Mateus 26

Mateus 26

Johnson - Caiaphas was his son-in-law. He was a religious degenerate who prostituted the divine office for personal gain. And oh how many there have been down through the years who have done that. Caiaphas was a man who heaped up for himself a massive amount of money while he was serving in the priesthood. When the Romans seized Jerusalem in 70 A.D. they found a fortune of vast size stored away by him. In fact, when the British pound was worth a pound one of the commentators said that they found two and a half million pounds stored away by him which he derived from the office. (Ref) The events are unfolding in these passage are beginning to fulfill the prophecies Jesus had given His men - Mt 16:21+, Mt 17:22-34+, Mt 20:17-19+. Gathered together gives us a vivid picture of these Jewish leaders, presumably representing the Sanhedrin, coming together like a brood of vipers crawling in under the cover of dark! As you read about the trials of Jesus, realize that they were merely a "formality" because in the eyes of the Jews Jesus in their minds was already considered guilty and condemned to die on the Cross. So not only was the entire process a series of "mock" trials, there were as many as seven "illegalities involved in these trials from the perspective of Jewish law" Grassmick - Three groups—the elders (influential lay leaders), chief priests (Sadducees, cf. Mk 12:18+, including former high priests), teachers of the Law (scribes, mostly Pharisees)—constituted the Sanhedrin, the Jewish supreme court which met in Jerusalem (cf. Mk 11:27+; Mk 14:53+). (See The Bible Knowledge Commentary) Paul Apple - How were they all able to suddenly come together in the dead of the night? 71 members of the Sanhedrin – no small gathering; shows how urgently they regarded the situation The trials before Jewish authorities, the religious trials, showed the degree to which the Jewish leaders hated Him because they carelessly disregarded many of their own laws. There were several illegalities involved in these trials from the perspective of Jewish law: (from What trials did Jesus face before His crucifixion?) No trial was to be held during feast time. Each member of the court was to vote individually to convict or acquit, but Jesus was convicted by acclamation. If the death penalty was given, a night must pass before the sentence was carried out; however, only a few hours passed before Jesus was placed on the Cross. The Jews had no authority to execute anyone. No trial was to be held at night, but this trial was held before dawn. The accused was to be given counsel or representation, but Jesus had none. The accused was not to be asked self-incriminating questions, but Jesus was asked if He was the Christ. (See Arnold Fruchtenbaum's more complete list of 22 laws the Sanhedrin broke) John