1. John 18-19
Jesus on Trial
February 2, 2014
First Baptist Church
Jackson, Mississippi
USA

2. Book Reference
THE DARKNESS AND THE DAWN:
Empowered by The Tragedy and Triumph
of the Cross
By
Charles Swindoll
2001

3. THE DARKNESS AND THE DAWN
Chapter 5
“The Six Trials of Jesus”
Charles Swindoll

4. THE SETTING OF JOHN 18-19
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Crowds in Jerusalem for Passover – 2.7 Million
Festive spirit about religious celebration
Jesus was the talk of the town
Religious leaders did not want disruption
Advance planning for Jesus’ public demise
Roman rule superseded Jewish/Hebrew law

5. The Jewish Court System
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Designed to favor the accused
Multiple witnesses’ testimony must agree
Blasphemy was a capital offense.
It was difficult to get a conviction on a capital
offense.
• Death by stoning was the method of
execution.

6. KANGAROO COURT
• A mock court in which the principles of law and
justice are disregarded or perverted.
• Term originated in the 1849 Gold Rush in which there
were many “claim jumping miners”.
• Justice was proceeding “by leaps” as a kangaroo
would jump.
• “American” term only.
• The trials of Jesus would fit the definition of a
Kangaroo Court.

7. Lawyer Sues Israel, Italy, King Herod
and Emperor Tiberius…August 6, 2013
• Lawyer Dola Indidis from Kenya argues that the trial of
Jesus was unlawful.
• Filed a suit with the International Court of Justice, the
judicial branch of the UN.
• “I filed the case because it’s my duty to uphold the
dignity of Jesus and I have gone to the ICJ to seek
justice for the man from Nazareth. His selective and
malicious prosecution violated his human rights
through judicial misconduct, abuse of office, bias and
prejudice.”
• The ICJ said they have no jurisdiction for this case.

8. The Prophecy of Jesus’ Trials
• The Messiah would be betrayed by a friend:
9 Even
my close friend, someone I trusted, one who
shared my bread, has turned against me. Psalms 41:9
18 “I
am not referring to all of you; I know those I have
chosen. But this is to fulfill this passage of Scripture: ‘He
who shared my bread has turned against me.’ … 21 After
he had said this, Jesus was troubled in spirit and testified,
“Very truly I tell you, one of you is going to betray me.”
John 13:18, 21

9. The Prophecy of Jesus’ Trials
• The Messiah will be sold for 30 pieces of silver
12 I
told them, “If you think it best, give me my
pay; but if not, keep it.” So they paid me thirty
pieces of silver. 13 And the LORD said to me,
“Throw it to the potter”—the handsome price at
which they valued me! So I took the thirty
pieces of silver and threw them to the potter at
the house of the LORD. Zechariah 11:12-13

10. The Prophecy of Jesus’ Trials
• The Messiah will be sold for 30 pieces of
silver: Fulfilled
3 When
Judas, who had betrayed him, saw that
Jesus was condemned, he was seized with
remorse and returned the thirty pieces of silver
to the chief priests and the elders. 4 “I have
sinned,” he said, “for I have betrayed innocent
blood.” Matthew 27:3-4a

11. The Prophecy of Jesus’ Trials
• The Messiah will be forsaken by His disciples
7 “Awake,
sword, against my shepherd, against the man
who is close to me!” declares the LORD Almighty. “Strike
the shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered, and I will
turn my hand against the little ones. Zechariah 13:7
31 Then
Jesus told them, “This very night you will all fall
away on account of me, for it is written:
“ ‘I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock
will be scattered.’ Matthew 26:31

12. The Prophecy of Jesus’ Trials
• The Messiah will be accused by false witnesses:
Ruthless witnesses come forward; they question me
on things I know nothing about. Psalms 35:11
Many testified falsely against him, but their
statements did not agree. Then some stood up and
gave this false testimony against him: Mark 14:5657

13. The Prophecy of Jesus’ Trial
• The Messiah will be silent in front of his accusers:
He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open
his mouth; he was led like a lamb to the slaughter,
and as a sheep before its shearers is silent, so he
did not open his mouth. Isaiah 53:7
Then the high priest stood up and said to Jesus,
“Are you not going to answer? What is this
testimony that these men are bringing against
you?” But Jesus remained silent. Matt 26:62-63

