Jesus Appears Before the Sanhedrin Court 

Following the examination by Annas, Jesus was brought before the Sanhedrin court for his formal trial. This court was called to order by Caiaphas at about three-thirty on the morning of Friday, April 6, CE. On this morning, the court was not held in its usual place but in the palace of the high priest, Caiaphas. But this was no ordinary trial. Instead of the usual deliberation and care that fairness was ensured to the accused, Caiaphus was acting as prosecutor, not as a judge devoted to fairness

These wicked Sanhedrin were feeling so self-satisfied; they had finally gotten their hands on Jesus. And they were determined that he would never taste freedom again. They had already agreed that Jesus deserved to die for his teachings and conduct, but their aim in this day’s proceeding was to develop sufficient charges against Jesus, which would convince Pontius Pilate, the Roman governor, to legally pronounce the death sentence.

Jesus, his hands bound behind his back, and John Zebedee, who was permitted to accompany the Master during this so-called trial, entered the chamber together. All who were present were impressed at the sight of this condemned prisoner who exhibited such composure and majestic dignity.

In Jewish law, two witnesses must agree on a single point for it to be laid as a charge against the accused. But the parade of witnesses against Jesus was pathetic; even the Sanhedrin were embarrassed by the many contradictions and the obviously rehearsed nature of these witnesses. The only time any of them came close to agreement was when two of the witnesses said that they had heard Jesus say that he would "destroy this temple made with hands and in three days make another temple without hands." It was evidently the best they could do despite the fact that Jesus never actually said those words. Jesus never responded or contradicted their false testimonies. Instead, he looked at all of them with eyes of love.

The chief priest shouted at Jesus: "Do you not answer any of these charges?" But Jesus would not answer. His silence and his calm demeanor were enough to refute the false testimony.

As the testimony started, Annas came into the court and took a seat with Caiaphas. When he heard the agreement of the two witnesses who agreed, he stood and charged that that testimony was sufficient to lay the following charges against Jesus, which made it appear that Jesus’ teachings were a danger to the people:

1. That he was a dangerous enemy of the people who taught them impossible things and otherwise deceived them.
2. That he was a fanatical revolutionist who threatened to destroy the temple.
3. That he taught magic because he promised to build a new temple without hands.

Caiaphus was enraged that Jesus was so composed and calm in the face of the accusations against him. He rushed over to Jesus and shook his finger in his face, saying: "I am ordering you, in the name of the living God, that you tell us whether you are the Deliverer, the Son of God." Without hesitation, Jesus answered Caiaphas: "I am. Soon I go to the Father, and presently shall the Son of Man be clothed with power and once more reign over the hosts of heaven." This was the only question Jesus answered, the only question he deemed worthy of a response.

Jesus’ answer made Caiaphus so angry that he ripped at his outer clothing. He shouted: "What further need do we have for witnesses? Behold, now you have all heard this man’s blasphemy." And when he asked what should be done now, the whole court shouted back: "He is worthy of death; let him be crucified."

Annas wanted to keep the proceedings moving along so that they could organize their charges against Jesus to present to Pilate before he left town, but he quickly lost control of the proceedings. Caiaphus suddenly stepped up and slapped Jesus across his face, and then the rest of the court disbanded, alternatively slapping Jesus or spitting in his face as they all left the courtroom. This so-called trial ended in confusion, disorder, and violent anger at about four-thirty this Friday morning.

These thirty false judges simply could not further endure the majestic silence and bearing of Jesus. He showed no fear of them and seemed unconcerned by their hostility and threats; his only statement spoke absolute truth in defiance of their assaults. They presumed to sit in judgment of him, but even so, the Master, the Son of God, loved them still and would have saved them if he could.