Mark: Jesus before the Sanhedrin [Mark 14:53-65]

Mark: Jesus before the Sanhedrin []

There are places in the bible that many of us are very familiar with, the arrest, trial, and death of Jesus represent some of those familiar passages. But even if we are very familiar with them it does us well to reread them carefully again, and see if there is anything we missed. As I mulled over these verses, I was reminded of Christ great love for me, and the humiliation and injustice He took in my place and in your place. Never go over God’s word with the mindset of, “I’ve heard that before.” Come to His word with a heart to see God’s majesty, love, mercy, and grace revealed. If we come to God’s word humbly, He will reveal Himself to us in exciting ways.

Stand for the reading of the word of God []

“Life is not fair.” That’s a familiar Proverb many of us have heard from somewhere. Maybe our parents, friends, or even our boss may have told us this before. But as much as we don’t like that saying we know it’s often true. In the case of our Savior, not only was life unfair: His final hours were unjust and illegal.

Jesus endured six hearings in a matter of hours-three ecclesiastical trials before the Jewish religious authorities and three civil trials before the Roman political authorities [; ; ; ].

It’s actually difficult to count up all the violations of Jewish law in these trials. Here’s examples of a few, in a capital case like Jesus’, trials at night were forbidden. In cases where a guilty verdict was reached, a second day and session were required to ensure a fair trial. Such a trial should not convene on a Sabbath or festival. A charge of blasphemy could not be sustained unless the defendant cursed God’s name, and then the penalty was to be death by stoning, not crucifixion. In Jesus’ case no formal meeting of the Sanhedrin ever took place in the temple precincts, which was the proper location for a trial. Nor was Jesus provided or even offered a defense attorney.

While the Jewish leaders had their explanation of these violations one can see these leaders were motivated by expediency and hatred. The proper judicial procedure was of little concern to them when they hour demanded quick action. When there is a will to quickly remove an undesirable enemy, a way will be found. Religious and political authorities will conspire to put Jesus to death.

With that in mind, Let’s expound on our text, look with me in verse 53-54

Jesus taken to the Sanhedrin []

Read verse 53-54 again

1. The Sanhedrin was made up of 70 priest, elders, and scribes…plus the High Priest. According to John’s gospel, Jesus was first taken to the former high priest Annas for a preliminary hearing. Annas was the father-in-law of the current High priest Joseph Caiaphas. While Caiaphas was the current high priest many believed Annas still ruled behind the scenes dictating to Caiaphas what to do. Annas had been removed from power by the Roman authorities, but he still had enormous influence.

Secondly, Jesus was taken to the current high priest Caiaphas and the Sanhedrin. The Sanhedrin was a group of 70 Jewish leaders made up of priests, elders, and scribes. With the high priest there were 71 total leaders who enforced Jewish law. Keep in mind these men were the educated, upstanding, religious leaders in the Jewish community…it’s important to keep that in mind as we see how they treat one of their own people. In typical Markan fashion, he gives us a little information and moves on to the next thing…verse 54...

2. Peter followed…but at a safe distance. Peter had not gone too far, he follows at a safe distance, perhaps hoping Jesus would do something to free himself of his captives. He follows them all the way into the high priests courtyard. Notice that detail from Mark, the Sanhedrin court was convened in the high priest backyard…this was not where they were supposed to be. They were supposed to be meeting in the temple precincts, but we can see the deceptiveness in the place of this gathering.

Now at least up to this point we should give Peter some credit, he has not completely abandoned Jesus…not yet anyway. There is something to his bravado after all, though it’s not enough to risk his own arrest. This leads us to points of application here.

Peter follows at a safe distance and he sits with the servants warming himself by the fire.

First, Peter follows, but at a safe distance. I wonder how many of us are just like Peter in this situation. Willing to follow Jesus as long as it’s safe, never getting to close to Jesus where we might be put in an unsafe or unstable situation. OK with following Jesus as long as it’s according to our way, but what if Jesus demands us to step out of our safe comfort zone?

If a believer is called into the mission field and God calls them to a not so safe place, and they have little children that may be at risk, don’t many Christians say, “that’s not a wise thing to do, that’s irresponsible to put your wife and children harms way...” But is it? Why is it we are interested in following Jesus only when it’s safe? Many believers around the world put their lives at risk just by claiming to be a Christian, yet in our society we play it safe in Jesus name.

