1. The Arrest! (John 18:4-6)
As the soldiers accessed the situation with the intention of apprehending Jesus, here is what Jesus asked?

“Whom seek ye? 5They answered him, Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus saith unto them, I am he. And Judas also, which betrayed him, stood with them. 6As soon then as he had said unto them, I am he, they went backward, and fell to the ground.”

2. The Mock Trial! (John 18:13)

“And led him away to Annas first; for he was father in law to Caiaphas, which was the high priest that same year.”

He resorts to violence when he strikesthi Jesus in the face. (John 18:19)

“And when he had thus spoken, one of the officers which stood by struck Jesus with the palm of his hand, saying, Answerest thou the high priest so?”

Next, Jesus is taken from Annas to Caiaphas where the elders and the teachers of the law were waiting.
According to Bible scholars, a meeting of the Sanhedrin was illegal at night. (Matt 26:57)

“57And they that had laid hold on Jesus led him away to Caiaphas the high priest, where the scribes and the elders were assembled.”

The assembly of the Sanhedrin would normally take place in the temple. However, on this occasion this was not the case. Furthermore, witnesses were required. In this case, it was so haphazardly put together they could only find one accusation against Jesus. (Mark 14:56-64)

“And the chief priests and all the council sought for witness against Jesus to put him to death; and found none. 56For many bare false witness against him, but their witness agreed not together. 57And there arose certain, and bare false witness against him, saying, 58We heard him say, I will destroy this temple that is made with hands, and within three days I will build another made without hands. 59But neither so did their witness agree together. 60And the high priest stood up in the midst, and asked Jesus, saying, Answerest thou nothing? what is it which these witness against thee? 61But he held his peace, and answered nothing. Again the high priest asked him, and said unto him, Art thou the Christ, the Son of the Blessed? 62And Jesus said, I am: and ye shall see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven. 63Then the high priest rent his clothes, and saith, What need we any further witnesses? 64Ye have heard the blasphemy: what think ye? And they all condemned him to be guilty of death.”

Jesus was spit on! Smitten. The charge….Blasphemy!! (Mark 14:65)

“And some began to spit on him, and to cover his face, and to buffet him, and to say unto him, Prophesy: and the servants did strike him with the palms of their hands.”

(John 18:28-32)

“28Then 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. 29Pilate then went out unto them, and said, What accusation bring ye against this man? 30They answered and said unto him, If he were not a malefactor, we would not have delivered him up unto thee. 31Then said Pilate unto them, Take ye him, and judge him according to your law. The Jews therefore said unto him, It is not lawful for us to put any man to death: 32That the saying of Jesus might be fulfilled, which he spake, signifying what death he should die.”

Since the Jews could not execute a person legally, the “MOCK TRIAL” they took Jesus to Pilate, the Roman governor early in the morn. But since it was Passover, they did not go into the Praetorium. Consequently, Pilate walked outside and asked what were the charges. (John 18:29,30)

At that time, the Sanhedrin understood that the charges of blasphemy was not enough to sentence one to death.

After examining Jesus, Pilate “found no fault” in Him.

Yet, the Jews needed an accusation that would require the death penalty, therefore they charged Jesus with “TREASON”! They claimed he was a king, which He was. This king status would be brought before Herod and the Roman world. He was an insurrectionist!! (John 18:34)

“33Then Pilate entered into the judgment hall again, and called Jesus, and said unto him, Art thou the King of the Jews? 34Jesus answered him, Sayest thou this thing of thyself, or did others tell it thee of me? “

Next Jesus appears before Herod, but His innocence seemed to be evident. (Luke 23:6-12)

“When Pilate heard of Galilee, he asked whether the man were a Galilaean. 7And as soon as he knew that he belonged unto Herod’s jurisdiction, he sent him to Herod, who himself also was at Jerusalem at that time. 8And when Herod saw Jesus, he was exceeding glad: for he was desirous to see him of a long season, because he had heard many things of him; and he hoped to have seen some miracle done by him. 9Then he questioned with him in many words; but he answered him nothing. 10And the chief priests and scribes stood and vehemently accused him. 11And Herod with his men of war set him at nought, and mocked him, and arrayed him in a gorgeous robe, and sent him again to Pilate. 12And the same day Pilate and Herod were made friends together: for before they were at enmity between themselves.”

So back to Pilate goes Jesus, but a criminal named Barnabas is released. (John 18:39-19:1)

“Pilate saith unto him, What is truth? And when he had said this, he went out again unto the Jews, and saith unto them, I find in him no fault at all. 39But ye have a custom, that I should release unto you one at the passover: will ye therefore that I release unto you the King of the Jews? 40Then cried they all again, saying, Not this man, but Barabbas. Now Barabbas was a robber.”

Pilate trying to placate the Jews turned Jesus over to be scourged. (John 19:1-5)

“1Then Pilate therefore took Jesus, and scourged him. 2And the soldiers platted a crown of thorns, and put it on his head, and they put on him a purple robe, 3And said, Hail, King of the Jews! and they smote him with their hands. 4Pilate therefore went forth again, and saith unto them, Behold, I bring him forth to you, that ye may know that I find no fault in him. 5Then came Jesus forth, wearing the crown of thorns, and the purple robe. And Pilate saith unto them, Behold the man! “

Crucify Him, shouted the Jews! Blasphemy!! (John 18:6-7)

Conclusion: Between Pilate and Herod, Jesus has been announced innocent 5 times!

We would say, “IT was a DONE DEAL!!”

But actually Jesus fore told us that no man would take His life. (John 10:17, 18)

“17Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again. 18No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again.”