Trial by sanhedrin

He appeared before the Sanhedrin immediately as the Jewish leaders wanted him tried as quickly as possible. In their haste, the Sanhedrin does not appear to be concerned about a fair trial. They are looking for false evidence. Jesus is accused of threatening to destroy the temple.

Jesus remained silent and again this fulfils Old Testament prophecy about the Messiah. The high priest tore his own clothes to show his horror at hearing blasphemy - this was a custom among very self-righteous Jews. The death sentence was then immediately passed on Jesus and they hit him and spat in his face. Background There were a number of reasons why the Jewish leaders wanted Jesus put to death: He challenged their authority , calling them hypocrites. He broke their laws about Sabbath observance.

The Sanhedrin had in place a number of rules regarding the conduct of their own trials: A trial could not take place at night or during the time of an important festival.

Laws of the Sanhedrin Regarding Trails: 1. There was to be no arrest by religious authorities that was effected by a bribe. Exodus 2. There were to be no steps of criminal proceedings after sunset.

Judges or Sanhedrin members were not allowed to participate in the arrest. There were to be no trials before the morning sacrifice. There were to be no secret trials, only public.

Sanhedrin trials could only be conducted in the hall of judgment of the temple compound. The procedure was to be first the defense and then the accusation. All may argue in favor of acquittal, but all may not argue in favor of conviction. There was to be no allowance for the accused to testify against himself. The high priest was forbidden to rent his garments. Leviticus 10 The accusation of blasphemy was only valid if the name of God itself was pronounced. A person could not be condemned on the basis of his own words alone.

The verdict could not be announced at night, only in the daytime. The sentence could only be pronounced three days after the guilty verdict. If witnesses were untruthful, they were to receive the same punishment themselves.

Jesus had none. No one can accuse himself. The high priest is not allowed to grandstand. Caiaphas rent his clothes and accused Christ of blasphemy.

The accused must be given ample time to defend himself of any accusations. If with a capital crime the decision is unanimous against the accused, the case is actually thrown out. Any members of the Sanhedrin who may have defended Christ were not invited to this court session. The court found unanimously against Jesus, so He should have walked free.

The next morning part of the Sanhedrin convened at the proper place to make things look legal. Any sort of bribery disqualifies a member of the court.