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In this lesson:
In our last lesson (56), Jesus was betrayed and arrested. Now, Jesus stands trial before Caiaphas, the high priest and the Sanhedrin (26:57-68). Peter denies knowing Jesus (26:69-75). Study Tip: It helps to study more than one Bible translation. Scroll back and forth between the "King James Bible" and the "New Living Translation" below. Also, check the margin notes in blue and click on the links. |
The Sanhedrin in session.
The accused stood in the center in front of the two clerks. (By an unknown artist) |
What was the Sanhedrin?
The Sanhedrin, referred to as "the council" in verse 26:59, was a powerful Jewish high court composed of seventy-one members, including priests, elders, scribes, and other Jewish religious leaders (Matthew 26:3; 26:59; Mark 14:53). It was led by the High Priest and was responsible for settling religious disputes and overseeing all matters pertaining to Judaism. The Sanhedrin was granted far-reaching authority by the Roman occupiers and even had its own police force to uphold its decisions. They had the power to arrest, but because they had abused their authority and used trumped-up charges to execute people friendly to Rome, they were no longer allowed to issue the death penalty (John 18:31). For capital punishment, they needed Roman approval, and the final Roman authority was Pontus Pilate. The Sanhedrin vanished forever when Rome destroyed Jerusalem in AD 70.
The Sanhedrin, referred to as "the council" in verse 26:59, was a powerful Jewish high court composed of seventy-one members, including priests, elders, scribes, and other Jewish religious leaders (Matthew 26:3; 26:59; Mark 14:53). It was led by the High Priest and was responsible for settling religious disputes and overseeing all matters pertaining to Judaism. The Sanhedrin was granted far-reaching authority by the Roman occupiers and even had its own police force to uphold its decisions. They had the power to arrest, but because they had abused their authority and used trumped-up charges to execute people friendly to Rome, they were no longer allowed to issue the death penalty (John 18:31). For capital punishment, they needed Roman approval, and the final Roman authority was Pontus Pilate. The Sanhedrin vanished forever when Rome destroyed Jerusalem in AD 70.
The Gospel According to St. Matthew
The King James Bible
The King James Bible
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Matthew 26:57-75
Jesus on trial 57 And they that had laid hold on Jesus led him away to Caiaphas the high priest, where the scribes and the elders were assembled. 58 But Peter followed him afar off unto the high priest's palace, and went in, and sat with the servants, to see the end. 59 Now the chief priests, and elders, and all the council, sought false witness against Jesus, to put him to death; 60 But found none: yea, though many false witnesses came, yet found they none. At the last came two false witnesses, 61 And said, This fellow said, I am able to destroy the temple of God, and to build it in three days. 62 And the high priest arose, and said unto him, Answerest thou nothing? what is it which these witness against thee? 63 But Jesus held his peace, And the high priest answered and said unto him, I adjure thee by the living God, that thou tell us whether thou be the Christ, the Son of God. 64 Jesus saith unto him, Thou hast said: nevertheless I say unto you, Hereafter shall ye see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven. 65 Then the high priest rent his clothes, saying, He hath spoken blasphemy; what further need have we of witnesses? behold, now ye have heard his blasphemy. 66 What think ye? They answered and said, He is guilty of death. 67 Then did they spit in his face, and buffeted him; and others smote him with the palms of their hands, 68 Saying, Prophesy unto us, thou Christ, Who is he that smote thee? 69 Now Peter sat without in the palace: and a damsel came unto him, saying, Thou also wast with Jesus of Galilee. 70 But he denied before them all, saying, I know not what thou sayest. 71 And when he was gone out into the porch, another maid saw him, and said unto them that were there, This fellow was also with Jesus of Nazareth. 72 And again he denied with an oath, I do not know the man. 73 And after a while came unto him they that stood by, and said to Peter, Surely thou also art one of them; for thy speech bewrayeth thee. 74 Then began he to curse and to swear, saying, I know not the man. And immediately the cock crew. 75 And Peter remembered the word of Jesus, which said unto him, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. And he went out, and wept bitterly. |
