The Unjust Trials of Our Lord Jesus (2) - All The LORD is near Daily Devotionals for 2025

Those who had laid hold of Jesus led Him away to Caiaphas the high priest, where the scribes and the elders were assembled Now the chief priests, the elders, and all the council sought false testimony against Jesus to put Him to death, but found none at last two false witnesses came forward and said, "This fellow said, ‘I am able to destroy the temple of God and to build it in three days.'"
Matthew 26:57, 59-61

The Unjust Trials of Our Lord Jesus (2)
Late in the night, after the preliminary session in the palace of Annas, our Lord Jesus was taken to the nearby palace of Caiaphas, his son-in-law, the high priest that year (Jn. 11:49). Here the members of the Sanhedrin were illegally assembled with one purpose in mind: to put Jesus to death. To accomplish this, they would need witnesses who could testify to some wrong Jesus had done. Having no witnesses, they sought for false witnesses. Many came forward, but no two agreed until two stepped up with the accusation that He had said He could destroy the temple and build it in three days. To this charge Jesus did not reply.

The high priest then put Jesus under oath to tell whether He was the Christ, the promised Messiah, the Son of God. Leviticus 5:1-4 required a person placed under oath to speak the truth. Jesus, who is the Truth (Jn. 14:6), used the occasion to tell the truth: "It is as you said. Nevertheless, I say to you, hereafter you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Power, and coming on the clouds of heaven" (v. 64).

Then the high priest tore his clothes—something the Law forbade—and accused Jesus of speaking blasphemy, saying no further witnesses were needed. All present said He deserved to die. "Then they spat in His face and beat Him; and others struck Him with the palms of their hands, saying, ‘Prophesy to us, Christ! Who is the one who struck You?'" (vv. 67-68). In such a wicked manner Israel's leaders treated the Lord of glory!

Eugene P. Vedder, Jr.