sf935 - Truth On Trial (Matthew 26 57-68)
Matthew 26:57-68
Introduction
The standard of Jewish justice
The Jews had always prided themselves on their sense of fairness and justice, and rightly so.
Deuteronomy 16:18-20 You shall appoint judges and officers in all your gates, which the LORD your God gives you, according to your tribes, and they shall judge the people with just judgment. 19 You shall not pervert justice; you shall not show partiality, nor take a bribe, for a bribe blinds the eyes of the wise and twists the words of the righteous. 20 You shall follow what is altogether just, that you may live and inherit the land which the LORD your God is giving you.
The system of Jewish justice
The council came to be known as a sanhedrin, from a Greek term (sunderion) that had been transliterated into Hebrew and Aramaic, as it now is into English. It literally means “sitting together.” A local sanhedrin was composed of up to 23 members, and the Great Sanhedrin in Jerusalem was composed of 70 chief priests, elders, and scribes, with the high priest making a total of 71.
The governing principle in capital cases was: “The Sanhedrin is to save, not destroy, life.”
It is obvious that, when properly administered, the Jewish system of justice was not only eminently fair but merciful.
The perversion of Jewish justice
The perversion of the office of Chief Priest
The politicizing of the members of the Sanhedrin
In today’s text we witness what happens when truth is on put on trial by ungodly men.
1A. The Shameful Event
1B. Jesus’ preliminary hearing (John 18:12-14; 19-23)
Annas
Ø He had served as High Priest (6-15 AD)
Ø He controlled the office of the High Priest (five of his sons or sons-in-law had served)
Ø He controlled all the commerce in and around the Temple.
Caiaphas
Ø Annas' son-in-law
Ø He is the official High Priest (18-36 AD)
The Examination
Ø Took place in the palace of the High Priest
Ø The questioning
They question Jesus about his disciples - what kind of men were they? (John 18:19) Jesus does not answer.
They question Jesus about his doctrine (John 18:19)
Jesus' response and the guard hits him (John 18:20-23)
2B. The illegal trial before the Sanhedrin (Matthew 26:57, 59-68)
The proceedings
Ø The witnesses could not agree on their stories. (Matthew 26:57, 59-61; Mark 14:53, 59-62; Luke 22:34; John 18:24)
Ø Jesus responds directly to the High Priest concerning His deity. (Matthew 26:62-66; Mark 14:60-64)
Ø Jesus is physically abused by the council (Matthew 26:67-68; Mark 14:65; Luke 22:63-65)
The illegal elements of the trial
Ø Illegal location it should have been in the Temple.
Ø Illegal hour
Ø Undue haste
Ø The witnesses had been recruited and bribed.
Ø They did not warn the witnesses of the seriousness of the trial.
Ø They forced the accused to witness against himself.
Ø The judicial use of the prisoner's confession
Ø Failure to release the prisoner when the witnesses failed to agree
Ø It was illegal to give a verdict on a capital case the same day as the trial.
3B. Jesus' formal condemnation (Matthew 27:1)
Time - this took place just after dawn
The jury was made up of 23 members of the Sanhedrin (of a 71 total members)
The charge of blasphemy
The verdict was death.
2A. Some Practical Lessons
1B. Beware of predetermined conclusions (26:59)
The Jewish authorities had already convicted Jesus before the first witness was called.
When we come to a matter with our minds made up we will manipulate the facts to fit our (wrong) conclusions.
2B. Beware of unreliable council (27:59-61)
Unreliable council depends on human wisdom (1 Corinthians 1:19-25)
Proverbs 9:10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.
Unreliable council will tell you only what you want to hear. (2 Timothy 4:3-4)
3B. Beware of hasty and emotional decisions (27:65-68)
These men were caught up in the emotions of the moment.
4B. Be careful to listen to and obey the truth (26:62-64)
Jesus is the personification of the truth of God (John 14:6)
Jesus is the incarnation of the Word of God (John 1:1, 14)
God’s Word, the Bible, is God’s chosen means to communicate the truth. (John 14:23-24)
The Holy Spirit is God’s chosen messenger to reveal the truth. (John 14:25-26)
Matthew 26:57-68
1A. The _________________________ Event
1B. Jesus’ preliminary hearing (John 18:12-14; 19-23)
Annas
Ø He had served as High Priest (6-15 AD)
The examination
Ø They question Jesus about his disciples - what kind of men were they? (John 18:19) Jesus does not answer.
Ø They question Jesus about his doctrine (John 18:19)
Ø Jesus' response and the guard hits him (John 18:20-23)
2B. The illegal trial before the Sanhedrin (Matthew 26:57, 59-68)
The proceedings
Ø The witnesses could not agree on their stories. (Matthew 26:57, 59-61; Mark 14:53, 59-62; Luke 22:34; John 18:24)
Ø Jesus responds directly to the High Priest concerning His deity. (Matthew 26:62-66; Mark 14:60-64)
Ø Jesus is physically abused by the council (Matthew 26:67-68; Mark 14:65; Luke 22:63-65)
The ___________________ elements of the trial
Ø Illegal location it should have been in the Temple.
Ø Illegal hour
Ø Undue haste
Ø The witnesses had been recruited and bribed.
Ø They did not warn the witnesses of the seriousness of the trial.
Ø They forced the accused to witness against himself.
Ø The judicial use of the prisoner's confession
Ø Failure to release the prisoner when the witnesses failed to agree
Ø It was illegal to give a verdict on a capital case the same day as the trial.
3B. Jesus' formal condemnation (Matthew 27:1)
2A. Some Practical Lessons
1B. Beware of predetermined conclusions (26:59)
When we come to a matter with our minds made up we will manipulate the facts to fit our (wrong) conclusions.
2B. Beware of _________________ council (27:59-61)
Unreliable council depends on human wisdom (1 Corinthians 1:19-25; Proverbs 9:10)
Unreliable council will tell you only what you want to hear. (2 Timothy 4:3-4)
3B. Beware of hasty and ________________ decisions (27:65-68)
4B. Be careful to listen to and obey the __________________ (26:62-64)
Jesus is the _________________ of the truth of God (John 14:6)
Jesus is the __________________________ of the Word of God (John 1:1, 14)
God’s Word, the Bible, is God’s chosen _____________ to communicate the truth. (John 14:23-24)
The Holy Spirit is God’s chosen ___________________ to reveal the truth. (John 14:25-26)