Margin notes:
"Led him away." (26:57) - The arresting mob took Jesus to stand trial before the Sanhedrin and the High Priest, Caiaphas. "Peter followed him afar off." (26:58) - Out of loyalty, Peter followed the mob as they took Jesus to the high priest. But out of fear, he kept his distance and stayed out of sight. "To see the end." (26:58) - Peter wanted to see what would happen to Jesus but didn't want to endanger himself. "Sought false witness against Jesus." (26:59) - The high priests paid people to lie about Jesus. "But found none." (26:60) - The Sanhedrin couldn't find a credible witness to convict Christ. The bribed witnesses contradicted each other (Mark 14:56). "At the last came two false witnesses." (26:60) - The Mosaic Law required at least two witnesses to testify against a defendant (Deuteronomy 19:15). "This fellow said, I am able to destroy the temple of God, and to build it in three days." (26:61) - The two witnesses misrepresented Jesus' words. The temple Jesus referred to was His crucified body, which would be resurrected after three days (John 2:19). "But Jesus held his peace." (26:63) - Jesus refused to answer the false charges brought against Him. Just as prophesized six hundred years earlier in Isaiah 53:7. "I adjure thee." (26:63) - Mean "I order you." "The Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven." (26:64) - Jesus is telling the Sanhedrin that He is the Son of God and will return, as mentioned in Revelation 1:7. Notice the similarity between Jesus' words here and the prophecy in Daniel 7:13-14. "The high priest rent his clothes." (26:65) - "The high priest tore his clothes." To tear one's clothes was an outward display of angst or outrage. "He hath spoken blasphemy." (26:65) - Jesus is the only person ever born who could say they are God and not be blaspheming. "He is guilty of death." (26:66) - According to the Mosaic Law, the penalty for blasphemy was death (Leviticus 24:16; John 19:7). "They spit in his face, and buffeted him; and others smote him with the palms of their hands." (26:67) - "They spat in His face and punched Him, while others slapped Him with the palms of their hands." This physical abuse was foretold centuries earlier in Isaiah 50:6. Jesus will be spat upon and beaten again before He is crucified (27:30). "Peter sat without in the palace." (26:69) - "Peter sat outside in the palace courtyard." "Thy speech bewrayeth thee." (26:73) - "Your accent betrays you." Galileans had a distinct accent. "And Peter remembered the word of Jesus." (26:75) - Although Matthew doesn't mention it, Luke 22:60-61 tells us that Jesus was there, looking Peter in the eyes when he denied knowing Him for the third time. Peter ran from the scene and wept (Luke 22:62). |
New Living Translation
Matthew 26:57-75
Jesus before the Council
57 Then the people who had arrested Jesus led him to the home of Caiaphas, the high priest, where the teachers of religious law and the elders had gathered.
58 Meanwhile, Peter followed him at a distance and came to the high priest's courtyard. He went in and sat with the guards and waited to see how it would all end.
59 Inside, the leading priests and the entire high council were trying to find witnesses who would lie about Jesus, so they could put him to death.
60 But even though they found many who agreed to give false witness, they could not use anyone's testimony. Finally, two men came forward
61 who declared, "This man 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, "Well, aren't you going to answer these charges? What do you have to say for yourself?"
63 But Jesus remained silent. Then the high priest said to him, "I demand in the name of the living God-tell us if you are the Messiah, the Son of God."
64 Jesus replied, "You have said it. And in the future you will see the Son of Man seated in the place of power at God's right hand and coming on the clouds of heaven."
65 Then the high priest tore his clothing to show his horror and said, "Blasphemy! Why do we need other witnesses? You have all heard his blasphemy.
66 What is your verdict?"
"Guilty!" they shouted. "He deserves to die!"
