The Illegalities of Jesus' Trial
A Look at First Century Jewish Law
1. Capital cases were to be tried during the daytime, and the verdict had to also be reached during the day. The Gospels are clear that Jesus was taken from the Garden of Gesthemane, tried and sentenced during the night.
2. Trials were not to be held on the day before a Sabbath or the day before a Holy Day or Festival. We also know from the Gospels that Jesus was tried during the Passover.
3. Much like the American system, the Jewish system of law required that a trial begin with reasons why the accused was innocent, not reasons why the accused was guilty. There is no record of Jesus' innocence ever being discussed. Instead, His trial was full of false-witnesses. No effort was ever made to find witnesses to testify for the defense.
4. Innocent verdicts could be reached on the same day a trial began. However, guilty verdicts had to be rendered after a "night's sleep". You could not simply do a quick trial, sentence the accused to death and then carry out the sentence. There had to be time to think through the evidence.
5. A guilty verdict could only be reached if two witnesses' testimony agreed. The Bible is clear that when the false witnesses came, no two testimonies matched up. According to Jewish law (stated in the Old Testament) if two reliable witnesses could not be found, the case must be thrown out.
6. The Sanhedrin (Jewish court system) was to meet in an inner court of the temple to try cases. Not so with Jesus. His trial took place in the high priest's home.
Though the plan of God was for Jesus to be crucified for us, it is heart-breaking to realize all of the injustice and prejudice He suffered for us. In the words of a much-loved hymn:
He could have called ten thousand angels,
to destroy the world and set Him free.
He could have called ten thousand angels,
but He died alone, for you and me.
Published by Amy Kreger
Amy is a stay at home mom who resides in northern Minnesota. She has been married for 9 years and has 4 young children. View profile
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- Capital cases were to be tried in the day time, Jesus' trial took place at night.
- Defendants were to be "innocent until proven guilty". Jesus was "guilty until proven innocent".
- No death sentences were to be issued on the same day as the trial. Jesus was sentenced immediately.
6 Comments
Post a CommentRAPH, first, there's no need to shout. Secondly, there's very reliable historical evidence that Jesus existed. There are multiple historians who lived at that time who recorded him, by name, or by deed. Not the least of evidence is the movement started which transformed the belief systems of the world. Lastly, you have to look at the people involved and the situation to understand how Jesus was tried and convicted. The Roman empire did not want a revolt on their hands, which Pilate feared the religious leaders would lead if he did not kill Jesus. He did not want to do it, and tried to push it off on other officials. He did so out of fear of the mob.
It always amazes me, why would anyone not like Jesus. He came here, taught us to be good, then died for us. What did he do wrong? Nothing! Every thing he did was right! And what did he get out of it? Hopefully, people that appreciate all that he went through.
Jesus never stated that he wanted a fair trial. He was sad obviously because he knew what punishment he would recieve. You would also be sad if you knew you would get a punishment such as his.
FIRST: THERE IS NO RELIABLE HISTORICAL EVIDENCE THAT JESUS EXISTED.
SECONDLY : EVEN ADMITTING THAT JESUS EXISTED WHY AN ILLEGAL AND USELESS TRIAL
SINCE THE JEWS ALLEGEDLY HAD TO ASK THE ROMANS TO KILL JESUS.
THIRD: FOR RELIGIOUS CRIMES ONLY THE SANHEDRIM WAS COMPETENT. OBVIOUSLY JESUS
COULD NOT BE FOUND GUILTY OF RELIGIOUS CRIMES.
FOURTH: WHY THEN DID SUDDENLY THE ROMANS ACCEPT TO CRUCIFY JESUS IFBEFORE PILATUS
DID NOT FIND HIM GUILTY?
The things you point to are more of an indication of the inconsistincies that abound in the bible...as it is not a reliable history text, it is impossible to draw specific conclusions about anything in it..
Interesting angle. Question though, since he is God and he knows what's coming why is it injustice and prejudice? Why would he be sad, it's just part of the plan. If anything Jesus/God should have been happy because everything happening meant the plan was falling into place. Why would he want a fair trial if it hindered what was to happen in the next few days. What if he got a fair trial and was deemed innocent? Now what the hell do you do?