The Unjust Trials of Our Lord Jesus (1) - All The LORD is near Daily Devotionals for 2025

The detachment of troops and the captain and the officers of the Jews arrested Jesus and bound Him. And they led Him away to Annas first, for he was the father-in-law of Caiaphas who was high priest that year The high priest then asked Jesus about His disciples and His doctrine Then Annas sent Him bound to Caiaphas the high priest.
John 18:12-13, 19, 24

The Unjust Trials of Our Lord Jesus (1)
The apostle John, who wrote his Gospel years after the other Gospels had been written, is the only one who mentions that Jesus was tried first before Annas and then before his son-in-law Caiaphas, "who was high priest that year." God had ordained that upon the death of the high priest he would be succeeded by his son, but, contrary to this, the office of high priest was being sold annually at this time by the Roman authorities. Luke 3:2 also mentions this corruption of the high priesthood, where we see Annas and Caiaphas mentioned as high priests together.

Thank God, we have a High Priest who, because He continues forever, has an unchangeable priesthood. He always lives to make intercession for us, and is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and higher than the heavens (Heb. 7:24-26)!

When this corrupt high priest asked Jesus about His disciples and His doctrine, Jesus answered that He had taught openly in synagogues and in the temple and had said nothing in secret; the high priest should ask those who had heard Him. Then an officer standing by slapped Him, saying, "Do You answer the high priest like that?" Jesus quietly answered, "If I have spoken evil, bear witness of the evil; but if well, why do you strike Me?"

What a scene! Our blessed Lord, the Son of God, standing before this corrupt, unjust high priest, shielding His disciples while answering the question about His doctrine, and being struck for His answer. No threatening, no retaliation! What an example!

Eugene P. Vedder, Jr.