The soldiers twisted together a crown of thorns and put it on his head. They clothed him in a purple robe and went up to him again and again, saying, “Hail, king of the Jews!” And they struck him in the face." Jn 19:2-3