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Jesus on Trial

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It had been a rather stormy board meeting and some very harsh things had been said. One man-always highly respected and unusually wise in his judgments-had said nothing throughout the proceedings. Suddenly one of the leaders in the argument turned to him: “You have not said … More

Silence
The focus of this passage is when Jesus was asked by the high priest if He was truly the Son of God and He remained silent. After Jesus’ was  arrested He was taken to the home of Annas, the former high priest who was the father-in-law of Caiphas who is now the high priest (John 18:13). From there he was taken, in the morning, to Caiphas’ house. The high priest hastily assembled the Sanhedrin, composed of the chief priests, the elders, and the scribes (Mark 14:53). They had already determined that He was guilty, but they wanted to go through the motion of a legal trial.

Seeking a case against Jesus, the Sanhedrin had brought in many witnesses; but their testimony was false and inconsistent (Mark 14:56). Then two witnesses testified that Jesus had claimed He would destroy the temple and in three days build another. However these witnesses failed to provide substantial evidence either. Finally in frustration the high priest tried to get Jesus to respond to these witnesses, hoping to trap Him with His own statements. Jesus just remained silent which was a fulfillment of Isaiah 53:7.

When Caiphas saw that these false charges were not proving anything he took another approach. He put Jesus under oath. He knew that Jesus claimed to be the Son of God (John 10:30-33) so he asked him to affirm this. As soon as Jesus said yes, the high priest tore his clothes as a sign of righteous honor and outrage and declared this blasphemy. He put the question of Jesus’ guilt to the Sanhedrin and got a unanimous decision that He deserved to die.

Application

When, if ever, I have to defend myself it is so easy to want to tell people all that I know rather than not say anything and let my silence speak.

Matthew 26:57-68 (English Standard Version)

Then those who had seized Jesus led him to Caiaphas the high priest, where the scribes and the elders had gathered. And Peter was following him at a distance, as far as the courtyard of the high priest, and going inside he sat with the guards to see the end. Now the chief priests and the whole Council were seeking false testimony against Jesus that they might put him to death, but they found none, though many false witnesses came forward. At last two came forward and said, "This man said, 'I am able to destroy the temple of God, and to rebuild it in three days.'" And the high priest stood up and said, "Have you no answer to make? What is it that these men testify against you?" But Jesus remained silent. And the high priest said to him, "I adjure you by the living God, tell us if you are the Christ, the Son of God." Jesus said to him, "You have said so. But I tell you, from now on you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power and coming on the clouds of heaven." Then the high priest tore his robes and said, "He has uttered blasphemy. What further witnesses do we need? You have now heard his blasphemy. What is your judgment?" They answered, "He deserves death." Then they spit in his face and struck him. And some slapped him, saying, "Prophesy to us, you Christ! Who is it that struck you?"

View this passage in NIV (Bible Gateway) »

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