Maybe not so extreme of an example, we’re willing to follow and serve Jesus when it is convenient for us, what if it takes away from what you want to do? what if I serve and don’t get any recognition for it? What if I serve and don’t get any thanks for it? So what? Who are you following and why? Do you seek the glory of God or the praise of man?

I thought about this event and Peter sitting among the servants warming himself, and I thought that’s just like many in our churches today, just kinda there in the midst of things, close to where Jesus is but not really interested in doing anything or risking anything for Jesus. Friends, we need to repent and turn from this way, if Jesus willing laid down His life for you and I, then why are we so reluctant to take risks for Him?

The quest for witnesses against Jesus []

1. The verdict was decided before the trial. As the unjust illegal trial was underway, the religious leaders attempted to find witnesses against Jesus. Notice what Mark points out for us, read verse 55. “sought for a witness against Jesus to put him to death.” The verdict was decided before the trial even began. This kangaroo court of religious hypocrites did everything backwards, they tried to find witnesses to fit the verdict they had already determined. There is nothing just or legitimate about these proceedings.

They wanted Jesus put to death, for that they would need the sentence of the Roman governor, consequently, to get that verdict they would need some sort of witness and testimony of a crime they could lay before Pilate, the Roman governor at that time.

2. Many gave false witness…but not consistent. Witnesses against Jesus were brought forward, but they gave false testimony, the problem was they could not find any witnesses that had consistent stories. According to the Mosaic Law, they needed two or more witnesses to agree in order to find someone guilty [; ;] If the witnesses depositions differed one from the other even in trivial details, they were inadmissible as evidence. But with false witnesses there was no consistency. That’s the thing about lies, it’s hard to be consistent with your story if you’re constantly making up things. I’ll come back to that in a second.

3. Some misconstrued Jesus’ words…but still inconsistent. They were unable to find two witnesses that could collaborate. So if you can’t get the story straight you misconstrue the persons words. And that’s what they tried to do. they said, read verse 58. Well this seemed to have some promise in it, after all throughout the Graeco-Roman world the destruction or desecration of places of worship was regarded as a capital offense. But they couldn’t even get their story straight on this either.

Jesus had said something similar to this in , Jesus said ‘destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.” Jesus was speaking metaphorically about his own body. This failed to stick as well due to the inconsistent nature of the witnesses.

Application: This leaves us to ask ourselves…how is our witness? Are we truthful? You’ve heard it said, “it’s just a little white lie” but one lie leads to another to another till you can’t remember what the truth was. Peter is about to get himself into a corner of lies as he denies knowing Jesus. Friends it’s much easier to keep track of the truth that it is to keep track of your lies.

You might say, “I’m a Christian, I don’t lie.” You don’t? You don’t make stories, even if they are true, a little better by fabricating things to make it more interesting? I’m a hunter and a fisherman…I know all about these kinds of fabrications! It was this big! [show hands]

The High Priest’s questioning and Jesus’ response []

1. The High Priest was frustrated at Jesus lack of defense. The high priest frustrated at the failure to obtain the testimony they desired arose and questioned Jesus directly. Probing and pushing Jesus hoping He would say something to incriminate Himself. The trial had not gone as planned, the case is unraveling and headed for disaster from the perspective of the religious leaders. So any type of impartiality, or illusion of that flies out the door.

Caiaphas, the high priest, is trying to push Jesus… “don’t you have anything to say against all these accusations?” If they could just get Jesus to respond they might have some thing to use… but Jesus said nothing. This actually fulfills what the scripture said about Jesus in ; He was oppressed and afflicted yet he opened not His mouth.

What a great lesson for us right, sometimes we just need to not say anything. We live in a day where everyone has an opinion and a platform to express it…but sometimes not to say anything at all is best. I have to be completely honest, the other day I was looking at Facebook when I saw someones opinion about something that I did not agree with and I got on there and started to type in a comment, when this verse popped into my mind, and Jesus opened not His mouth. So I hit the back button till the comment was gone and I moved on…sometimes that’s what we need to do.

