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Illegal Trial of Jesus
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over him that this man was like God. The next instant he banished
the thought and, in haughty tones, demanded that Jesus work one of
His mighty miracles. But the Savior acted as though He had not even
heard the words. The question arose in the minds of that hardened
crowd, Should this man of godlike presence be condemned as a
criminal?
The enemies of Jesus were perplexed. They did not know how
to bring about His condemnation. Caiaphas wanted to avoid stirring
up conflict. There were plenty of witnesses to prove that Christ
had called the priests and scribes hypocrites and murderers, but this
was not useful to bring out. Such testimony would have no weight
with the Romans. There was much evidence that Jesus had spoken
irreverently of many of the Jews’ regulations. This evidence also
would have no weight with the Romans. Christ’s enemies did not
dare to accuse Him of Sabbath breaking, since an examination would
bring to light His miracles of healing.
The leaders had bribed false witnesses to accuse Jesus of trying
to establish a separate government. But their testimony turned out 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 this way He had foretold His
own death and resurrection. “He was speaking of the temple of
His body.”
John 2:19, 21
. Of all that Christ had said, the priests
could find nothing to use against Him except this. The Romans had
engaged in rebuilding and beautifying the temple, and they took
great pride in it. If anyone showed contempt for it, they would
be offended. Here Romans and Jews had common ground, for all
regarded the temple with great respect.
One witness 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.’ “ If the witness had reported Christ’s words exactly as He
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spoke them, they would not have brought about His condemnation
even by the Sanhedrin. His declaration would only have indicated
an unreasonable, boastful spirit, but not blasphemy. Even as the
false witnesses misrepresented His words, they contained nothing
the Romans regarded as a crime worthy of death.