Jesus before the Jewish Council

After Jesus was seized, he was led to the high priest. Matthew and Mark say the chief priests, elders, and scribes were gathered there. John also records questioning about Jesus’ disciples and teaching before Annas sent him on, still bound, to Caiaphas the high priest.

Matthew and Mark say the chief priests and the whole council were looking for testimony against Jesus so they could put him to death. Many witnesses came, but their stories did not agree. At last, accusations were made about words concerning the temple and three days, while Jesus remained silent.

In John’s account, Jesus said he had spoken openly in synagogues and in the temple, not in secret. He said the people who had heard him could speak about his teaching. When an officer struck him, Jesus answered that if he had spoken wrongly, they should show the wrong, but if not, they should not strike him.

Then the high priest asked whether Jesus was the Christ, the Son of God. In Mark’s account the question is phrased, ‘the Christ, the Son of the Blessed.’ Jesus answered in words about the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power and coming with the clouds. The high priest tore his clothes, and the council said no more witnesses were needed.

Luke presents the order differently. First, the men holding Jesus mocked him, beat him, and demanded that he tell who had hit him. Then, when day came, the assembly of elders, chief priests, and scribes questioned him. He spoke of the Son of Man at God’s right hand, and when they asked if he was the Son of God, they said his own words were enough.

Matthew and Mark also say that after the council’s judgement, some spat on Jesus, struck him, and mocked him, telling him to prophesy who had hit him. These accounts show a cruel and unjust hearing: false testimony was sought, Jesus was mistreated, and his words about himself became the charge against him.