Dr. Luke did not record many of the details of the life of Jesus. He basically gave us cliff notes. The Apostle John gave a lot of details, as he was a first hand witness. I have included excerpts from both Books to try to paint the picture of what was occurring. This post is not intended to give the emotional account of The Passion, but to teach that the entire "trial, conviction, and prosecution" of Jesus was illegal. Had He been guilty of a crime, His death could not be the perfect substitution for mine. We "have all sinned and come short of the glory of God." Romans 3:23
JEWISH LEGAL TRADITION PRACTICE AND PROCEDURE
1) The day is for the beginning of the trial, the night is for the conclusion of the trial. Sanh. 34b
2) Both sides are required to present oral arguments in person to the court. (Resp.Ribash no. 98
3) The court's primary role was to be devoted to the defense of the accused against conviction for an offense, and the court served as the defendant's guardian and advocate.
4) The Talmud rules that a unanimous verdict by the Sanhedrin (Jewish court) must be thrown out and the defendant must be exonerated! The function of the Sanhedrin is to search for evidence of innocence rather than guilt, so if the verdict is unanimous, collusion must be suspected, which convicts the court!
5) After the proceedings have been concluded during the day, a judgment of acquittal will be announced that same day, but a JUDGMENT OF CONVICTION and sentence may not be announced until the following day, since there is a chance that the judges may change their minds during the night. NO criminal sessions may therefore BE HELD ON THE EVES OF THE SABBATH AND HOLIDAYS.
TODAY'S SCRIPTURE
Luke 18 (they arrested Him in the Garden of Gethsemane)
12) Then the band and the captain and officers of the Jews took Jesus, and bound Him,
13) And led Him away to Annas first; for he was father in law to Caiaphas, which was the high priest that same year.
14) Now Caiaphas was he, which gave counsel to the Jews, that it was expedient that one man should die for the people.
Luke 22 (also when they arrested Him)
52) Then Jesus said unto the chief priests, and captains of the temple, and the elders, which were come to Him, (in The Garden of Gethsemane where He had been praying) Be ye come out, as against a thief, with swords and staves?
53) When I was daily with you in the temple, ye stretched forth no hands against Me: but this is your hour, and the power of darkness.
54) Then took they Him, and led Him, and brought Him into the high priest's house. And Peter followed afar off. This is Thursday night, the eve of Passover (#5). Jesus was actually led into the house of Annas, who was the former high priest. At this time, he held no position of authority. There were no charges read to Him. (#2)
John 18:
25) And Simon Peter stood and warmed himself. They said therefore unto him, Art not thou also one of His disciples? He denied it, and said, I am not.
26) One of the servants of the high priest, being his kinsman whose ear Peter cut off, saith, Did not I see thee in the garden with Him?
27) Peter then denied again: and immediately the cock crew. King James Version (KJV), Public Domain Roosters begin crowing before sunrise, about 4-5am on Friday, beginning of Passover.
Luke 22:
66) And as soon as it was day, the elders of the people and the chief priests and the scribes came together, and led Him into their council, saying, (They went from the house of Annas to the chief priest, Caiaphas. This was to give the appearance of proper protocol)
67) Art Thou the Christ? tell us. And He said unto them, If I tell you, ye will not believe:
68) And if I also ask you, ye will not answer Me, nor let Me go.
69) Hereafter shall the Son of man sit on the right hand of the power of God.
70) Then said they all, Art Thou then the Son of God? And He said unto them, Ye say that I am.
71) And they said, What need we any further witness? for we ourselves have heard of His own mouth.
John 18: (The Apostle John's account:)
28) Then led they Jesus from Caiaphas unto the hall of judgment (Roman court): and it was early; and they themselves went not into the judgment hall, lest they should be defiled; but that they might eat the passover (#5)
29) Pilate then went out unto them, and said, What accusation bring ye against this Man?
Luke 23: 1 - 24 (Dr. Luke's account:)
1) And the whole multitude of them arose, and led Him unto Pilate. (#1,#4, #5)
2) And they began to accuse Him, saying, We found this fellow perverting the nation, and forbidding to give tribute to Caesar, saying that He Himself is Christ a King.
3) And Pilate asked Him, saying, Art Thou the King of the Jews? And He answered him and said, Thou sayest it.
4) Then said Pilate to the chief priests and to the people, I find NO FAULT in this man.
5) And they were the more fierce, saying, He stirreth up the people, teaching throughout all Jewry, beginning from Galilee to this place.
6) When Pilate heard of Galilee, he asked whether the man were a Galilaean.
7) And as soon as he knew that He belonged unto Herod's jurisdiction, he sent Him to Herod, who himself also was at Jerusalem at that time.
8) And when Herod saw Jesus, he was exceeding glad: for he was desirous to see Him of a long season, because he had heard many things of Him; and he hoped to have seen some miracle done by Him.
9) Then he questioned with Him in many words; but He answered him nothing. (#2)
10) And the chief priests and scribes stood and vehemently accused Him.
11) And Herod with his men of war set Him at nought, and mocked Him, and arrayed Him in a gorgeous robe, and sent Him again to Pilate.
12) And the same day Pilate and Herod were made friends together: for before they were at enmity between themselves.
13) And Pilate, when he had called together the chief priests and the rulers and the people,
14) Said unto them, Ye have brought this Man unto me, as one that perverteth the people: and, behold, I, having examined Him before you, have found NO FAULT in this Man touching those things whereof ye accuse Him:
15) No, NOR YET HEROD: for I sent you to him; and, lo, nothing worthy of death is done unto Him.
16) I will therefore chastise Him, and release Him.
17) (For of necessity he must release one (convict or prisoner) unto them at the feast.)
18) And they cried out all at once, saying, Away with this man, and release unto us Barabbas: (#4)
19) (Who for a certain sedition made in the city, and for murder, was cast into prison.)
20) Pilate therefore, willing to release Jesus, spake again to them.
21) But they cried, saying, Crucify Him, crucify Him.
22) And he said unto them the third time, Why, what evil hath He done? I have found NO CAUSE of death in Him: I will therefore chastise Him, and let Him go.
23) And they were instant with loud voices, requiring that He might be crucified. And the voices of them and of the chief priests prevailed.
24) And Pilate gave sentence that it should be as they required.
King James Version (KJV), Pubic Domain
This entire "trial" was illegal. Jesus did not defend Himself against the false accusations. Everything was prophesied about hundreds of years before these events took place. See Isaiah 53) However, each player in this event could have personally turned back. Another would have taken his place because the events were God's will for our salvation. His will prevails. I am giving Him all the praise and gratitude!
How do you feel about what my Jesus has done for you? He was led like a lamb to the slaughter to purchase your freedom. Learn more about how you can live forever in His presence by clicking here:
https://omaswisdom.blogspot.com/p/path-to-salvation.html
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