JESUS ON TRIAL
Jesus was tried twice – once by the Jewish authorities and once by the Romans.
SANHEDRIN
After his arrest Jesus was first taken before the Sanhedrin – the Jewish religious authorities. Witnesses gave false evidence. He was asked by the High Priest: ‘Are you the Christ, the Son of the Blessed One?’ (Mark 14:61). ‘I am’ Jesus replied. For saying this, he was sentenced to death for blasphemy (insulting God).
PETER
Peter didn’t abandon Jesus entirely – he followed the crowd when they took Jesus to the Sanhedrin. While Jesus was being questioned, Peter waited by a fire outside. The servants thought they recognized him as one of the disciples, but Peter angrily denied this three times. As a cock crowed, Peter remembered that Jesus had predicted he would deny being a disciple. Peter was struck by guilt and wept.
PONTIUS PILATE
Pontius Pilate was the Roman governor of the area. He asked if Jesus was ‘the King of the Jews’? Jesus remained silent. Pilate then asked the crowd that had gathered which prisoner they wanted him to release. Should it be Jesus – or a criminal called Barabbas? They shouted for Barabbas. Pilate symbolically washed his hands to show that he took no responsibility for this.
BARABBAS
Barabbas was released. Jesus was taken by Roman soldiers, tied up, blindfolded and whipped. The soldiers also mocked him – dressing him up in a purple robe and putting a crown of thorns on his head.
