598
The Desire of Ages
there were others who might dare to speak in favor of justice. The trial
must be so conducted as to unite the members of the Sanhedrin against
Christ. There were two charges which the priests desired to maintain.
If Jesus could be proved a blasphemer, He would be condemned by
the Jews. If convicted of sedition, it would secure His condemnation
by the Romans. The second charge Annas tried first to establish. He
questioned Jesus concerning His disciples and His doctrines, hoping
the prisoner would say something that would give him material upon
which to work. He thought to draw out some statement to prove that
He was seeking to establish a secret society, with the purpose of setting
up a new kingdom. Then the priests could deliver Him to the Romans
as a disturber of the peace and a creator of insurrection.
Christ read the priest’s purpose as an open book. As if reading
the inmost soul of His questioner, He denied that there was between
Him and His followers any secret bond of union, or that He gathered
them secretly and in the darkness to conceal His designs. He had
no secrets in regard to His purposes or doctrines. “I spake openly
to the world,” He answered; “I ever taught in the synagogue, and in
the temple, whither the Jews always resort; and in secret have I said
nothing.”
The Saviour contrasted His own manner of work with the methods
of His accusers. For months they had hunted Him, striving to entrap
Him and bring Him before a secret tribunal, where they might obtain
by perjury what it was impossible to gain by fair means. Now they
were carrying out their purpose. The midnight seizure by a mob, the
mockery and abuse before He was condemned, or even accused, was
their manner of work, not His. Their action was in violation of the law.
Their own rules declared that every man should be treated as innocent
until proved guilty. By their own rules the priests stood condemned.
Turning upon His questioner, Jesus said, “Why askest thou Me?”
Had not the priests and rulers sent spies to watch His movements, and
report His every word? Had not these been present at every gathering
[700]
of the people, and carried to the priests information of all His sayings
and doings? “Ask them which heard Me, what I have said unto them,”
replied Jesus; “behold, they know what I said.”
Annas was silenced by the decision of the answer. Fearing that
Christ would say something regarding his course of action that he
would prefer to keep covered up, he said nothing more to Him at this