THE LAST WEEK OF JESUS' PUBLIC MINISTRY AND HIS CRUCIFIXION

Third Stage of the Jewish Trial – After Dawn, the Sanhedrin Condemns Jesus

-Matthew 27:1-2; Mark 15:1; Luke 22:66-23:1; John 18:28a

-In an attempt to install some degree of legitimacy to their efforts, the Jewish council met

 at or immediately after daybreak and once again questioned and accused Jesus.

            -“This ratification of the condemnation after dawn was an effort to make the action legal. 

             But no ratification of a wrong can make it right.  Some modern Jewish writers admit the

             illegalities and argue the unhistorical character of the narrative.  But the hate of the Sanhedrin

             for Jesus made them violate their own rules of legal procedure” (Robertson, fn, pg 158).

-In spite of the fact that they had already rejected Jesus and determined Him to be worthy of death,

 they once again questioned Him.  A search for truth was certainly not a part of this procedure. 

 They had long before rejected the truth regarding our Savior and were simply not interested in it. 

 Rather, the procedure simply served as a formality – a step in which they could formally declare

 their verdict of “guilty” against the Son of God.   

-When asked if He was the Christ, Jesus replied, “If I tell you, ye will not believe:  and if I also

 ask you, ye will not answer me, nor let me go” (Luke 22:67-68).

            -“They had already seen convincing proof of his Messiahship and had rejected it; if he should

             present convincing proof now, they would not release him, for they were bent on his death”

             (Boles, Luke, pg 435).

-When asked if He was the Son of God, Jesus replied, “Yes, I am” (Luke 22:70, NASB), “You are

 right in saying I am” (NIV) – “The Hebrew mode of expression, equivalent to ‘Ye say it, because

 I am’” (McGarvey/Pendleton, pg 703).

            -At this point, the Jewish council brought the proceedings to a close.  No legitimate evidence had

             been presented against the Lord.  Truth had been ignored.  Falsehoods had been presented.  An

             unjust verdict had been issued.  Therefore, an innocent man was bound and led away to Pilate