CHAPTER 127/Tried by the Sanhedrin, Then on to Pilate

 MATTHEW 27:1-11 MARK 15:1 LUKE 22:66-23:3 JOHN 18:28-35

. MORNING TRIAL BEFORE THE SANHEDRIN

. JUDAS ISCARIOT TRIES TO HANG HIMSELF

. JESUS IS SENT TO PILAT TO BE CONDEMNED

The night is drawing to a close when Peter denies Jesus for the third time. The members of the Sanhedrin have finished with their mock trial and have dispersed. Come dawn Friday morning, they reconvene, likely to give some cloak of legality to the illegal night trial. Jesus is brought before them. 

Next time: CHAPTER 127/Tried by the Sanhedrin, Then on to Pilate - Continue

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CHAPTER 126/Denials in the House of Caiaphas - Conclusion

 How could this happen? How could Peter -who was so certain of his spiritual strength and loyalty-deny his Master? Truth is being distorted, and Jesus is being depicted as a vile criminal. When Peter could have stood up for an innocent man, he turned his back on the very One who has "sayings of everlasting life." - JOHN 6:68. 

Peter's tragic experience shows that even a person of faith and devotion can be thrown off balance if he is not properly prepared for unexpected trial or temptations. May what Peter went through serve as a warning to all of God's servants.!

Next time: CHAPTER 127/Tried by the Sandhedrin, Then On to Pilate

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CHA[PTER 126/Denials in the House of Caiaphas - Continue

 Meanwhile, Jesus' trial is in progress, apparently in a part of Caiaphas' house that is above the courtyard. Peter and the others waiting below may see the comings and goings of various witnesses who are brough in to testify.

Peter's Galilean accent is an indication that his denial is false. Moreover, one in the group is related to Malchus, whose ear Peter cut off. So the charge is leveled against Peter: "I saw you in the garden with him, did I not?" When Peter denies this for a third time, a rooster crows, as was foretold. - JOHN 13:38; 18:26, 27.

At that point, Jesus is apparently on the balcony overlooking the courtyard. The Lord turns and looks straight at Peter, which must pierce Peter to the core. He recalls what Jesus said only a few hours earlier in the upper room. Imagine how Peter feels as the realization of what he has done crashed down on him! Peter goes outside and weeps bitterly.  LUKE 22:62, 62.

Next time: CHAPTER 126/Denials in the House of Caiaphas - Conclusion

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CHAPTER 126/Denials at the House of Caiaphas - Continue

 It is cold this night, so those in the courtyard have a charcoal fire burning. Peter sits with them to keep warm while he waits "to see the outcome" of Jesus' trial. (Matthew 26:58) Now, in the light of the fire, the doorkeeper who let Peter in gets a better look at him. "You are not also one this man's disciples, are you?" she demands. (John 18:17) And she is not alone in recognizing Peter and accusing him of being with Jesus.  - MATTHEW 26:69, 71-73; MARK 14:70. 

This greatly upsets Peter. He is trying to be inconspicuous, even withdrawing to the entryway. So Peter denies that he was with Jesus, at one point saying: "Neither do I know him nor do I understand what you are talking about."  (Mark 14:67, 68) He also starts to "curse and swear," meaning that he is willing to take an oath that his words are true and to face calamity if they are not. - MATTHEW 26:74. 

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CHAPTER 126/Denials at the House of Caiaphas

 MATTHEW 26:69-75 MARK 14:66-72 LUKE 22:54-62 JOHN 18:15-18, 25-27

. PETER DENIES JESUS

Upon Jesus being arrested in the Gethsemane, the apostles abandon him, fleeing in fear. However, two of them stop their flight. They are Peter "as well as another disciple," evidently the apostle John. (John 18:15; 19:35; 21:24) They may catch up with Jesus as he is taken to Annas. When Annas sends Jesus to High Priest Caiaphas, Peter and John follow at a distance. They are likely torn between their fear for their own lives and concern for what will happen to their Master. 

John is known to the high priest and is thus able to gain entrance into the courtyard at Caiaphas' house. Peter remains outside at the door until John returns and speaks to a servant girl who is acting as doorkeeper. Then Peter is allowed to enter.

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CHAPTER 125/Jesus Is Taken to Annas, Then to Caiaphas - Conclusion

 At this, Caiaphas with great drama rips his garments and exclaims: "He has blasphemed! What further proof need do we have of witnesses? The Sanhedrin had down the unjust judgment: "He deserves to die." - MATTHEW 26:65, 66. 