14. The Prophecy of Jesus’ Trials
• The Messiah will be beaten, mocked and spat
upon:
6I
offered my back to those who beat me, my
cheeks to those who pulled out my beard; I did not
hide my face from mocking and spitting. Isaiah 50:6
67 Then
they spit in his face and struck him with
their fists. Others slapped him 68 and said,
“Prophesy to us, Messiah. Who hit you?” Matthew
26:67-68

15. The Prophecy of Jesus’ Trials
• The Messiah will be sneered at and mocked:
7 All
who see me mock me; they hurl insults,
shaking their heads. Psalms 22:7
11 Then
Herod and his soldiers ridiculed and
mocked him. Luke 23:11

16. The Prophecy of Jesus’ Trials
• The Messiah will be rejected:
3 He
was despised and rejected by mankind, a man of
suffering, and familiar with pain. Like one from whom
people hide their faces he was despised, and we held him
in low esteem.
Isaiah 53:3
18 But
the whole crowd shouted, “Away with this man!
Release Barabbas to us!” … 20 Wanting to release Jesus,
Pilate appealed to them again. 21 But they kept shouting,
“Crucify him! Crucify him!” Luke 23:18, 20-21

17. TIME MEASUREMENT IN 1ST CENTURY
• Roman & Gentile world - new day begins 1
second after midnight.
• Jewish World – “watches” of 3 hour segments
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–
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–
1st watch begins at 6 PM (6 PM – 9 PM)
2nd watch (9 PM – 12 Midnight)
3rd watch (12 AM – 3 AM)
4th watch (3 AM – 6 AM)
6 AM – 7 AM is 1st Hour
7AM – 8 AM is 2nd Hour, etc.
12 Noon is 6th Hour

18. JESUS’ ARREST AND TRIAL #1
John 18:12-14
Then the detachment of soldiers with its
commander and the Jewish officials arrested
Jesus. They bound him and brought him first to
Annas, who was the father-in-law of Caiaphas,
the high priest that year. Caiaphas was the one
who had advised the Jewish leaders that it
would be good if one man died for the people.
John 18:12-14

19. JESUS’ TRIAL #1
John 18:19-23
Meanwhile, the high priest questioned Jesus about his
disciples and his teaching. “I have spoken openly to the
world,” Jesus replied. “I always taught in synagogues or at
the temple, where all the Jews come together. I said
nothing in secret. Why question me? Ask those who
heard me. Surely they know what I said.” When Jesus said
this, one of the officials nearby slapped him in the face.
“Is this the way you answer the high priest?” he
demanded. “If I said something wrong,” Jesus replied,
“testify as to what is wrong. But if I spoke the truth, why
did you strike me?” Then Annas sent him bound to
Caiaphas the high priest. John 18:19-23

20. TRIAL #1 - Annas
• 1st Jewish Trial was probably 2 AM (3rd watch of night)
• Annas had been High Priest for 17 prior years
• Was High Priest when Jesus drove money changers
from temple with a whip in John 2:15
• Jesus charged with “irreverence to High Priest”
• No witnesses to testify to charges as required

21. TRIAL #2 – BEFORE CAIAPHAS
Matthew 26:57-59
57 Those
who had arrested Jesus took him to
Caiaphas the high priest, where the teachers of the
law and the elders had assembled. 58 But Peter
followed him at a distance, right up to the courtyard
of the high priest. He entered and sat down with
the guards to see the outcome.
59 The chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin were
looking for false evidence against Jesus so that they
could put him to death. Matt. 26:57-59

22. Matthew 26:60-62
Trial #2 Continues…
60 But
they did not find any, though many false
witnesses came forward. Finally two came
forward 61 and declared, “This fellow said, ‘I am
able to destroy the temple of God and rebuild it
in three days.’ ” 62 Then the high priest stood up
and said to Jesus, “Are you not going to answer?
What is this testimony that these men are
bringing against you?” Matthew 26:60-62

