Bible Stories for Adults

Jesus Before the High Priest

Matthew 26:57-68; John 18:12-14, 19-24

Next Week - Peter Denies Jesus (Matthew 26:69-75; John 18:15-18, 25-27)
Bible Words to Remember:
You do not realize that it is better for you that one man die for the people than that the whole nation perish. John 11:50

How did people in Jerusalem feel about the Galilean rabbi who came to celebrate Passover?
John 12:12-13
What event preceding Jesus' arrival helped His fame spread in Jerusalem?
John 12:17-18

How did the Jewish leaders in Jerusalem feel about Jesus' popularity?
John 12:19
Why didn't the Jewish leaders believe in Jesus even after seeing His miraculous signs?
John 12:37-40
Certainly a few leaders believed. Did any of them try to convince the others?
John 12:42-43

Were the Jewish leaders afraid that Jesus would upset God and bring His wrath?
John 11:47-48
What did the leader of the Sadducees say in selfishness that prophesied of Jesus' purpose?
John 11:49-50
How could Caiaphas coincidentally say something so pointing?
John 11:51
Did John feel anything needed to be added to Caiaphas' prophesy for the Jewish nation?
John 11:52
Did anything result from this meeting of the Sanhedrin?
John 11:53

How were the Jewish leaders finally able to find Jesus without having a crowd around?
John 18:1-3
Was Jesus expecting them?
John 18:4-5
Knowing what lay ahead for Him, what was Jesus most concerned about?
John 18:8-9
Since Jesus was so cooperative, did the soldiers just ask Jesus to come with them?
John 18:12

Where did the temple police take Jesus?
John 18:13

Annas - High priest from 6 to 15 AD
Considered by Jews as true high priest since appointment was for life by Jewish law
Found it more profitable to direct the high priest than to be the high priest
Had Romans appoint his 5 sons, a son-in-law (Caiaphas) & a grandson as HP
Lived in the palace of the high priest - large building with central courtyard
Extremely wealthy - Owned famous Bazaars of Annas
Had monopoly on sale of sacrifice animals & on stalls for moneychangers
Jesus' cleansing of the temple would have been seen as a threat to Annas
Given great power by Romans because he gave money to key Roman leaders

Would Annas have any trouble getting his son-in-law to get rid of this Jesus?
John 18:14

What kind of information did Annas want from Jesus?
John 18:19
What secret ideas did Jesus reveal to Annas?
John 18:20-21
What was significant about Jesus' response?
Isaiah 45:19; 48:16

How did the Jewish leaders feel about Jesus standing up for His truth before Annas?
John 18:22
How did Jesus use this violent action to further demonstrate His truth?
John 18:23
What did Annas do when it became obvious that Jesus was too wise for Him to handle?
John 18:24

How did Jesus and His guards pass time while waiting for the Sanhedrin to be gathered?
Luke 22:63-65
What passion prophesy did this begin to fulfill?
Isaiah 50:6

The Sanhedrin - The highest leadership council of the Jews
70 select leaders (chief priests, scribes & elders) plus high priest appointed for life
Numbers 11:16-17
Given civil powers from Rome; Final court of appeal for Mosaic law
Power to execute until 30AD; Death sentence then needed Roman okay

Would Jesus find justice and protection of the innocent before the Sanhedrin?
Matthew 26:57, 59
Couldn't the Sanhedrin make any ruling they wanted? What kind of evidence did they need?
Deuteronomy 17:6
As active as Jesus had been, how many sets of witnesses came forward with stories?
Matthew 26:60a
By pushing hard for anything that could convict Jesus, what commandment did they break?
Exodus 20:16

Was the Sanhedrin ever able to find two people who would agree on incriminating evidence?
Matthew 26:60b-61
Had Jesus made such a threat?
John 2:18-20
Was Jesus even speaking of the same temple?
John 2:21-22
Had the Jewish leaders just misunderstood what Jesus had said?
Matthew 27:62-63

Knowing that the leaders really understood what He had said, how did Jesus respond?
Matthew 26:62-63a
What prophesy did Jesus' response begin to fulfill?
Isaiah 53:7

Realizing this twisted evidence couldn't hold up before the Romans, what did Caiaphas try?
Matthew 26:63b
What was the purpose of Caiaphas saying, I charge you under oath by the living God?
Leviticus 5:1
How did Jesus point out that they already knew and had rejected His answer?
Luke 22:67-68
How did Jesus then answer Caiaphas' question even deeper than they expected?
Matthew 26:64

How did the Sanhedrin react to Jesus' reply?
Matthew 26:65-66
How serious was a charge of blaspheme by calling one's self God?
Leviticus 24:14-16
How did Caiaphas show he was trying to convict Jesus rather than keep God's Law?
Leviticus 21:10
Was a death sentence enough to satisfy the anger of the Jewish leaders?
Matthew 26:67-68

After finding Jesus guilty of blasphemy, what was the next step to have Him executed?
Matthew 27:1-2
Will pick up the story here in two weeks

Innocent until proven guilty?
Mark 14:1-2
Religious leaders carefully screen witnesses to ensure justice
Mark 14:56-57

Capital cases must begin with reasons for acquittal
Luke 22:66-67
In capital cases, all can argue for acquittal but not all can argue for conviction
Mark 14:55
Capital trials must be held in the daytime and verdicts reached in the daytime
John 18:28
Capital verdicts for acquittal could come the same day, conviction not until the next day
Mark 14:64; 15:1

Serious charges are to be tried only in the Sanhedrin's regular temple meeting place
Luke 22:54
Defendants are not required to incriminate themselves
Matthew 26:63-65