Arrest and Trials of Jesus
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.
Did You Know?
John names the swordsman as Simon Peter and the servant as Malchus, and Luke records that Jesus touched the ear and healed him.
The trials are traditionally counted as six hearings: Annas, Caiaphas, and the council at dawn, then Pilate, Herod, and Pilate again.
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
47nd 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.
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.