After Jesus is silent the high priest, full of frustration, says...

2. “are you the Christ, the Son of the Blessed?”. Christ is Messiah or savior, God’s chose anointed one…blessed one is a title for God in the OT ; . Here’s the irony of this question. from the mouth of His accuser comes the very full proclamation of who Jesus is.

As Edwards puts it in his commentary. “The effect is to put a full christological confession into the mouth of the high priest! His arch-prosecutor confesses his name! How ironic that in the Gospel of Mark the two most complete christological confessions from humans occur from the mouth of those responsible for His death. The high priest in and the Roman centurion at the cross in who says surely this is the Son of God.

3. Jesus said, “I AM…and you will see the Son of Man in power and glory.” Numerous times in Mark’s gospel Jesus asked those who followed Him and those He healed to remain silent concerning His identity. This is what theologians call the “messianic secret” but now that has come to an end. Called, under oath. to bear witness to His true identity and Jesus openly affirms the truth… I AM the Messiah, the Christ, the anointed one. but Jesus also affirms He is the Son of Man Daniel spoke of in His prophecy. Jesus weds with in identifying Himself as the Messiah and God’s Son. Something the Jews of Jesus day did not expect.

Jesus says, basically, Today I stand before you, but there is coming a day when you will stand before me in final judgment! A great reversal is coming!

Jesus condemnation []

1. No more witnesses needed??? Jesus words set of the high priest in an uproar of self-righteous indignation. The high priest tore his clothes, which had been a sign of grieving but had been warped to show great indignation. The high priest said, “no more witnesses are needed.” [laugh] They haven’t had a good witnesses yet, the irony here right, the only person to tell the truth here is Jesus and they condemn Him for it. Doesn’t that strike you as ironic. There is some truth to what the high priest says, Jesus is the only witness you need.

The high priest’s mind was made up before hand, the truth will not persuade him against what he already has determined to be true. He’s like my mind is made up about Jesus don’t confuse me with any facts. I use to work with a guy who knew I was a Christian who told me he was an atheist and he did not want to here anything I had to say about Jesus, he was not willing to listen or have any discussion at all…his mindset was, “my mind is made up no further discussion is necessary.”

The high priest considered what Jesus said to be blasphemy, blasphemy means to speak ill of, slander, or defame God.

2. The condemnation…blasphemy…the sentence…death. The high priest considered what Jesus said to be blasphemy, blasphemy means to speak ill of, slander, or defame God. They found Him guilty and sentenced Him to death. They would have to seek the approving judgment of the Roman governor for that sentence, but they had no doubt Jesus was guilty.

3. Jesus is spit on, blindfolded, and beaten. Then things go from bad to just ugly. They began to spit on Him, an act of insulting then and that has not changed. they covered his face, blindfolding him for further mockery and began to beat Him. Luke and John tell us they began to play a game with Jesus by hitting Him as He was blindfolded and saying ‘prophecy who hit you’ If you’re the Messiah ‘prophecy’ who it was that hit you.

The irony of it is, Jesus did prophecy this very thing would happen, Jesus said I would be handed over to the leaders, treated unjustly, beaten, and sentenced to death. The cruelty and unjust behavior done to Him was not returned by Jesus, in fact He didn’t protest a bit. The temple guards took Jesus and joined the party, they began to beat the innocent, kind, loving man who, says, went about doing good and healing all where under the tyranny of the Devil, because God was with Him. It is hard to put into words the injustice that took place in this trial.

Just think for a moment who it is doing this to Jesus, it’s the university people, the leaders of the community, the upstanding citizens in the Jewish community. This it not some sort of prison folk, this is the good people doing this to Jesus. This should speak to us that no matter what your social status is in the community, we are all capable of the vilest of evil and are desperately in need of saving.

But I want us to remember why Jesus went through this…so you and I wouldn’t have to. The key to the gospel is Christ in my place. As I said at the beginning, we shouldn’t get too familiar with certain passages that we don’t revisit them often. As hard as it is to look at…Jesus endured the shame and rejection and cruel treatment for you and me. Christ gave up His life on the cross to satisfy the full wrath of God upon the sin of the world. Jesus did this for you and me.

If you have never received Jesus as Lord and Savior repent and believe today.