By Tom Thomas
“No trial or execution in history has had such a momentous outcome as that of Jesus in Roman-occupied Jerusalem, 2000 years ago. But was it an execution or a judicial murder; and who was responsible? The story begins when the Galilean rebel Jesus rides into Jerusalem on a donkey, deliberately fulfilling a prophecy in the Hebrew Bible about the coming of the Messiah. He’s mobbed by an adoring crowd. (Source: BBC, September 18, 2009)
Jesus had to face trials before Caiaphas, Annas, Sanhedrin, Herod, and Pilate. However, I was always puzzled why the Apostles’ Creed mentions only “… crucified under Pontius Pilate.” A series of lectures by Rev. Fr Dr Yesu Karunanidhi, Principal, St Paul’s Online Bible College, helped throw some light on this topic, which I attempt to summarise in this article.
Caiaphas, Annas, and Sanhedrin may be taken together.
Caiaphas was a High Priest in Jerusalem reigning 18 years in office and he felt Jesus was challenging his authority, when Jesus cleansed the Temple. Annas was the Father-in-Law of Caiaphas. He is cited at the beginning of Jesus’ ministry in Lk 3:2. Pontius Pilate was the Roman Governor or Procurator. He was a liaison officer between Rome and Palestine. Herod Antipas, one of the sons of Herod the Great, was the Tetrarch in Galilee.
The three trials of Jesus are as follows: (i) Jesus before the Sanhedrin (Mk 14:53-72; Mt 26: 57-75; Lk 22:54-71; Jn 18:12-27); (ii) The Trial before Pilate (Mk 15:1-20; Mt 27:11-31; Lk 23: 2-25; Jn 18:28-19:16); and (iii) Jesus before Herod (Lk 23:6-16).
- The Setting
Jesus begins His entry into Jerusalem on a colt on Palm Sunday then goes to the Upper Room where the Last Supper is celebrated and washing of the feet of disciples is done. Then He goes to the Garden of Gethsemane to pray. Jesus is praying there where He is arrested and taken to Anna’s house according to Gospel of John, then to Sanhedrin according to Synoptic Gospels, then to Pilate’s palace, from there to Herod and back to Pilate, and finally to Golgotha. Jerusalem was a walled city and looking the ancient map, three places are outside, Garden of Gethsemane, Mount of Olives and Golgotha are all outside the walls of Jerusalem. People were crucified outside the Walls of Jerusalem as the temple was there and could not be defiled
- Jesus before Sanhedrin
In Mark – Caiaphas – says this happens at night. In John, Jesus is first taken to Annas (Jn 18:12-24) and then to Caiaphas. Annas may have been the High Priest earlier. Sanhedrin is the supreme court with 71 members – consisting of three groups: High Priest, Elders and Scribes. There must be a quorum of 23. It was usually situated around the Temple. Regulations were that all criminal cases should be done during the daytime. In Mark and Mathew this was broken as trials shown at night time and only Luke says it was at daybreak. Therefore, this was a great transgression of Laws to do away with Jesus.
When Jesus is brought before Caiaphas and accused of blasphemy, Caiaphas immediately does what the Law prescribes. He tears his robes. And sets in to motion what the Law prescribes to be done to a false prophet; he must be put to death. Israel must banish evil from its midst (Dt 13:2-6). Some members of the council spit on Jesus, blindfold him and strike him demanding that he prophesy (Mk 14:65)
Differences between Roman and Jewish trials. There are some differences with the Roman and Jewish trials. In the Roman trial, interrogation of accused was the central point. In Jewish trial, defence and prosecution of witness was key. Witnesses should not contradict.
iii. Trial by Pilate
It happened in the morning after sunrise. Initial interrogation was by Pilate, then Jesus was sent to Herod. The need for two trials was that the Sanhedrin had no power for capital sentences. Stoning was the punishment for blasphemy according to Mosaic law prescribed in Deuteronomy. Crucifixion was the Roman method.
The Praetorium was the residence of Pilate and John brings out the hypocrisy of the Jews, they did not want to enter this as that was the day of sacrificing of lambs. The contradiction is they were scrupulous about external purity but don’t worry about internal purity.
