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The Desire of Ages
False witnesses had been bribed to accuse Jesus of inciting re-
bellion and seeking to establish a separate government. But their
testimony proved to be vague and contradictory. Under examination
they falsified their own statements.
Early in His ministry Christ had said, “Destroy this temple, and in
three days I will raise it up.” In the figurative language of prophecy,
He had thus foretold His own death and resurrection. “He spake of
the temple of His body.”
John 2:19, 21
. These words the Jews had
understood in a literal sense, as referring to the temple at Jerusalem.
Of all that Christ had said, the priests could find nothing to use against
Him save this. By misstating these words they hoped to gain an
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advantage. The Romans had engaged in rebuilding and embellishing
the temple, and they took great pride in it; any contempt shown to
it would be sure to excite their indignation. Here Romans and Jews,
Pharisees and Sadducees, could meet; for all held the temple in great
veneration. On this point two witnesses were found whose testimony
was not so contradictory as that of the others had been. One of them,
who had been bribed to accuse Jesus, declared, “This fellow said, I am
able to destroy the temple of God, and to build it in three days.” Thus
Christ’s words were misstated. If they had been reported exactly as
He spoke them, they would not have secured His condemnation even
by the Sanhedrin. Had Jesus been a mere man, as the Jews claimed,
His declaration would only have indicated an unreasonable, boastful
spirit, but could not have been construed into blasphemy. Even as
misrepresented by the false witnesses, His words contained nothing
which would be regarded by the Romans as a crime worthy of death.
Patiently Jesus listened to the conflicting testimonies. No word
did He utter in self-defense. At last His accusers were entangled,
confused, and maddened. The trial was making no headway; it seemed
that their plottings were to fail. Caiaphas was desperate. One last
resort remained; Christ must be forced to condemn Himself. The
high priest started from the judgment seat, his face contorted with
passion, his voice and demeanor plainly indicating that were it in his
power he would strike down the prisoner before him. “Answerest
Thou nothing?” he exclaimed; “what is it which these witness against
Thee?”
Jesus held His peace. “He was oppressed, and He was afflicted,
yet He opened not His mouth: He is brought as a lamb to the slaughter,