23. #2 - JESUS BEFORE CAIAPHAS
Matthew 26:63-64
63 But
Jesus remained silent. The high priest said
to him, “I charge you under oath by the living
God: Tell us if you are the Messiah, the Son of
God.” 64 “You have said so,” Jesus replied. “But I
say to all of you: From now on you will see the
Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the
Mighty One and coming on the clouds of
heaven.” Matt 26:63-64

24. TRIAL #2 – Continues
Matthew 26:65-68
65 Then
the high priest tore his clothes and said,
“He has spoken blasphemy! Why do we need
any more witnesses? Look, now you have heard
the blasphemy. 66 What do you think?” “He is
worthy of death,” they answered. Then they spit
in his face and struck him with their fists. Others
slapped him and said, “Prophesy to us, Messiah.
Who hit you?” Matt 26:65-68

25. JESUS BEFORE CAIAPHAS – TRIAL #2
• Jewish Trial before the High Priest at 3 AM
• Jesus obligated to answer since “under oath”
• Charged with BLASPHEMY
– “An attitude of disrespect that finds expression in an
act directed toward the character of God.
– 3rd Commandment – Misuse of God’s name
– Punishable by stoning to death
– Jews under Roman rule could not carry out the death
penalty

26. TRIAL #3 – Sanhedrin
Luke 22:66-69
66 At
daybreak the council of the elders of the
people, both the chief priests and the teachers
of the law, met together, and Jesus was led
before them. 67 “If you are the Messiah,” they
said, “tell us.” Jesus answered, “If I tell you, you
will not believe me, 68 and if I asked you, you
would not answer. 69 But from now on, the Son
of Man will be seated at the right hand of the
mighty God.” Luke 22:66-69

27. TRIAL #3 – Sanhedrin
Luke 22:70-71
70 They
all asked, “Are you then the Son of God?”
He replied, “You say that I am.” 71 Then they
said, “Why do we need any more testimony? We
have heard it from his own lips.” Luke 22:70-71

28. TRIAL #3 – THE SANHEDRIN
• 71 Members – Highest Jewish Council
• Vote individually – youngest to oldest
• No night verdicts – Trial began at 6:00 AM
• No immediate verdicts –
• Charge of Blasphemy

29. The Sanhedrin

30. THE SANHEDRIN DILEMMA
• Unable to carry out the Jewish Court penalty of death
by stoning because of Roman Rule
• Needed to carry Jesus before Roman authorities in
Roman Courts for death penalty
• Charges against Jesus switched from BLASPHEMY to
TREASON.
• Romans could execute for TREASON, but not for
BLASPHEMY

31. TRIAL #4 – JESUS BEFORE PILATE
Luke 23:1-4
1 Then
the whole assembly rose and led him off
to Pilate. 2 And they began to accuse him,
saying, “We have found this man subverting our
nation. He opposes payment of taxes to Caesar
and claims to be Messiah, a king.” 3 So Pilate
asked Jesus, “Are you the king of the Jews?”
“You have said so,” Jesus replied. 4 Then Pilate
announced to the chief priests and the crowd, “I
find no basis for a charge against this man.” Luke
23:1-4

32. TRIAL #4 – JESUS BEFORE PILATE
Luke 23:5-7
5 But
they insisted, “He stirs up the people all
over Judea by his teaching. He started in Galilee
and has come all the way here.” 6 On hearing
this, Pilate asked if the man was a Galilean.
7 When he learned that Jesus was under Herod’s
jurisdiction, he sent him to Herod, who was also
in Jerusalem at that time. Luke 23:5-7

33. TRIAL #4 - PILATE
• Roman Governor of Jerusalem area
• Pilate was very anti-Semitic; “the wolf for Jewish blood”
• In Jerusalem to keep peace during Passover
• Was currently under investigation for mistreatment of Jews
• Was accommodating to Jews because of the accusations
• Was a rival of Herod – tried to undermine each other

34. Pilate

35. TRIAL #5 – HEROD
Luke 23:8-10
8 When
Herod saw Jesus, he was greatly pleased,
because for a long time he had been wanting to
see him. From what he had heard about him, he
hoped to see him perform a sign of some sort.
9 He plied him with many questions, but Jesus
gave him no answer. 10 The chief priests and the
teachers of the law were standing there,
vehemently accusing him. Luke 23:8-10