Who were the accusers? In John it refers to Jews or the enemies of Jesus, Mark shows the crowd and Lk 23:2 they are projecting Jesus as disturbing Pax Romana by being portrayed a s rebel. “So you are a king?” “What is truth?” interesting dialogues with Pilate and Jesus as given in Gospel of John. Pilate was more hostile to the Jews than friendly.
- Trial before Herod
Herod the Tetrarch had a place within the Jerusalem walls. Trial before Herod is found only in the Gospel of Luke. Herod askes Jesus many questions and asks him to work a miracle. Herod, the Tetrarch of Galilee, and Jesus being citizen of Galilee needed to be tried by Herod. Pilate however sent Jesus to Herod, so he could escape sentencing Him. Herod, on the other hand, was waiting for an opportunity to question Jesus, having heard all about it. In the Passion of Christ, Herod seems to have been affected with an incurable disease and thought maybe Jesus could have worked a miracle on him to cure him and maybe for superstitious Jesus. Jesus, however being aware of all these thoughts in Herod’s mind, choses to keep silent. The infuriates Herod who sends him back to Pilate though saying Jesus is harmless, just a mocking stock.
- Trial before Pilate
Jesus is sent back to Pilate. In Matthew, Pilate’s wife is seem to have a dream that Jesus is righteous (just as Joseph was referred). Even in Gospel of Matthew, Joseph is revealed the divine plan in dreams – the media in which God speaks to people, Pilate is perplexed as he is convinced Jesus is innocent, and the wife has also had the dream. However, in deciding, he yields to people’s pressure.
In John’s Gospel, Pilate and Jesus are in a long dialogue. Especially Chapter 18 and 19, which we have every year on Good Friday we can see this in detail. Pilate seems to be indecisive almost like a swing door. Finally, in Jon 19:15 when Pilate asks the people, “Shall I crucify him?” and people say “we have no king but Caesar”. What a tragic irony of the people of Israel who had no King but Yahweh. Now that they want to get rid of Jesus, they wanted to even negate Yahweh. As soon as Pilate hears this, he concludes the trial and hands over Jesus to be crucified.
So, who was tried? Was it Pilate, Jesus or the People on the Judgment Seat? The implication is I have to make a personal response to Jesus- do I make Jesus as my King or Caesar? This seems to be the endeavour of John.
In the famous painting, Caravaggio shows through imagery of darkness and light the betrayal of Christ by Judas. It makes a good complement to the Gospel readings to understand visually the sequence of such events.
- Barabbas Incident
Amnesty is someone who is set free during a particular time or event. This text is not historical. According to Sanhedrin law, a criminal could not be released during a festival. Especially during Passover with many people in the City. There may be a theological reason as people did not chose Jesus when they could and this particular amnesty is mentioned only in synoptic gospels. Matthew – terrorist, Mark- caught up in a riot, Luke – a zealot who wanted to destroy Rome. So, Barabbas wanted to destroy Pax Romana. Sanhedrin wanted to release Barabbas, but Pilate wanted to release Jesus. But when Jesus asked the question to the crowd, there is an implication that Jesus is already condemned- as only a condemned person could be released. This is the tragedy of Pilate.
Barabbas was also considered as Messianic figure as he wanted to dethrone Rome.
After sentencing, scourging preceded crucifixion. Mark and Mathew scourging happens after the death sentence but in John scourging happens before the death sentence. Maybe Pilate wanted to bring Jesus to people after scourging for sympathy. Josephus Flavius said the objects for scourging were very sharp and mixed with sharp bones and metal, designed to take away flesh from those scourged and deigned to accelerate death.
Simon was called to assist as Jesus was very weak from scourging. Crowning of thorns, purple dress and reed sceptre were to make fun of Jesus. “Ecce Homo” behold a man, Pilate makes this in front of the crowd. Pilate makes a mockery over Jesus and in the end choses peace over justice. He ignores his wife’s dream and justice and only cares about Roman peace. Ps 22 and Is 53 are OT texts that are meaningful as Pilate is handed over Jesus to be crucified and Jesus is helpless, abandoned by God.
It is worth for us to ponder over these points as we enter into Holy Week. As we have read the Passion Narrative (from Luke) on Palm Sunday, and will read again on Good Friday (from John).
With what character do we identify with in the Passion Narratives? By our thoughts, words and actions are we putting Jesus on trial even today?
Blessed Holy Week.