Daily Devotions
Luke
John 18:12-23; Luke 22:63-65; Matthew 26:57-67 "AT THE HOME OF ANNAS"
Day 305 – Luke 22
Text: John 18:12-23; Luke 22:63-65; Matthew 26:57-67
AT THE HOME OF ANNAS
After His arrest, Jesus was brought before Annas, the father-in-law of Caiaphas. This interview with Jesus was an unsatisfactory one, as far as Annas was concerned. Jesus was not intimidated in the least.
Others may have cowered in the presence of Annas, a man of considerable influence, wealth and power. Jesus was not in the least impressed. When asked to expound His doctrine, Jesus replied that His teachings were public knowledge.
Jesus was slapped when He answered thus. His reply was significant, from the Sanhedrin’s legal standpoint.
“If I have spoken evil, bear witness of the evil;
but if well, why do you strike Me?”
John 18:23
The officer who struck Jesus exceeded his authority. Had Jesus spoken wrongly? Had He committed an evil deed when He spoke as He did? Even if He did, the right recourse would be to note what was said and then a formal charge may be made against Him.
The words of Jesus had not been verified. He had not been cross-examined, as it were. Nevertheless, the officer attending the case struck Him. This could count dearly against the case, if there had been a proper legal case brought against Jesus.
The interview soon ended. There was no point trying to examine Jesus further. He would not have spoken further, if his first answer received a blow from an officer of Annas.
AT THE HOME OF CAIAPHAS
John’s account saw Jesus being led to the home of Caiaphas. Jesus continued to be bound when He was made to appear before Caiaphas (John 18:24).
Luke did not fully record what happened at the home of Caiaphas. He did however note that Jesus was once again physically abused (Luke 22:63-65). Let us take time to study carefully the interview that Jesus had with Caiaphas as recorded in the Gospel of Matthew, before we take up the shameful physical abuse of Jesus in the home of the reigning high priest.
Matthew recorded a bold fact, that some of the scribes and elders had gathered in the home of Caiaphas. Matthew wrote,
“And those who had laid hold of Jesus
led Him away to Caiaphas the high priest,
where the scribes and the elders were assembled.”
Matthew 26:57
What do we make of this motley group of “scribes and elders” who were assembled that night in the home of Caiaphas? We must not imagine that this was a legal assembly of the Sanhedrin Council, the highest religious-legal body of the Jews!
THE RELIGIOUS COUNCILS OF THE JEWS
Edersheim’s citation of Rabbinic accounts of the judicial system of the Jews helps us understand the way in which Jesus was tried. The Jews had three tribunals that had authority to try a person for a criminal offence (Edersheim, pg 856ff).
1. A Tribunal of 3 Judges.
This was the lowest of the tribunals. The powers of the three judges were limited. They could not judge a person charged with a capital offence.
2. The Tribunal of 23 Judges.
This was the next level. This court had the power to try capital cases. The members of this court and that of the lower tribunal were appointed by a higher body, the Sanhedrin Council.
3. The Tribunal of 71 Judges, otherwise known as the Great Sanhedrin.
The appointments of people to the Great Sanhedrin were usually drawn from those who had served at the lower tribunals faithfully. These were supposed to be especially ordained men who were accounted to be worthy of the responsibility thrust upon them. Council members traveled from town to town, upholding justice. Where they come across capable people, they appointed them to serve in these Tribunals.
Procedures of the Sanhedrin Council
1. At least twenty-three Council Members must be gathered together to form a quorum.
2. The Chamber was arranged in a semi-circle, with the accused facing the Judges.
3. Two writers were present to take down the speeches spoken in favour or against the accused.
4. A verdict is reached by voting. This began with the youngest member casting his vote.
5. At the time of Jesus, the Sanhedrin had no power to sentence a person to death. This prerogative was reserved to either Herod, or the Roman procurator.
6. There were certain prohibitions concerning processes.
a) No process was allowed to begin in the night.
b) No process could take place on the Sabbath, or on the eve of a Feast Day.
7. All cases involving capital punishment demanded that all witnesses were carefully cautioned as to the words they would speak before the Council.
Without too much difficulty, we can conclude that the interviews carried out in the homes of Annas and Caiaphas were illegal attempts of personal interrogation. Once again we see Jesus subjected to great humiliation. Jesus kept silent for more than one reason. Certainly, He was not compelled by law to speak at any of these interrogations, since they were illegally constituted.