67 Then they began to spit in Jesus' face and beat him with their fists. And some slapped him,
68 jeering, "Prophesy to us, you Messiah! Who hit you that time?"
Peter Denies Jesus
69 Meanwhile, Peter was sitting outside in the courtyard. A servant girl came over and said to him, "You were one of those with Jesus the Galilean."
70 But Peter denied it in front of everyone. "I don't know what you're talking about," he said.
71 Later, out by the gate, another servant girl noticed him and said to those standing around, "This man was with Jesus of Nazareth."
72 Again Peter denied it, this time with an oath. "I don't even know the man," he said.
73 A little later some of the other bystanders came over to Peter and said, "You must be one of them; we can tell by your Galilean accent."
74 Peter swore, "A curse on me if I'm lying-I don't know the man!" And immediately the rooster crowed.
75 Suddenly, Jesus' words flashed through Peter's mind: "Before the rooster crows, you will deny three times that you even know me." And he went away, weeping bitterly.
This second Bible text from the "New Living Translation" (Tyndale House, Publishers, Wheaton, Illinois) is a paraphrase and not an accurate word-for-word translation of the Bible. However, it is a helpful tool when read with the "King James Version."
Jesus before the Council
57 Then the people who had arrested Jesus led him to the home of Caiaphas, the high priest, where the teachers of religious law and the elders had gathered.
58 Meanwhile, Peter followed him at a distance and came to the high priest's courtyard. He went in and sat with the guards and waited to see how it would all end.
59 Inside, the leading priests and the entire high council were trying to find witnesses who would lie about Jesus, so they could put him to death.
60 But even though they found many who agreed to give false witness, they could not use anyone's testimony. Finally, two men came forward
61 who declared, "This man 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, "Well, aren't you going to answer these charges? What do you have to say for yourself?"
63 But Jesus remained silent. Then the high priest said to him, "I demand in the name of the living God-tell us if you are the Messiah, the Son of God."
64 Jesus replied, "You have said it. And in the future you will see the Son of Man seated in the place of power at God's right hand and coming on the clouds of heaven."
65 Then the high priest tore his clothing to show his horror and said, "Blasphemy! Why do we need other witnesses? You have all heard his blasphemy.
66 What is your verdict?"
"Guilty!" they shouted. "He deserves to die!"
67 Then they began to spit in Jesus' face and beat him with their fists. And some slapped him,
68 jeering, "Prophesy to us, you Messiah! Who hit you that time?"
Peter Denies Jesus
69 Meanwhile, Peter was sitting outside in the courtyard. A servant girl came over and said to him, "You were one of those with Jesus the Galilean."
70 But Peter denied it in front of everyone. "I don't know what you're talking about," he said.
71 Later, out by the gate, another servant girl noticed him and said to those standing around, "This man was with Jesus of Nazareth."
72 Again Peter denied it, this time with an oath. "I don't even know the man," he said.
73 A little later some of the other bystanders came over to Peter and said, "You must be one of them; we can tell by your Galilean accent."
74 Peter swore, "A curse on me if I'm lying-I don't know the man!" And immediately the rooster crowed.
75 Suddenly, Jesus' words flashed through Peter's mind: "Before the rooster crows, you will deny three times that you even know me." And he went away, weeping bitterly.
This second Bible text from the "New Living Translation" (Tyndale House, Publishers, Wheaton, Illinois) is a paraphrase and not an accurate word-for-word translation of the Bible. However, it is a helpful tool when read with the "King James Version."