36. TRIAL #5 – HEROD
Luke 23:11-12
11 Then
Herod and his soldiers ridiculed and
mocked him. Dressing him in an elegant robe,
they sent him back to Pilate. 12 That day Herod
and Pilate became friends —before this they
had been enemies. Luke 23:11-12

37. HEROD ANTIPAS
• Son of Herod the Great – Killed babies in
Bethlehem when Jesus was born
• Ruled over Galilee – Area north of Jerusalem
• Had John the Baptist beheaded
• Jesus had called him a fox when Pharisees tried
to scare him out of Galilee

38. TRIAL #5 - HEROD
• 7 AM
• Pilate did NOT rule Jesus guilty of TREASON
• Herod was in Jerusalem to assist with crowd
control
• Looked upon Jesus as a magician

39. TRIAL #6 – BACK TO PILATE
Matthew 27:1-2
1 Early
in the morning, all the chief priests and
the elders of the people made their plans how
to have Jesus executed. 2 So they bound him, led
him away and handed him over to Pilate the
governor. Matt 27:1-2

40. TRAIL #6 – BACK TO PILATE
Matthew 27:11-14
11 Meanwhile
Jesus stood before the governor,
and the governor asked him, “Are you the king
of the Jews?” “You have said so,” Jesus replied.
12 When he was accused by the chief priests and
the elders, he gave no answer. 13 Then Pilate
asked him, “Don’t you hear the testimony they
are bringing against you?” 14 But Jesus made no
reply, not even to a single charge—to the great
amazement of the governor. Matt 27:11-14

41. TRIAL #6 Continues…
Matthew 27:15-19
15 Now
it was the governor’s custom at the festival to
release a prisoner chosen by the crowd. 16 At that time
they had a well-known prisoner whose name was Jesus
Barabbas. 17 So when the crowd had gathered, Pilate
asked them, “Which one do you want me to release to
you: Jesus Barabbas, or Jesus who is called the Messiah?”
18 For he knew it was out of self-interest that they had
handed Jesus over to him. 19 While Pilate was sitting on
the judge’s seat, his wife sent him this message: “Don’t
have anything to do with that innocent man, for I have
suffered a great deal today in a dream because of him.”
Matt 27:15-19

42. TRIAL #6 Continues…
Matthew 27:20-23
20 But
the chief priests and the elders persuaded
the crowd to ask for Barabbas and to have Jesus
executed. 21 “Which of the two do you want me
to release to you?” asked the governor.
“Barabbas,” they answered. 22 “What shall I do,
then, with Jesus who is called the Messiah?”
Pilate asked. They all answered, “Crucify him!”
23 “Why? What crime has he committed?” asked
Pilate. But they shouted all the louder, “Crucify
him!” Matt 27:20-23

43. TRIAL #6 Continues…
Matthew 27:24-26
24 When
Pilate saw that he was getting nowhere,
but that instead an uproar was starting, he took
water and washed his hands in front of the
crowd. “I am innocent of this man’s blood,” he
said. “It is your responsibility!” 25 All the people
answered, “His blood is on us and on our
children!” 26 Then he released Barabbas to them.
But he had Jesus flogged, and handed him over
to be crucified. Matt 27:24-26

44. TRIAL #6 – BACK TO PILATE
• Herod had no accusations, just mockery
• Jesus now wearing one of Herod’s old robes
• Now 7:30 AM
• God’s plan continues to unfold ………

45. WHY?????
Isaiah 53:5-6
5 But he was pierced for our transgressions, he
was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment
that brought us peace was on him, and by his
wounds we are healed. 6 We all, like sheep, have
gone astray, each of us has turned to our own
way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of
us all.

46. JESUS’ PRAYER FOR HIMSELF
John 17:1-5
1 ….He looked toward heaven and prayed:
“Father, the hour has come. Glorify your Son, that your
Son may glorify you. 2 For you granted him authority over
all people that he might give eternal life to all those you
have given him. 3 Now this is eternal life: that they know
you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have
sent. 4 I have brought you glory on earth by finishing the
work you gave me to do. 5 And now, Father, glorify me in
your presence with the glory I had with you before the
world began.