14
Apr '25
The Kangaroo Court
14
Apr '25
Introduction: Have you ever looked into the “mock trial” of Jesus Christ? If so, you’ve seen how it was a “done deal”! From false accusations to guilty deliberations, it was doomed from the start. Because of the timing of the trials—namely the preparation for the Passover—it was hastily carried out. Besides that, both the Roman law and the Jewish law collided in the process. The Jewish trial consisted of a somewhat informal examination. This was done before Annas (John 18:12–23). It included a hearing before the High Priest Caiaphas along with the Sanhedrin.
Next, the formal trial began early in the morning, during which Jesus was sent to Pilate. Some suggest that the Jewish trial verdict could not have sentenced Jesus to death; therefore, He was sent to be sentenced before the Roman court headed by Pilate.
Though this devotion is not exhaustive, here were the main charges:
1. Blasphemy against God! (Matt. 26:59–66) – “Now the chief priests, and elders, and all the council, sought false witness against Jesus, to put him to death; but found none: yea, though many false witnesses came, yet found they none. At the last came two false witnesses, and said, This fellow said, I am able to destroy the temple of God, and to build it in three days. And the high priest arose, and said unto him, Answerest thou nothing? what is it which these witness against thee? 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. 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. 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. What think ye? They answered and said, He is guilty of death.”
Matthew’s description of the mock trial specifies the false accusations against Jesus—even though He was God!
2. Treason against Caesar! (John 18:36) – “My kingdom is not of this world.”
Now, the Romans would not tolerate anyone who usurped authority over the King, Caesar. In this case, Jesus claimed to be the King of the Jews. Howbeit, in all actuality, He was and will forever be King of the Jews! In His second coming, many of the Jews will “look upon Him whom they’ve pierced,” according to Zechariah’s prophecy.
3. Accused of being a Malefactor (John 18:29–31) – “Then led they Jesus from Caiaphas unto the hall of judgment: and it was early; and they themselves went not into the judgment hall, lest they should be defiled; but that they might eat the passover. Pilate then went out unto them, and said, What accusation bring ye against this man? They answered and said unto him, If he were not a malefactor, we would not have delivered him up unto thee.”
Please do not overlook the word “malefactor.” Why? Because it perhaps explains some of the charges brought against Jesus. The word “malefactor” is κακός, which means bad, evil, wicked, and even harmful.
Bottom line: There are those who claim Jesus was a magician by practicing sorcery; i.e., raising Lazarus from the dead.
Conclusion: As we conclude, it is absolutely necessary to remind every reader that all of this was planned and permitted by the will of God from eternity past. Why? Because God’s purpose in all of it was to ultimately redeem mankind from his sin, and in so doing, bring sinful man back into a right relationship with his Savior, Creator, and Redeemer.
Therefore, sovereignly controlling the events in the Kangaroo Court of Jesus Christ, remember—the God of the Bible was glorified!
Love y’all,
Dr. Randy Reese