What legal trials of Jesus led to His crucifixion?

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY?

Jesus’ first trial occurred after the Roman soldiers brought Him to Annas, the former high priest, in which trials Jesus received His first abuse (John 18:12-14; 19-23). The second trial was before Caiaphas, the high priest at the time, during which Jesus was spit on and stricken (Matthew 26:57-68; Mark 14:53-65; Luke 22:54, 63-65; John 18:24). The third trial took place before the Sanhedrin (Matthew 27:1; Mark 15:1; Luke 22:66-71), which happened "as soon as it was day" (Luke 22:66). After that, Jesus was delivered to Pilate (Matthew 27:1-2, 11-14; Mark 15:1-5; Luke 23:1-7; John 18:28-32, 33-38), who found Jesus guiltless and sent Him to King Herod (Matthew 27:1-2, 11-14; Mark 15:1-5; Luke 23:1-7; John 18:28-32). During Herod’s trial, Jesus did not respond when questioned. After being accused by chief priests and scribes and mocked by Herod and his soldiers, "splendid clothing” is put on Jesus and He is sent back to Pilate (Luke 23:6-12). During Pilate's second trial (Matthew 27:15-23; Mark 15:6-14; Luke 23:13-22; John 18:39-19:6), he put Jesus’ fate in the hands of the Jewish people, offering to either release the criminal Barabbas or Jesus. In this trial, God’s chosen people betray their own Messiah, choosing Jesus to be crucified (Matthew 27:22-23, Mark 15:13-14, Luke 23:21–23, John 19:6, 15).

FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT

• The legal trials of Jesus leading to His crucifixion are not found in the Old Testament.

FROM THE NEW TESTAMENT

• The trial before Annas: John 18:12-14 and verses 19-23 include the details of the first Jewish trial of Jesus. Annas was the father-in-law of Caiaphas the high priest.
• The trial before Caiaphas: All four Gospels record this trial (Matthew 26:57-68; Mark 14:53-65; Luke 22:54, 63-65; John 18:24). In it, the religious leaders gather together, bringing many false witnesses against Jesus. Jesus speaks of Himself as the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of power, a clear reference to Himself as Messiah. Caiaphas, the high priest, tears his clothes and claims Jesus had given evidence worthy of death on His own.
• The trial before the Sanhedrin: All three Synoptic Gospels record this third Jewish trial (Matthew 27:1; Mark 15:1; Luke 22:66-71) in which Jesus restates His deity and is then sent to Pilate.
• The trial before Pilate: All four Gospels record this trial (Matthew 27:1-2, 11-14; Mark 15:1-5; Luke 23:1-7; John 18:28-32, 33-38), with John giving an extended account. Pilate finds nothing worthy of death to condemn, sending Jesus to King Herod.
• The trial before Herod: Only Luke records this trial (Luke 23:6-12). During it, Herod hopes to see a miracle, but Jesus answers to none of the charges against Him. Herod and his men then mock Jesus and send Him back to Pilate wearing a kingly robe.
• The second trial before Pilate: All four Gospels record this trial (Matthew 27:15-23; Mark 15:6-14; Luke 23:13-22; John 18:39-19:6). During Pilate’s final trial, He claims to have nothing to do with the punishment of Jesus, and leaves the fate of Him to the crowd. He does this by allowing them to choose freedom for Jesus or to release a known criminal, Barabbas.
• The trial of the Jewish people (Matthew 27:22-23, Mark 15:13-14, Luke 23:21–23, John 19:6, 15): This is arguably the most heartbreaking of all the trials, in which the crowd of Jews that gathered for Passover shout "Crucify! Crucify!" at Jesus. After all these trials, Jesus is then sentenced to a Roman crucifixion—perhaps the most torturous death one can ever experience.

IMPLICATIONS FOR TODAY

In total, Jesus endured three formal Jewish trials and three formal Roman trials. As such, both Jews and Gentiles were responsible for the call to put Jesus to death. Further, many laws were broken in the process of the trial according to Jewish legal regulations: No trial was to be held during the Passover week. Also, each member was to vote individually (the Jews voted as a group). Third, the Jews had no authority to execute a person, yet Pilate consented based on their recommendation. Additionally, the trials were not to be held at night, yet Jesus was arrested and tried at night. Lastly, the tried party (Jesus) was to have a representative, but Jesus had no one. Ultimately, the trials and death of Jesus were illegal according to earthly laws and a horrific mockery of the perfect, sinless Messiah.

UNDERSTAND

• Jesus had seven trials before His crucifixion.
• Jesus was tried by three Roman representatives (by Pilate twice) and three Jewish leaders.
• Jesus’ trials show that Jews and Gentiles were responsible for His crucifixion, but ultimately, God used those circumstances for our salvation.

REFLECT

• How do Jesus’ trials and the pain He endured impact how you endure persecution, even soft persecution, in your life?
• What do Jesus’ many trials show you about how God uses even painful circumstances?
• What can you learn from Jesus’ reactions to His accusers?

ENGAGE

• How might the numerous trials Jesus endured help to educate others who blame one group for His crucifixion?
• How can Christians use the many accounts of Jesus’ trials to communicate to unbelievers God’s goodness and purposes even amid suffering?
• What can Jesus’ reactions to His trials teach believers about how to endure suffering?