Matthew 26:57-67 ESV
John 18:28-32 and 18:33-40 ESV
Forgiveness Series
Jesus was taken from being tried by Annas the High Priest to see Caiaphas the High Priest. Annas was the Father of Caiaphas. The account of the conversation between Jesus and Caiaphas is not found in the Gospel of John, but was included in the Gospel of Matthew.
We read in Matthew 26:57-67, “Then those who had seized Jesus led him to Caiaphas the high priest, where the scribes and the elders had gathered. And Peter was following him at a distance, as far as the courtyard of the high priest, and going inside he sat with the guards to see the end. Now the chief priests and the whole council were seeking false testimony against Jesus that they might put him to death, but they found none, though many false witnesses came forward. At last two came forward and said, “This man said, ‘I am able to destroy the temple of God, and to rebuild it in three days.’” And the high priest stood up and said, “Have you no answer to make? What is it that these men testify against you?” But Jesus remained silent. And the high priest said to him, “I adjure you by the living God, tell us if you are the Christ, the Son of God.” Jesus said to him, “You have said so. But I tell you, from now on you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power and coming on the clouds of heaven.” Then the high priest tore his robes and said, “He has uttered blasphemy. What further witnesses do we need? You have now heard his blasphemy. What is your judgment?” They answered, “He deserves death.” Then they spit in his face and struck him. And some slapped him.”
When Jesus stood before the High Priest Caiaphas, there were Hebrew Scribes and Elders present. We notice that Peter was following from a distance.
Matthew included in his account that the council was ‘seeking false testimony’ and many false witnesses were found to testify. The last two told the council that Jesus said He could destroy the temple and rebuild it in three days. Jesus did say that early in His ministry (John 2:19) and it was taken out of context at the trial. Jesus’ example was in the spiritual sense.
Jesus did not deny saying that and He remained silent. In response to His silence, the High Priest point blank asked Jesus if He was Christ, Son of God.
Jesus’ responded, you say so, and He followed up with a spiritual example that the Son of Man will be the right hand of power coming out of the clouds. Caiaphas, the High Priest took that statement as blasphemy and the council decided Jesus deserved to die.
Then, the Hebrew Council spit on Jesus, struck Him and slapped Him. Having made their decision that Jesus should die, they sent Him off to see Pilate, the Roman Governor.
In John 18:28-32 we learn, “Then they led Jesus from the house of Caiaphas to the governor's headquarters. It was early morning. They themselves did not enter the governor's headquarters, so that they would not be defiled, but could eat the Passover. So Pilate went outside to them and said, “What accusation do you bring against this man?” They answered him, “If this man were not doing evil, we would not have delivered him over to you.” Pilate said to them, “Take him yourselves and judge him by your own law.” The Jews said to him, “It is not lawful for us to put anyone to death.” This was to fulfill the word that Jesus had spoken to show by what kind of death he was going to die.”
Now we know why the Hebrew Council needed to declare that Jesus needed to die AND they needed Jesus to be taken before Pilate. The council did not have the power to put anyone to death. They needed the Roman Government to do that.
We read in John 18:33-40, “So Pilate entered his headquarters again and called Jesus and said to him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” Jesus answered, “Do you say this of your own accord, or did others say it to you about me?” Pilate answered, “Am I a Jew? Your own nation and the chief priests have delivered you over to me. What have you done?” Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would have been fighting, that I might not be delivered over to the Jews. But my kingdom is not from the world.” Then Pilate said to him, “So you are a king?” Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. For this purpose I was born and for this purpose I have come into the world—to bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice.” Pilate said to him, “What is truth?”After he had said this, he went back outside to the Jews and told them, “I find no guilt in him. But you have a custom that I should release one man for you at the Passover. So do you want me to release to you the King of the Jews?” They cried out again, “Not this man, but Barabbas!” Now Barabbas was a robber.”
When the Roman Governor Pilate questioned Jesus he found no fault in Him.
We have no way of knowing why Pilate didn’t just release Jesus, but I suspect it was a political thing.
If Pilate would have released Jesus, the ruling Hebrew council could have made his life miserable. I think he was trying to keep them happy, or at least appease them. That’s what he did. Notice Pilate said, “you have a custom” which would have validated them.
When Pilate allowed them to release one man, they immediately released Barabbas, the robber. They didn’t care about Barabbas…they DID care about getting Jesus out of the way permanently.
They didn’t want Jesus to disrupt their system.
As always though, God had a plan.
Because of His death on the Cross Jesus did overhaul the system.
Big time.
Today’s Spiritual Practice is: God’s Plan
Have you prayed lately about God’s plan for you? Ask God to show you His plan for you.
In God, Deborah
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