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PAINTING ABOVE (Antonio Ciseri's depiction of Ecce Homo, 1871): Pontius Pilate, with Jesus of Nazareth at his left, is attempting to reason with the crowd of Jews yelling for Jesus to be crucified. Pilate's wife, second woman from the right, previously told her husband of a dream (perceived by many as Divine Communication) she had that very day. In Matthew 27:19, she sent a message to her husband, pleading with him to have nothing to do with "that innocent man." Her pleas, of course, went unheeded. -
CRUCIFY HIM, CRUCIFY HIM!
THE SIX TRIALS OF JESUS OF NAZARETH
Piecing together the Four Gospels (1) of Matthew (2), Mark (3), Luke (4) and John (5) offers us much insight into what took place after the unlawful arrest (6) of Jesus (7) in the Garden of Gethsemane (8) but before He was crucified (9) at Golgotha (10). The differing narratives of the Gospels lead many to believe that Jesus was brought to stand before six separate trials (all with no merit) within a matter of the early hours on what many refer to present day as Good Friday.
Three of the trials were conducted under Jewish (religious) authority while the other three were officiated by Roman (civil) authorities. Those trials and their respective supporting biblical references sources are offered herein.
THREE JEWISH (RELIGIOUS) TRIALS OF JESUS
Matthew 26:57-68, 27:1-2 / Mark 14:53-65, 15:1
Luke 22:54, 66-71 / John 18:13-14, 19-24
1) BEFORE ANNAS: Hearing before Annas (11), former Jewish High Priest (12) for 16 years. Jesus receives initial physical abuse (Luke 22:54; John 18:13-14, 19-24).
Charge: False arrest. Accusers attempted, in vain, to gather evidence to justify killing Jesus.
Disposition: Sent to High Priest Caiaphas.
2) BEFORE CAIAPHAS: Hearing before the current Jewish High Priest, Caiaphas (13), and the Sanhedrin (14). Jesus bloodied by abuse. Imprisonment at Caiaphas' palace (Matthew 26:57-68; Mark 14:53-65; John 18:24).
Charge: Blasphemy, amongst other baseless accusations.
Disposition: Guilty.
3) BEFORE THE SANHEDRIN: Hearing before all the Jewish elders, including the High Priest, Pharisees, Sadducees, and Scribes- the whole Sanhedrin. They decide to ask the Roman government to kill Jesus (Matthew 27:1-2; Mark 15:1; Luke 22:66-71).
Charge: Blasphemy.
Disposition: Guilty.
As Rome did not concern themselves with Jewish laws or customs, the Jewish leaders knew a charge of Blasphemy would not move the local Roman authorities to take action. Hence, charges of Treason and others were drummed up for the civil trials.4) BEFORE PILATE: Hearing before the Roman Governor of Judea (15), Pontius Pilate (16), who declared, "I find no guilt in this man" (Matthew 27:11-14; Mark 15:2-5; Luke 23:1-7; John 18:28-38).
Charge: Treason, amongst other baseless accusations.
Disposition: Innocent.
5) BEFORE HEROD: Hearing before Herod Antipas (17), the son of Herod (the Great) (18), who had jurisdiction as Tetrarch over Galilee (19). Jesus refused to answer any questions. After mocking Jesus, Herod returned Him to Pilate (Luke 23:8-12).
Charge: Treason.
Disposition: No finding.
6) BEFORE PILATE: Pilate repeatedly tried to release Jesus. Pilate's wife (20) even sent him a message saying, “Don’t have anything to do with that innocent man, for I have suffered a great deal today in a dream because of him.” As the Jewish leaders continued to object, Pilate ordered the physical torture and beating of Jesus, seeking to satisfy them. However, the religious leaders demanded that Jesus be crucified. Pilate resisted, but eventually succumbed to their pressure- probably to avoid trouble with Rome (no king but Caesar). Pilate notes on the sign on Jesus' Cross that His crime was being the King of the Jews (Matthew 27:15-26; Mark 15:6-15; Luke 23:13-25; John 18:39-19:16).
Charge: Treason.
Disposition: See narrative above. -
# TRIAL TYPE/PRESIDER MATT MARK LUKE JOHN 1 Jewish Religious/Annas -- -- 22:54 18:13-14, 19-24 2 Jewish Religious/Caiaphas 26:57-68 14:53-65 18:24 3 Jewish Religious/Sanhedrin 27:1-2 15:1 22:66-71 -- 4 Roman Civil/Pilate 27:11-14 15:2-5 23:1-7 18:28-38 5 Roman Civil/Herod -- -- 23:8-12 -- 6 Roman Civil/Pilate 27:15-26 15:6-15 23:13-25 18:39-19:16 -
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If you're seeking additional info about Christianity on a more personal level, consider visiting a Christian Church here in Marion County (21). Introduce yourself to members and ask to speak with someone to learn more about Jesus. Surrendering your life to Christ (22) (b) is the most rewarding, everlasting decision you'll ever make, and it's comforting to have someone guide you as you begin your new life as a child of the Most High! May God shower you with great favor in this endeavor!
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Footnotes, Page Credits and External Resources appear below. Consider printing and sharing the offered PDF narrative and other listed resources with family, friends and strangers alike for use in Bible Studies (23), Home/Church Faith Sharing Groups (24), Discipleship Encounters (25) and/or Personal Faith Enrichment!
Modifications are welcome at [email protected].+ + + + + + + + +
FOOTNOTES:
(1) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/the-four-gospels
(2) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/matthew
(3) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/mark
(4) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/luke
(5) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/john
(6) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/jesus-arrested
(7) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/jesus-christ
(8) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/gethsemane
(9) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/crucifixion-of-christ
(10) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/golgotha
(11) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/annas
(12) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/high-priest
(13) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/caiaphas
(14) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/sanhedrin
(15) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/judah-1
(16) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/pontius-pilate
(17) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/herod-antipas
(18) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/herod
(19) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/galilee
(20) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/pilates-wife
(21) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/listing-by-city
(22) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/the-gracious-visitor
(23) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/bible-studies
(24) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/christian-education
(25) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/discipleship
PAGE CREDITS:
(a) Bible Gateway, New International Version (NIV) Bible,
accessed September 18, 2020 https://www.biblegateway.com/
EXTERNAL RESOURCES:
(b) "How Do I Convert to Christianity?", Got Questions Ministries,
accessed January 12, 2020 https://www.gotquestions.org/convert-to-Christianity.html
(c) "What Trials Did Jesus Face Before His Crucifixion?", Got Questions Ministries,
accessed December 12, 2020 https://www.gotquestions.org/trials-of-Jesus.html