The Religious Trials

In our study of the life and ministry of Jesus, we have come to the events that immediately follow the Lord’s arrest in the Garden of Gethsemane… For the next three weeks, we plan to study the “trials” Jesus suffered at the hands of … evil men… In reality, we could spend the next three months studying these … so-called “trials”... I am having enough trouble… emotionally, covering these matters in three weeks, so pray with me that the time we spend studying these matters are not only accurate, but appropriate for a Sunday morning congregation… It’s my prayer that we will not remain the same for having studied these events…

As we will discover, Jesus is subjected to six “trials” before He is finally turned over to the Roman executioners for crucifixion… Three of these trials are before the religious leaders, of one sort or another – and three are held by the civil authorities…

In your notes –

– is an interesting map showing the location and progression of these trials…

Though these trials will actually … intermingle, throughout the texts, we will primarily focus on the “religious” trials this week, and then the “civil” trials next week…

All four gospel writers have recorded details of these trials… Today we will look to John 18:12-27 for our primary text for this message… Let’s hear the Word of the Lord –

John 18:12-27 — Full Scripture

John 18:12-27
12 So the Roman cohort and the commander and the officers of the Jews, arrested Jesus and bound Him, 13 and led Him to Annas first; for he was father-in-law of Caiaphas, who was high priest that year. 14 Now Caiaphas was the one who had advised the Jews that it was expedient for one man to die on behalf of the people.

15 Simon Peter was following Jesus, and so was another disciple. Now that disciple was known to the high priest, and entered with Jesus into the court of the high priest, 16 but Peter was standing at the door outside. So the other disciple, who was known to the high priest, went out and spoke to the doorkeeper, and brought Peter in. 17 Then the slave-girl who kept the door said to Peter, “You are not also one of this man’s disciples, are you?” He said, “I am not.” 18 Now the slaves and the officers were standing there, having made a charcoal fire, for it was cold and they were warming themselves; and Peter was also with them, standing and warming himself.

19 The high priest then questioned Jesus about His disciples, and about His teaching. 20 Jesus answered him, “I have spoken openly to the world; I always taught in synagogues and in the temple, where all the Jews come together; and I spoke nothing in secret. 21 Why do you question Me? Question those who have heard what I spoke to them; they know what I said.” 22 When He had said this, one of the officers standing nearby struck Jesus, saying, “Is that the way You answer the high priest?” 23 Jesus answered him, “If I have spoken wrongly, testify of the wrong; but if rightly, why do you strike Me?” 24 So Annas sent Him bound to Caiaphas the high priest.

25 Now Simon Peter was standing and warming himself. So they said to him, “You are not also one of His disciples, are you?” He denied it, and said, “I am not.” 26 One of the slaves of the high priest, being a relative of the one whose ear Peter cut off, said, “Did I not see you in the garden with Him?” 27 Peter then denied it again, and immediately a rooster crowed.

We will try to grasp all that is happening, and harmonize with the other gospel writers as we go along…

We begin with –

1. Jesus Faces the Attack of Unbelievers

John 18:12
So the Roman cohort and the commander and the officers of the Jews, arrested Jesus and bound Him,

Jesus was regarded as being dangerous enough to warrant an overwhelming arrest squad in order to take Him into custody… As we saw last time, Jesus was only bound, after He had … yielded Himself to them – out of His obedience to the Father… Being Who He is, He could have simply refused, or walked away if He chose to… As one commentator put it; “[The] hands that healed the sick and raised the dead could certainly break bonds” (Guzik).

Once Jesus is bound, He is escorted to appear to the high priest… There are actually two different high priests mentioned in our text. First –

● Jesus goes before Annas

John 18:13
and led Him to Annas first; for he was father-in-law of Caiaphas, who was high priest that year.

Annas had been high priest, and was basically considered to be the power behind the office… He retains the title, much like a president in our church carries the title for life… We also note that he is the father-in-law to the current high priest showing the … nepotism that now dominates the office…

John 18:14
Now Caiaphas was the one who had advised the Jews that it was expedient for one man to die on behalf of the people.

Pause there for a moment… When did Caiaphas give this advice? We were already told this in John 11, let’s review it quickly –

John 11:49-53
49 But one of them, Caiaphas, who was high priest that year, said to them, “You know nothing at all, 50 nor do you take into account that it is expedient for you that one man die for the people, and that the whole nation not perish.” 51 Now he did not say this on his own initiative, but being high priest that year, he prophesied that Jesus was going to die for the nation, 52 and not for the nation only, but in order that He might also gather together into one the children of God who are scattered abroad. 53 So from that day on they planned together to kill Him.

Let’s go back to John 18, and this time jump to verse :19 –

John 18:19-23
19 The high priest then questioned Jesus about His disciples, and about His teaching. 20 Jesus answered him, “I have spoken openly to the world; I always taught in synagogues and in the temple, where all the Jews come together; and I spoke nothing in secret. 21 Why do you question Me? Question those who have heard what I spoke to them; they know what I said.” 22 When He had said this, one of the officers standing nearby struck Jesus, saying, “Is that the way You answer the high priest?” 23 Jesus answered him, “If I have spoken wrongly, testify of the wrong; but if rightly, why do you strike Me?”