Then they began to mock Jesus and hit him with their fists. Others slap his face and spit into it. After they cover his whole face and slap him, they say sarcastically: "Prophesy! Who is it that struck you?" (Luke 22:64) Here is the Son of God being treated abusively at an illegal nighttime trial!

Next time: CHAPTER 126/Denials at The House of Caiaphas

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CHAPTER 125/Jesus Is taken to Annas, Then to Caiaphas - Continue

 'Caiaphas asks Jesus: "Do you say nothing in reply? What is it these men are testifying against you?" (Mark 14:60) Jesus remains silent in the face of this false charge made by witnesses whose stories disagree. So High Priest Caiaphas switches to a different tactic. 

Caiaphas knows that the Jews are sensitive about anyone claiming to be the Son of God. Earlier, when Jesus had called his God his Father, the Jews wanted to kill him because they claim that he was "making himself equal to God." (John 5:17, 18; 10:31-39) Aware of such sentiments, Caiaphas now carefully demands of Jesus: "I put you under oath by the living God to tell us whether you are the Christ, the Son of God!" (Matthew 26:63) Of course, Jesus has acknowledged being the Son of God. (John 3:18; 5:25; 11:4) If he does not do so now, that could be construed as denying that he is God's Son and the Christ. So Jesus says: "I am; and you will see the Son of man sitting at the right hand of power and coming with the clouds of heaven." - MARK 14:62. 

Next time: CHAPTER 125/Jesus Is Taken to Annas, Then to Caiaphas - Conclusion

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CHAPTER 125/Jesus Is Taken to Annas, Then to Caiaphas - Continue

 This is hardly an unbiased group. After Jesus resurrected Lazarus, the Sanhedrin decided that Jesus should die. (John 11:47-53) And just days ago the religious authorities conspired to seize Jesus and kill him. (Matthew 26:3, 4) Yes, even before his trial begins, Jesus is as good as condemned to death!

In addition to meeting illegally, the chief priest and others of the Sanhedrin are attempting to find witnesses who will give false evidence to build the case against Jesus. They find many, but these cannot agree to their testimony. Finally, two come forward and claim: "We heard him say, 'I will throw down this temple that was made with hands, and in three days I will build another not made with hands.'" (Mark 14:58) Yet even these men do not fully agree.

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CHAPTER 125/Jesus Is Taken to Annas, then to Caiaphas - Continue

 Annas questions Jesus "about his disciples and about his teaching." Jesus replies simply: "I have spoken to the world publicly. I always taught in a synagogue and in the temple. where all the Jews come together, and I said nothing in secret. Why do you question me? Question those who have heard what I told them." - JOHN 18:19-20. 

An officer standing there slaps Jesus in the face and says reprovingly: "Is that the way you answer a chief priest?" But Jesus knowing that he has done no wrong, responds: "If I said something wrong, bear witness about the wrong; but if what I said was right, why do you hit me?" (John 18:22, 23) Annas then has Jesus taken away to his son-in-law Caiaphas. 

By now those composing the whole Sanhedrin-the current high priest, the elders of the people, and the scribes-have assembled. They meet at the home of Caiaphas. It is illegal to hold such a trial on the night of Passover, but this does not deter them from pursuing their wicked purpose.

Next time: CHAPTER 125/Jesus Is Taken to Annas, the to Caiaphas

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CHAPTER 125/Jesus Is Taken to Annas, Then to Caiaphas

 MATTHEW 26:57-68 MARK14:53-65 LUKE 22:54,63-65 JOHN 18:13, 14,19-24

. JESUS IS TAKEN TO FORMER HIGH PRIEST ANNAS

. AN ILLEGAL TRAIL BY THE SANHEDRIN 

Once Jesus is bound like common criminal, he is led to Annas, who was the high priest when young Jesus amazed the teachers at the temple. (Luke 2:42-47) Some of Annas' sons later served as high priest, and now his son-in-law Caiaphas holds that position. 

While Annas is questioning Jesus, Caiaphas has tine to assemble the Sanhedrin. That court of 71 members includes the high priest and others who had held that office.

Next time: CHAPTER 125/Jesus Is Taken to Annas, Then to Caiaphas - Continue

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