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Chapter 75—The Illegal Trial of Jesus
This chapter is based on
Matthew 26:57-75
;
27:1
;
Mark 14:53-72
;
15:1
;
Luke 22:54-71
;
John 18:13-27
.
Through the hushed streets of the sleeping city they hurried Jesus.
It was past midnight. Bound and closely guarded, the Saviour moved
painfully to the palace of Annas, the ex-high priest. Annas was the
head of the officiating priestly family, and in deference to his age he
was recognized by the people as high priest. His counsel was sought
as the voice of God. He must be present at the examination of the
prisoner, for fear that the less-experienced Caiaphas might fail of
securing the object for which they were working. His cunning and
subtlety must be used, for Christ’s condemnation must be secured.
Christ was to be tried formally before the Sanhedrin, but before
Annas in a preliminary trial. Under Roman rule the Sanhedrin could
only examine a prisoner and pass judgment, to be ratified by the
Roman authorities. It was therefore necessary to bring against Christ
charges regarded as criminal by the Romans and also in the eyes of
the Jews. Not a few priests and rulers had been convicted by Christ’s
teaching. Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus were not now to
be summoned, but others might dare to speak in favor of justice.
The trial must unite the Sanhedrin against Christ. Two charges 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, hoping the prisoner would say something to prove that He was
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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 creator of insurrection.
As if reading the inmost soul of His questioner, Christ denied that
He gathered His followers secretly and in the darkness to conceal
His designs. “I spake openly to the world,” He answered. “I ever
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