This was the first “religious trial”... Annas has had enough, and since he didn’t have the actual authority to do anything else at this point –

John 18:24
So Annas sent Him bound to Caiaphas the high priest.

Spurgeon says at this point –

C.H. Spurgeon – “I do not find any indication that His bonds were unloosed by Annas, or that he had even a moment’s relief or relaxation granted to him; but, with the cruel ropes still binding him fast, he was sent across the great hall into the other wing of the palace in which Caiaphas resided.” 2

It is at this point that Matthew tells us what happened when Jesus was brought to Caiaphas… Let’s read about –

● Jesus goes before Caiaphas and the Sanhedrin

Jesus’ trial before Annas, was the first “religious trial”... This is a trial in two parts – so it is the “second” and “third” religious trials, because Jesus is appearing before the religious leaders of the day…

This next session was a hasty assembly of the council recorded in Matthew 26:57-68. The second was the “official” meeting of the Sanhedrin”, that we will see when we get to Luke 22:66.

Matthew 26:57
Those who had seized Jesus led Him away to Caiaphas, the high priest, where the scribes and the elders were gathered together.

Caiaphas’ judgment against Jesus was decided – long before Jesus was sent to him… This would not be a fair trial.

Leon Morris – “Jesus might expect little from such a judge. Here was no idealist ready to see that justice was done, but a cynical politician who had already spoken in favor of Jesus’ death.”3

Jump to verse :59 –

Matthew 26:59-68
59 Now the chief priests and the whole Council kept trying to obtain false testimony against Jesus, so that they might put Him to death. 60 They did not find any, even though many false witnesses came forward. But later on two came forward, 61 and said, “This man stated, ‘I am able to destroy the temple of God and to rebuild it in three days.’” 62 The high priest stood up and said to Him, “Do You not answer? What is it that these men are testifying against You?” 63 But Jesus kept silent. And the high priest said to Him, “I adjure You by the living God, that You tell us whether You are the Christ, the Son of God.” 64 Jesus said to him, “You have said it yourself; nevertheless I tell you, hereafter you will see THE SON OF MAN SITTING AT THE RIGHT HAND OF POWER, and COMING ON THE CLOUDS OF HEAVEN.” 65 Then the high priest tore his robes and said, “He has blasphemed! What further need do we have of witnesses? Behold, you have now heard the blasphemy; 66 what do you think?” They answered, “He deserves death!” 67 Then they spat in His face and beat Him with their fists; and others slapped Him, 68 and said, “Prophesy to us, You Christ; who is the one who hit You?”

We read much of the same detail in Mark 14:53-65, but listen to the added detail in verse :65 –

Mark 14:65
Some began to spit at Him, and to blindfold Him, and to beat Him with their fists, and to say to Him, “Prophesy!” And the officers received Him with slaps in the face.

Luke tells us the same thing, only a little more succinctly –

Luke 22:63-65
63 Now the men who were holding Jesus in custody were mocking Him and beating Him, 64 and they blindfolded Him and were asking Him, saying, “Prophesy, who is the one who hit You?” 65 And they were saying many other things against Him, blaspheming.

Technically, what follows is the … “official” meeting of the Sanhedrin… Up to this point, everything Jesus was subjected to was … illegal! No “court” was convened in darkness, and now the sun has risen on the day … upon which eternity hangs…

Let’s read on –

Luke 22:66-71
66 When it was day, the Council of elders of the people assembled, both chief priests and scribes, and they led Him away to their council chamber, saying, 67 “If You are the Christ, tell us.” But He said to them, “If I tell you, you will not believe; 68 and if I ask a question, you will not answer. 69 But from now on THE SON OF MAN WILL BE SEATED AT THE RIGHT HAND of the power OF GOD.” 70 And they all said, “Are You the Son of God, then?” And He said to them, “Yes, I am.” 71 Then they said, “What further need do we have of testimony? For we have heard it ourselves from His own mouth.”

This is the “religious” trial Jesus was facing… It was one which actually put on display the utter depravity of the human heart, and the absolute corruption of the religious system that Judaism had become…

We are not only told about the religious trial Jesus was going through, but in the middle of it all, we are also told about an … internal trial … the disciples were facing. Specifically –

2. The Disciples Face a Crisis of Belief

We actually saw last time that this … crisis had already started… When Jesus was arrested in the Garden, what happened to the disciples?... Mark tells us –

Mark 14:50
And they all left Him and fled.

Let’s pick up with what John tells us about this –

John 18:15
Simon Peter was following Jesus, and so was another disciple. Now that disciple was known to the high priest, and entered with Jesus into the court of the high priest,

Stop there for a moment… Peter we know, but who is this “other disciple”?... We get more than a hint as to who this is, when we look at another place in the gospel of John where he is mentioned…

After the resurrection of Jesus, we read –

John 20:3
So Peter and the other disciple went forth, and they were going to the tomb.

The context is clear. The “other disciple” is none other than the Apostle John!... Throughout the gospel, John referred to himself as either “the disciple whom Jesus loved” (John 13:23 et.al.), or “the other disciple”...