Key verses from this passage
"And they that had laid hold on Jesus led him away to Caiaphas the high priest, where the scribes and the elders were assembled." (26:57)
"Jesus saith unto him, Thou hast said: nevertheless I say unto you, Hereafter shall ye see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven." (26:64)
"And after a while came unto him they that stood by, and said to Peter, Surely thou also art one of them; for thy speech bewrayeth thee. Then began he to curse and to swear, saying, I know not the man. And immediately the cock crew." (26:73-74)
"Jesus saith unto him, Thou hast said: nevertheless I say unto you, Hereafter shall ye see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven." (26:64)
"And after a while came unto him they that stood by, and said to Peter, Surely thou also art one of them; for thy speech bewrayeth thee. Then began he to curse and to swear, saying, I know not the man. And immediately the cock crew." (26:73-74)
Today's Question:
1. Why wouldn't Jesus answer the charges brought against Him? (26:63)
Read your Bible to strengthen your relationship with God.
1. Why wouldn't Jesus answer the charges brought against Him? (26:63)
Read your Bible to strengthen your relationship with God.
Answer: (Do you agree?)
1. As prophesized in Isaiah 53:7, Jesus did not answer the charges brought against Him. Hecould have easily turned His accuser's words against them, as He had done when tested by the Pharisees many times before. But why should He? The council had already decided that Jesus was guilty. This was a mock trial, and the corrupt priests with their false witnesses weren't going to be swayed by Jesus' words. Besides, Jesus' mission on earth wasn't to change the minds of the high priests but to be sacrificed for the sins of mankind.
However, Jesus did respond when the high priest asked Him if He was the "Son of God" (26:63-64). To refuse to answer that question could have been seen as a denial of his earthly mission. Not only did Jesus confirm that He was the Son of God, He also told the priest that the next time they met, He would be "sitting on the right hand of power (God)," and they would be the ones being judged (Psalm 110:1; Revelation 20:11-13). It was then that the proceedings turned violent (26:65-67).
Application thought for the day:
The Sanhedrin found the Messiah guilty to silence Him and put an end to His ministry. They wanted no part of Jesus. Today, two thousand years later, nothing has changed. We still face the same choice that Caiaphas and the Sanhedrin had to make. Each of us must decide for ourselves; is Jesus a liar or the Messiah. Choose wisely!
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Thanks to the writings and commentary of John Wesley and Adam Clarke. Also, "The Layman's Bible Study Notebook" by Irving Jensen, published by Harvest House Publishing, Irvine, California; the "Life Change Series," published by NavPress books, Colorado Springs, Colorado; "Robertson's New Testament Word Studies;" "The MacArthur Bible Commentary" by John MacArthur, published by Thomas Nelson, Nashville, Tennessee; "Wisdom of the Bible" CD by Topics Entertainment, Inc., Renton, Washington for their inspiring pictures; "My utmost for His Highest" by Oswald Chambers, published by Barbour Publishing, Inc., Uhrichsville, Ohio; The "Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge" by Reuben Archer Torrey; "Hope For Each Day" by Billy Graham, published by J. Countryman, a division of Thomas Nelson, Inc., Nashville, Tennessee; "Easton's Bible Dictionary" by Matthew George Easton; "Unger's Bible Dictionary" by Merrill F. Unger, published by Moody Press, Chicago, Illinois; "Atlas of the Bible" edited by Joseph L. Gardner, published by Readers Digest, Pleasantville, New York; "Halley's Bible Handbook" by Henry H. Halley, Zondervan Publishing House, Grand Rapids, Michigan; "The Everyday Bible," published by World Wide Publications, Minneapolis, Minnesota; "The New Testament" Recovery Version, published by Living Stream Ministry, Anaheim, California; "The Living New Testament," published by Tyndale house, Wheaten, Illinois; "The New Living Translation," published by Tyndale House, Wheaten, Illinois; "The New Testament" translated from the Latin Vulgate, published by Guild Press, New York, New York; the "Life Application Study Bible," published by Tyndale House Publishing, Carol Stream, Illinois; the "Quest Study Bible," published by The Zondervan Corporation, Grand Rapids, Michigan; "The New Scofield Reference Bible," published by Oxford University Press, New York, New York; BibleGateway.com for all their wonderful links; and of course, the "King James Bible." All were critical in putting these lessons together.
© 2025 evolke
© 2025 evolke