Before Annas and the Court of Caiaphas
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serene. The very atmosphere surrounding Him seemed pervaded by a
holy influence.
Caiaphas had regarded Jesus as his rival. The eagerness of the
people to hear the Saviour, and their apparent readiness to accept His
teachings, had aroused the bitter jealousy of the high priest. But as
Caiaphas now looked upon the prisoner, he was struck with admiration
for His noble and dignified bearing. A conviction came over him that
this Man was akin to God. The next instant he scornfully banished the
thought. Immediately his voice was heard in sneering, haughty tones
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demanding that Jesus work one of His mighty miracles before them.
But his words fell upon the Saviour’s ears as though He heard them
not. The people compared the excited and malignant deportment of
Annas and Caiaphas with the calm, majestic bearing of Jesus. Even in
the minds of that hardened multitude arose the question, Is this man of
godlike presence to be condemned as a criminal?
Caiaphas, perceiving the influence that was obtaining, hastened the
trial. The enemies of Jesus were in great perplexity. They were bent on
securing His condemnation, but how to accomplish this they knew not.
The members of the council were divided between the Pharisees and
the Sadducees. There was bitter animosity and controversy between
them; certain disputed points they dared not approach for fear of a
quarrel. With a few words Jesus could have excited their prejudices
against each other, and thus have averted their wrath from Himself.
Caiaphas knew this, and he wished to avoid stirring up a contention.
There were plenty of witnesses to prove that Christ had denounced
the priests and scribes, that He had called them hypocrites and mur-
derers; but this testimony it was not expedient to bring forward. The
Sadducees in their sharp contentions with the Pharisees had used to
them similar language. And such testimony would have no weight
with the Romans, who were themselves disgusted with the preten-
sions of the Pharisees. There was abundant evidence that Jesus had
disregarded the traditions of the Jews, and had spoken irreverently of
many of their ordinances; but in regard to tradition the Pharisees and
Sadducees were at swords’ points; and this evidence also would have
no weight with the Romans. Christ’s enemies dared not accuse Him
of Sabbathbreaking, lest an examination should reveal the character of
His work. If His miracles of healing were brought to light, the very
object of the priests would be defeated.