John was –
John 18:15

Simon Peter was following Jesus, and so was another disciple. Now that disciple was known to the high priest, and entered with Jesus into the court of the high priest,

John is being bold in … hanging around and … going right into the court… The question is, how is it that the high priest knows John?

In his sermon on our passage, John MacArthur points out that – “John’s mother was Salome. Salome was related to Mary. Mary was related to Elizabeth. Elizabeth was married to Zechariah, and Zechariah was a priest. So there was a family connection with John’s family, and before he became a disciple of Christ, that connection could have been an important connection… Because he was known to the high priest, he just walked in right with Jesus…”4 –

John 18:16-18
16 but Peter was standing at the door outside. So the other disciple, who was known to the high priest, went out and spoke to the doorkeeper, and brought Peter in. 17 Then the slave-girl who kept the door said to Peter, “You are not also one of this man’s disciples, are you?” He said, “I am not.” 18 Now the slaves and the officers were standing there, having made a charcoal fire, for it was cold and they were warming themselves; and Peter was also with them, standing and warming himself.

Jump down to verse :25 –

John 18:25-27
25 Now Simon Peter was standing and warming himself. So they said to him, “You are not also one of His disciples, are you?” He denied it, and said, “I am not.” 26 One of the slaves of the high priest, being a relative of the one whose ear Peter cut off, said, “Did I not see you in the garden with Him?” 27 Peter then denied it again, and immediately a rooster crowed.

Matthew tells us about a little more animation was involved in Peter’s third denial… Let’s read it quickly –

Matthew 26:74
74 Then he began to curse and swear, “I do not know the man!” And immediately a rooster crowed.

Luke tells us that when the rooster crowed –

Luke 22:61-62
61 The Lord turned and looked at Peter. And Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how He had told him, “Before a rooster crows today, you will deny Me three times.” 62 And he went out and wept bitterly.

I am grateful this is not all to Peter’s story… I can’t wait to unpack what is recorded in John 21, where Jesus … purposefully, powerfully, and personally restores Peter! But, right now, Peter is … broken!

C.H. Spurgeon – “After his final denial Peter not only went out, but he wept. As he kept on turning over his sin, it appeared to him in all its blackest hue. We are told he wept bitterly. Convulsive weeping came on him. He could not stand himself. His heart seemed as if it would flow away in rivers of repentant tears. It is a blessed sign of the work of grace in the soul when the man who has sinned quits his evil companions and mourns over his sin as one who is in bitterness for his firstborn. If any of us have sinned like Peter, we should go and weep like Peter. If we have fallen like Peter, then let our soul bitterly bewail our transgressions. Many talk about the greatness of David’s sin, but if they knew the depths of David’s repentance and the heartbreak that came with it, they would not so glibly speak of it. There is a tradition that Peter never heard a rooster crow or thought of this incident as long as he lived without weeping. And although that is only a tradition, I can well believe it was the case, for that is just what would be likely to happen to a true penitent.”5

What about you?... Have you experienced a similar “crisis of faith” that Peter, and the other disciples have?... When you do – not if you do – keep in mind, that the Lord is greater than your crisis. He can see you through it! Keep your heart surrendered, your mind filled with truth, and your gaze upon the Lord!...

Questions to Consider in Community Group:

• Why would Annas and Caiaphas both be referred to as“the high priest”?

• What was the “prophesy” pronounced by Caiaphas, that he didn’t even

realize he was making?

• Why, do you suppose, were the religious officials so abusive to Jesus during their so-called “trials”?

• What stands out to you about Peter’s experiences in denying Jesus?

• Have you ever had a “crisis of belief”? What should a Christian do

when they experience such a challenge to their faith?

• What other points of application do you glean from our passage?

• What are your thoughts about any of the quotes shared?

C.H. Spurgeon – “I do not find any indication that His bonds were unloosed by Annas, or that he had even a moment’s relief or relaxation granted to him; but, with the cruel ropes still binding him fast, he was sent across the great hall into the other wing of the palace in which Caiaphas resided.”

Leon Morris – “Jesus might expect little from such a judge. Here was no idealist ready to see that justice was done, but a cynical politician who had already spoken in favor of Jesus’ death.”

C.H. Spurgeon – “After his final denial Peter not only went out, but he wept. As he kept on turning over his sin, it appeared to him in all its blackest hue. We are told he wept bitterly. Convulsive weeping came on him. He could not stand himself. His heart seemed as if it would flow away in rivers of repentant tears. It is a blessed sign of the work of grace in the soul when the man who has sinned quits his evil companions and mourns over his sin as one who is in bitterness for his firstborn. If any of us have sinned like Peter, we should go and weep like Peter. If we have fallen like Peter, then let our soul bitterly bewail our transgressions. Many talk about the greatness of David’s sin, but if they knew the depths of David’s repentance and the heartbreak that came with it, they would not so glibly speak of it. There is a tradition that Peter never heard a rooster crow or thought of this incident as long as he lived without weeping. And although that is only a tradition, I can well believe it was the case, for that is just what would be likely to happen to a true penitent.”