October 14, 2023
Kangaroo Court
“So the Roman cohort and the commander and the officers of the Jews, arrested Jesus and bound Him, and led Him to Annas first; for he was father-in-law of Caiaphas, who was high priest that year. Now Caiaphas was the one who had advised the Jews that it was expedient for one man to die on behalf of the people.” John 18:12-14 (NASB)
I have been in courtrooms where justice was rendered outside the norm. Some cases were rendered in favor of the defendant where leanness was meted, and others where the defendant got way more than bargained (which happened rarely). Both were outside the sentencing guidelines. However fair in either case, justice was given by the court because the judge had the authority. Jesus too faced two courts where His case was severely stacked against Him. The court of Jews was severely stacked against Him due to the corruption of the priests, and High Priest.
“… arrested Jesus and bound Him, and led Him to Annas first; for he was father-in-law of Caiaphas, who was high priest that year.” MacArthur sums up the following events in a concise detailed event history that is too good to pass along: “Annas held the High-Priesthood office from A. D. 6-15 when Valerius Gratus, Pilate’s predecessor, removed him from office. In spite of this, Annas continued to wield influence over the office, most likely because he was still regarded as the true High-Priest and also because no fewer than 5 of his sons, and his son-in-law Caiaphas, held the office at one time or another. Two trials occurred: one Jewish and one Roman. The Jewish phase began with the informal examination by Annas (vv. 12-14, 19-23), probably giving time for the members of the Sanhedrin to hurriedly gather together. A session before the Sanhedrin was next (Matt. 26:57-68) at which consensus was reached to send Jesus to Pilate (Matt. 27:1-2). The Roman phase began with a first examination before Pilate (vv. 28-38; Matt. 27:11-14) and then Herod Antipas (‘that fox’- Luke 13:32) interrogated Hum (Luke 23:5-12). Lastly, Jesus appeared again before Pilate (vv. 38b-19:16; Matt. 27:15;31).”[1] So Jesus faced two courts, in multiple appearances. In today’s society, this criminal case would be considered double jeopardy and the accused would be set free. What is also interesting is Caiaphas's statement, “Caiaphas was the one who had advised the Jews that it was expedient for one man to die on behalf of the people.” This is similar to his statement recorded in John 11:49-50; “But one of them, Caiaphas, who was high priest that year, said to them, ‘You know nothing at all, 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.’” This is the same method of killing Jesus predicted earlier in Jesus’s ministry. The entire sect of the priesthood had become contaminated over the years, reminiscent of Jewish history centered in verse 13. Alford confirms this: “… the High Priesthood now unknown to us, but accountable enough by foreign influence and the deterioration of the priestly class through bribes and intrigues, to which Josephus and the Talmud sufficiently testify.”[2]
Old Testament practices were conducted by priests as well with a scapegoat. The priests laid their hands upon a goat, thereby transferring the sins (symbolically) of the people to the goat. This innocent goat was sent away to his death, all for sins he never committed. Our Savior took the sin of the world for me and you as well. Sin was transferred to Him for our sins!
[1] (MacArthur, John, 1997), 1621.
[2] Alford, H. (1976). (Vol. 1, p. 886). Guardian Press.