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Arrest and Trials of Jesus

Illustration of Arrest and Trials of Jesus
Era
Life of Christ
Date
AD 30 or 33 ≈ Approximate
Reference
Matthew 26:47-68
Betrayed with a kiss and forsaken by His friends, Jesus stood before the high priest, a king, and a governor in a single night and morning.

While Jesus was still speaking in Gethsemane, Judas came with a great multitude carrying swords and staves from the chief priests and elders, and betrayed his Master with a kiss. One of the disciples struck off the ear of the high priest's servant, but Jesus told him to put up his sword, saying He could pray to His Father for more than twelve legions of angels, yet the scriptures must be fulfilled; then all the disciples forsook Him and fled. Jesus was led first to Annas and then to Caiaphas the high priest, where the council sought false witness against Him and finally condemned Him for blasphemy when He confessed that He was the Christ, the Son of God. In the morning they delivered Him to Pontius Pilate, who sent Him to Herod and received Him back again, and though Pilate found no fault in Him, he released Barabbas and delivered Jesus to be crucified.

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Did You Know?

1

John names the swordsman as Simon Peter and the servant as Malchus, and Luke records that Jesus touched the ear and healed him.

2

The trials are traditionally counted as six hearings: Annas, Caiaphas, and the council at dawn, then Pilate, Herod, and Pilate again.

3

During the trial Pilate's wife warned him, 'I have suffered many things this day in a dream because of him.'

Key Passage

Arrest and Trials of Jesus

Matthew 26:47-68

A47nd while he yet spake, lo, Judas, one of the twelve, came, and with him a great multitude with swords and staves, from the chief priests and elders of the people.

48 Now he that betrayed him gave them a sign, saying, Whomsoever I shall kiss, that same is he: hold him fast. 49 And forthwith he came to Jesus, and said, Hail, master; and kissed him. 50 And Jesus said unto him, Friend, wherefore art thou come? Then came they, and laid hands on Jesus, and took him. 51 And, behold, one of them which were with Jesus stretched out his hand, and drew his sword, and struck a servant of the high priest’s, and smote off his ear. 52 Then said Jesus unto him, Put up again thy sword into his place: for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword. 53 Thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to my Father, and he shall presently give me more than twelve legions of angels? 54 But how then shall the scriptures be fulfilled, that thus it must be? 55 In that same hour said Jesus to the multitudes, Are ye come out as against a thief with swords and staves for to take me? I sat daily with you teaching in the temple, and ye laid no hold on me. 56 But all this was done, that the scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled. Then all the disciples forsook him, and fled. 57 And they that had laid hold on Jesus led him away to Caiaphas the high priest, where the scribes and the elders were assembled. 58 But Peter followed him afar off unto the high priest’s palace, and went in, and sat with the servants, to see the end. 59 Now the chief priests, and elders, and all the council, sought false witness against Jesus, to put him to death; 60 But found none: yea, though many false witnesses came, yet found they none. At the last came two false witnesses, 61 And said, This fellow said, I am able to destroy the temple of God, and to build it in three days. 62 And the high priest arose, and said unto him, Answerest thou nothing? what is it which these witness against thee? 63 But Jesus held his peace. And the high priest answered and said unto him, I adjure thee by the living God, that thou tell us whether thou be the Christ, the Son of God. 64 Jesus saith unto him, Thou hast said: nevertheless I say unto you, Hereafter shall ye see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven. 65 Then the high priest rent his clothes, saying, He hath spoken blasphemy; what further need have we of witnesses? behold, now ye have heard his blasphemy. 66 What think ye? They answered and said, He is guilty of death. 67 Then did they spit in his face, and buffeted him; and others smote him with the palms of their hands, 68 Saying, Prophesy unto us, thou Christ, Who is he that smote thee?

Read full chapter: Matthew 26 →

Meanwhile in the World

The Roman Empire is at its peak under Augustus and Tiberius (Pax Romana). Rome controls the entire Mediterranean world. Roads, common language (Greek), and peace make travel and communication easy - the 'fullness of time.' Herod the Great rules Judea as a client king.

When: c. 5 BC - AD 33

Key Civilizations: Roman Empire (Pax Romana)