CHAPTER I Page 4G-D'S CALENDAR
BEFORE THE SANHEDRIN
c) Yeshua is taken captive and interrogated on
Yom chamishi/5th day [or late Wednesday evening].John 13:30; 18:3, 28
Following the Seder of the New Covenant in His blood (not that of lambs, goats or oxen), Scriptures were fulfilled in rapid succession. It was in the night of the fifth day, still well before midnight, that Yeshua was arrested furtively. He was first taken to the house of Annas, the father-in-law of Caiaphas, who wished to inquire of the Nazarene personally before Caiaphas did. Pricked in his self-righteous pride by Yeshua’s answers, he sent Him to Caiaphas37, the high priest. There all the chief priests, elders and scribes were awaiting Yeshua’s arrival.
They also had gathered many false witnesses in the hope of obtaining at least two testimonies that would agree and prove convincing enough to put Yeshua to death37Y. But they found none. At the time of the cockcrow the whole assembly brought Him to the hastily gathered Sanhedrin to interrogate Him38. Perhaps the council could somehow trap Him with His own words, catching Him in some irregularity39.
I would like to note here that not all the members of the Sanhedrin desired Yeshua’s death - on the contrary. Two members in particular are mentioned by name: Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus40, who believed in Him secretly (as did also a large number of priests who, for fear of being cast out of the synagogue, remained anonymous41/g). They argued in His defense, albeit in vain. They too did not perceive Messiah’s twofold mission: at His First Coming to destroy the power of Satan42, and at His Second Coming to destroy all of Israel's enemies who are also G-d’s and His enemies. Because Israel is still G-d’s Chosen, and Yeshua is her King.
The council questioned Him as to whether or not He was the Messiah, as they had done many times before. Despite having witnessed the signs He performed in fulfillment of prophecy by Moses, the prophets, the Law and the Psalms, they refused to believe the testimony of His works. Finally they queried, “Are you, then, the Son of G-d?” When He answered, “YOU say that I am,” Caiaphas performed a grandiose act of "holy indignation" by tearing his robe and exclaiming, “Blasphemy! What further testimony do we need? We have heard it ourselves from his own lips! What is your decision?”43 The decision, of course, was a foregone conclusion.
It was early in the morning, probably about 4:00 a.m.44, of the fifth day, now being Thursday45. They began to spit on Him, pull out His beard, blindfold and punch Him in the face46. Then they rushed Him over to Pilate for that Roman to do the dirty work of putting Him to death. They could not defile themselves with such a deed the night before Passover. In fact, they did not even enter Pilate’s headquarters to avoid ritual defilement. Note, these were not the people, but the religious leaders who acted so despicably.
Pilate asked Yeshua many questions, trying to intimidate Him and provoke Him to defend Himself against the priests’, elders’, scribes’ and council’s accusations. But Yeshua made no reply47. The religious leaders’ insistance48 and Yeshua’s silence frustrated Pilate. His superstitious fear of the Jews’ strange monotheistic religion and laws spurred an apprehension of ominous events, aggravated by his wife’s message to “have nothing to do with this righteous Man.” 49 He sought a way out of this snare. When he learned that Yeshua was a Galilean and therewith under Herod’s jurisdiction, he drew a breath of profound relief. Let Herod50, that viper, see how to get out of this snakepit. They had some “prophet king” whom they wanted Rome to kill. How would Caesar react to this?!
Immediately they rushed Yeshua over to Herod who was delighted to see Him. For a long time now he had desired to see Him perform some miracle. Those Jewish prophets were incredible magicians. But the Nazarene proved a great disappointment for Herod and his court. Why, He was boring. Was He dumb51? Had He no brains to discern His opportunity for His own defense? Aahh, who understood these Jews and their religion? The Nazarene was just another weird religious fanatic like that John the Baptizer. The reports about Him obviously were greatly exaggerated because He didn’t perform a single sign. The man was harmless. Let Pilate deal with the priests and the council. This was no concern for the tetrarch of Galilee.
He and his soldiers first had their sport with Yeshua to get at least some entertainment out of this mute Nazarene. Then they clothed this “king of the Jews” in a splendid robe and sent Him back to Pilate52.
Immediately Pilate gathered the chief priests and elders to announce his and Herod’s verdict of the Nazarene: innocent53. Not guilty of any of their charges. But in order to prevent another riotous shouting match he offered to have the innocent man flogged. Hopefully that would appease them.
Not so. On the contrary. They shouted louder than ever. “Crucify him!”, they demanded54. A mob of curious onlookers gathered outside the praetorium. By that time probably all of Jerusalem had heard the news: “They have arrested the Rabbi!” So a large crowd assembled expecting Pilate to release a prisoner to them, as was his custom at Passover55. They may have desired the release of Yeshua, son of David, the miracle working Nazarene. Many had followed Him not only because of His teaching, but also because He had healed the sick, cast out demons, raised the dead and -- filled their bellies with food56. But the chief priests stirred them up to request Barrabas instead57, a notorious zealot put in prison for insurrection and murder58 (today he would be called a “Jewish terrorist”). For the belly, the pocket, and for entertainment the rabble of the world will do anything. So, together with their religious leaders, they shouted with loud voices, “Crucify him! We want Barrabas!”
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