THE LAST WEEK OF JESUS' PUBLIC MINISTRY AND HIS CRUCIFIXION

             The First Stage of the Jewish Trial - Brought Before Annas

-John 18:13-14, 19-23

-Jesus was first taken to Annas who was a former “...high priest of the Jews, the virtual head of the

 priestly party in Jerusalem in the time of Christ, a man of commanding influence. He was the son of

 Seth (Josephus: Sethi), and was elevated to the high-priesthood by Quirinius, governor of Syria,

 7 AD.  At this period the office was filled and vacated at the caprice of the Roman procurators, and

 Annas was deposed by Valerius Gratus, 15 AD.  But though deprived of official status, he continued

 to wield great power as the dominant member of the hierarchy, using members of his family as his

 willing instruments” (ISBE).

            -“The Jews regarded Annas as the legitimate high priest since, according to the law of Moses,

             the office was held for life.  (Num. 20: 28; 35: 25.)  His influence was great, not only among

             the Jews, but with his son-in-law, the legal high priest, and it was to obtain his sanction of their

             actions that Jesus was first carried before him” (Woods, pg 375).

-John points out that it was Annas’ son-in-law, Caiaphas, who had previously determined that it

 would be best for one man to die for the people.  (See John 11:49-51.)

            -“John restates this fact to remind the reader that Jesus was about to be tried by those who had

             prejudged him and decided upon his death” (McGarvey/Pendleton, pg 694).

-Annas questioned Jesus regarding His disciples and doctrine.  “He probably asked him by what

 authority, or in virtue of what right, he collected disciples, formed a different sect, preached a new

 doctrine, and set himself up for a public reformer? As religion was interested in these things, the

 high priest was considered as being the proper judge. But all this, with what follows, was transacted

 by night, and this was contrary to established laws” (Clarke). 

            -Obviously, Annas was not interested in fairness nor truth.  Rather, he hoped to find something

             incriminating to hold against Jesus.

-Jesus indicated that His doctrine had not been taught and held secretly.  Instead, He had taught

 openly and publicly.  Therefore, information regarding His doctrine could have been easily known

 and certainly did not necessitate His arrest.   

            -“His reply seems to be a rebuke to those trying him.  Jesus claims that the examination may

             proceed in the regular order by calling witnesses.  ‘Ask them’; ‘Why asketh thou me?’  He

             wanted all the facts brought out” (Lipscomb, pg 281).

-At this point, an officer who stood nearby struck Jesus.  The physical abuse of our Savior was now

 underway.

            -“Jesus had showed no disrespect for the office of the high priest, and if he had, this was not the

             proper way to punish it” (Barnes). 

                        -Under the pretext of justice, a sequence of incredible injustices was now underway.    

            -Jesus responded with words paraphrased as:  “If I spoke something wrong, reveal it, point it

             out.  If nothing wrong can be found in my words, why did you hit me?”