Passion of Christ Part 2 The Trials of Jesus

The Passion of Christ According John

Part Two:The Trials of Jesus

Bible Reading:John 18: 1-40 (page 766)

1Tuesday, 15 April 2014

The Arrest

A"er the Passover meal Jesus took His disciples to the olive grove called Gethsemane.

Some <me around the middle of the night Judas arrived guiding the soldiers.


The Arrest“Then Judas, having received a detachment of troops, and officers from the chief priests and Pharisees, came there with lanterns, torches, and weapons.” (John 18:3, NKJV)

Greek original makes clear there was a cohort of Roman soldiers, a Roman officer and a squad of Temple guards.


The ArrestThere was an arrangement between the Roman Prefect, Pilate and the High Priest, Caiaphas.

Jerusalem city was packed with pilgrims.

Pilate who normally resided in Ceasarea was there.

King Herod Agrippa was there with all his court.


The PeoplePon$us Pilate: Appointed by Emperor Tiberius and the Senate in Rome in AD 26.

As Prefect (Military Governor) Pilate’s job was to keep the peace and Roman law.

Caiaphas: appointed High Priest in AD 18 by Pilate’s predecessor, Governor Valerius Gratus.

Caiaphas and Pilate co‐operated out of self interest.


The PeopleJesus steps forward so as to protect His disciples.

In the circumstances it was amazing none of the disciples were arrested as well.

Jesus had prayed before for their safety.

Peter’s brave but stupid sword play was unnecessary and dangerous.


Revelation

The soldiers drew back and fell down. Why?

Jesus used the Divine Name of God “I Am”.

This was a brief revela<on that it was Jesus, the eternal Logos, Who was being arrested.

7

I AM

Tuesday, 15 April 2014

Trial before AnnasAnnas was appointed high priest in AD 6. He was deposed by Governor Valerius Gratus in AD 15.

Under Jewish law a high priest was appointed for life. To some Jews Annas was s<ll regarded as the High Priest.

He had five sons who became high priests.

The Annas family was powerful, rich and corrupt.


Trial before Annas“The high priest then asked Jesus about His disciples and His doctrine.Jesus answered him, “I spoke openly to the world. I always taught in synagogues and in the temple, where the Jews always meet, and in secret I have said nothing. (John 18:19–21, NKJV)

Annas was trying to get Jesus to incriminate Himself.

This was illegal under Jewish law.


Trials of JesusJesus was tried before:

• Annas (Jn.18:19)• Caiaphas and the Sanhedrin

(Mt. 26:57)• Pilate (Lk. 23:1)• King Herod (Lk. 23:7)• Pilate (Jn. 18:28)

At none of these trials could any evidence be found against Jesus.Jesus died of the cross not guilty of any crime or sin.


Trials of Jesus“And they made His grave with the wicked and with a rich man in His death, although He had done no violence, and there was no deceit in His mouth.” (Isaiah 53:9, ESV)

Isaiah prophesied this 600 years before Christ.


Denying Christ“Simon Peter followed Jesus, and so did another disciple. Since that disciple was known to the high priest, he entered with Jesus into the courtyard of the high priest,” (John 18:15, ESV)

Only two disciples were brave enough to follow Jesus: John and Peter.


Denying ChristThe servant girl at the door said to Peter, “You also are not one of this man’s disciples, are you?” He said, “I am not.”(John 18:17, ESV)

The girl’s ques<on expected a “No” answer.

What did Peter fear?Jesus had prayed for their safety.

Peter lost the opportunity to tell them the truth about Jesus.


Jesus and Pilate


Jesus and PilatePilate would have been fully briefed about Jesus.



The Prefect normally would try only capital cases: only he could sentence a man to crucifixion.




The Sanhedrin had the power to stone a man to death for blasphemy but they had been unable to convict Jesus of this.





They could charge Jesus with the only thing He admijed, that He was the Messiah: a claim that was not an offence under Jewish law.





They could charge Jesus with the only thing He admijed, that He was the Messiah: a claim that was not an offence under Jewish law.

This claim was twisted into a charge that Jesus had declared Himself to be a King which was a capital offence under Roman law.


Jesus and PilatePilate asks Jesus directly “Are you a king?”



Jesus explains the nature of His spiritual kingdom in a way a Roman administrator might understand.




Pilate is interested only in one thing: Has Jesus commijed an offence under Roman law.





Pilate asks poli<cal ques<ons. Jesus answers with spiritual truths.





Pilate asks poli<cal ques<ons. Jesus answers with spiritual truths.

Pilate finds Jesus not guilty of any offence and seeks to release Him against the will of the Chief Priests.


Prophetic Fulfilment“This happened so that the words Jesus had spoken indica<ng the kind of death He was going to die would be fulfilled.” (John 18:32, NIV84)

Each person was ac<ng freely in their own interests and duty.

In doing so God’s plan of salva<on was brought to its long foreseen climax.


Spiritual

Passion of Christ Part 2 The Trials of Jesus