The Jewish trial
After Jesus was arrested he was taken to the high priest and the Jewish judges. They tried to get evidence to prove Jesus was guilty, but they couldn’t find any. Finally they found him guilty of blasphemy because he said he was the Christ, God’s Son. Then the guards took him and beat him.
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The chief priests and leaders became really angry during the trial because Jesus remained silent. He wouldn’t answer their questions. Caiaphas, the high priest, asked him directly if he was the Christ, the Son of God.
When Jesus admitted he was, Caiaphas was so angry that he tore his clothes.
The evidence
Witnesses were found who could say things against Jesus. They said they had heard Jesus say he would tear down the temple and rebuild it in three days.
This was seen as blasphemy because the temple was a holy building. However, Jesus had been talking about his body, predicting his death, and then rising from the dead on the third day.
The witnesses couldn’t get their stories straight and Jesus remained silent.
Dig deeper
This trial was late at night and the Sanhedrin (Jewish judges) had probably been gathered together in a hurry, they were so desperate to get rid of Jesus.
After the outburst from the high priest, who became very angry after Jesus claimed to be the Son of God, they all said Jesus should be sentenced to death.
Night trials for capital crimes were illegal in those days so they waited until morning before making the final decision.
The Bible says
Mark 14:53-65
They took Jesus to the high priest, and all the chief priests, elders and teachers of the law came together. Peter followed him at a distance, right into the courtyard of the high priest. There he sat with the guards and warmed himself at the fire.
The chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin were looking for evidence against Jesus so that they could put him to death, but they did not find any. Many testified falsely against him, but their statements did not agree.
Then some stood up and gave this false testimony against him: ‘We heard him say, “I will destroy this man-made temple and in three days will build another, not made by man.”‘ Yet even then their testimony did not agree.
Then the high priest stood up before them and asked Jesus, ‘Are you not going to answer? What is this testimony that these men are bringing against you?’ But Jesus remained silent and gave no answer.
Again the high priest asked him, ‘Are you the Christ, the Son of the Blessed One?’
‘I am,’ said Jesus. ‘And you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven.’
The high priest tore his clothes. ‘Why do we need any more witnesses?’ he asked. ‘You have heard the blasphemy. What do you think?’
They all condemned him as worthy of death.
Then some began to spit at him; they blindfolded him, struck him with their fists, and said, ‘Prophesy!’ And the guards took him and beat him.