Jesus Stands Bound Before Caiaphas and the CouncilBible World
14:55Mark 14:55
And the chief priests and all the council sought for witness against Jesus to put him to death; and found none.
Mark 14:55 belongs to the account of Jesus brought before Annas for a preliminary examination and then before the court of Caiaphas for the formal trial before the Sanhedrin. The whole council was assembled in the judgment hall with Caiaphas as presiding officer. Jesus stood at the foot of the throne of judgment while Caiaphas sat upon it, with judges and others interested in the trial on either side, and Roman soldiers ranged on the platform below.
Those judging Him were moved by rivalry and bitter jealousy because crowds were drawn to Jesus and His wise teaching. The chief priests and all the council were judging Him for His life and sought testimony against Him to justify putting Him to death. They found none because He had said nothing that gave them advantage, and the witnesses who came forward gave false and conflicting accounts that left no consistent evidence against Him.
Under Roman rule the Sanhedrin could examine and pass judgment but could not execute a death sentence without Roman ratification. An accusation still had to be found that would condemn Him as a blasphemer in the eyes of the Jews and as guilty of sedition as a disturber of the peace and creator of insurrection in the eyes of the Romans. Annas tried the Roman charge first by questioning Jesus about His disciples and doctrines to prove a secret society plotting a new kingdom, but Jesus denied any secret bond and pointed to His open teaching in synagogue and temple. The midnight seizure, mockery, and abuse before any accusation or condemnation violated the law and their own rule that every man be treated as innocent until proved guilty.
While the trial proceeded Jesus remained calm, dignified, serene, majestic and God-like in bearing, with a holy influence pervading the air around Him. This stood in contrast to the excited and malignant deportment of Annas and Caiaphas, so that even the hardened multitude questioned sentencing a man of such presence as a common criminal. Caiaphas was at first struck with admiration and conviction that Jesus was akin to God, but he banished the thought and hastened the trial. Demanding in sneering, haughty tones that Jesus work a mighty miracle before him, he was ignored as though He heard it not.
The contrast extended to dress, with the high priest in gorgeous robe, glittering tiara and costly breastplate once lit by divine glory, while Jesus wore coarse, homely garments, though He had reigned in the courts of Heaven crowned and clothed in brightness and attended by holy angels. The failure to find witness proves Jesus guiltless of violating the Sabbath, for His actions in satisfying hunger with His disciples were in harmony with the Sabbath commandment. If His conduct had truly broken the commandment they would not have needed false witnesses at His trial.
Mark 14:55 belongs to the account of Jesus brought before Annas for a preliminary examination and then before the court of Caiaphas for the formal trial before the Sanhedrin. The whole council was assembled in the judgment hall with Caiaphas as presiding officer. Jesus stood at the foot of the throne of judgment while Caiaphas sat upon it, with judges and others interested in the trial on either side, and Roman soldiers ranged on the platform below.
Those judging Him were moved by rivalry and bitter jealousy because crowds were drawn to Jesus and His wise teaching. The chief priests and all the council were judging Him for His life and sought testimony against Him to justify putting Him to death. They found none because He had said nothing that gave them advantage, and the witnesses who came forward gave false and conflicting accounts that left no consistent evidence against Him.
Under Roman rule the Sanhedrin could examine and pass judgment but could not execute a death sentence without Roman ratification. An accusation still had to be found that would condemn Him as a blasphemer in the eyes of the Jews and as guilty of sedition as a disturber of the peace and creator of insurrection in the eyes of the Romans. Annas tried the Roman charge first by questioning Jesus about His disciples and doctrines to prove a secret society plotting a new kingdom, but Jesus denied any secret bond and pointed to His open teaching in synagogue and temple. The midnight seizure, mockery, and abuse before any accusation or condemnation violated the law and their own rule that every man be treated as innocent until proved guilty.
While the trial proceeded Jesus remained calm, dignified, serene, majestic and God-like in bearing, with a holy influence pervading the air around Him. This stood in contrast to the excited and malignant deportment of Annas and Caiaphas, so that even the hardened multitude questioned sentencing a man of such presence as a common criminal. Caiaphas was at first struck with admiration and conviction that Jesus was akin to God, but he banished the thought and hastened the trial. Demanding in sneering, haughty tones that Jesus work a mighty miracle before him, he was ignored as though He heard it not.
The contrast extended to dress, with the high priest in gorgeous robe, glittering tiara and costly breastplate once lit by divine glory, while Jesus wore coarse, homely garments, though He had reigned in the courts of Heaven crowned and clothed in brightness and attended by holy angels. The failure to find witness proves Jesus guiltless of violating the Sabbath, for His actions in satisfying hunger with His disciples were in harmony with the Sabbath commandment. If His conduct had truly broken the commandment they would not have needed false witnesses at His trial.