In the Garden
75
that they had accomplished this they would not let him escape death,
if they could prevent it.
Jesus was hurried off by the hooting mob. He moved painfully,
for his hands were tightly bound and he was closely guarded. He was
first conducted to the house of Annas, the father-in-law of the high
priest, the man whose counsel was sought and carried out by the Jewish
people as the voice of God. Annas craved the fearful satisfaction of
first seeing Jesus of Nazareth a bound captive. Having once been
shown to Annas, he was hurried away; for the priests and rulers had
decided that if they once had possession of his person, there should be
no delays in his trial and condemnation. This was because they feared
that the people, remembering his acts of charity and mercy among
them, would rescue him out of their hands.
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