The only thing the Jewish authorities feared was reaction from the common people for these counted Jesus as their king, their only hope of deliverance from Roman rule. It was with haste that the captain of the palace guard delivered Jesus to Annas (John 18:13). There is no reason given why the captain felt he should take Jesus to the mansion of Annas, unless it was to show due respect to Annas, the head of the priestly family. Whatever the reason, it seems that Annas considered the whole affair to be the responsibility of Caiaphas, for he immediately sent Jesus on to the high priest. If there was any message of charge conveyed to Caiaphas at this time there is no record of such. It so happens that Matthew skips over the visit to Annas in his record and starts out with Jesus being delivered to Caiaphas.
Quoting Matthew then: “And they that had laid hold on Jesus led him away to Caiaphas the high priest, where the scribes and the elders were assembled. But Peter followed him afar off unto the high priests palace, and went in, and sat with the servants, to see the end. 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 (Jesus), 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. Then did they spit in his face, and buffeted him; and others smote him with the palms of their hands, saying, Prophesy unto us, thou Christ, who is he that smote thee?” Matt. 26:57-68.
Caiaphas considered himself the guardian of the sacred law as delivered by Moses; he was head of the priestly family and they dominated the people, what they said in a sense became law. There was no way that the Jewish counsel could lawfully put Jesus to death, therefore the Jews were obliged to take Jesus before Pilate and somehow convince him that Jesus was a threat to the peace of the Jewish state, or better still somehow have him declared a criminal of Roman law. Caiphas knew care must be taken to avoid too much emphasis on a religious charge because the Roman court was indifferent to such matters. It was then decided to put the whole responsibility on Pilate. The Jews did not want to defile themselves on account of “the feast of the Passover, so Pilate had to go out to them.” John 18:28-29.
Starting then by quoting Luke: “And the whole multitude of them arose, and led him (Jesus) unto Pilate. And they began to accuse him, saying, We found this fellow perverting the nation, and forbidding to give tribute to Caesar, saying that he himself is Christ a King. And Pilate asked him, saying, Art thou the King of the Jews? And he answered him and said, “Thou sayest it.”
Then Pilate said, to the chief priests and to the people, I find no fault in this man. And they were the more fierce, saying, he stirreth up the people, teaching throughout all Jewry, beginning from Galilee to this place.
When Pilate heard of Galilee, he asked whether the man were a Galilean. And 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.
And 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. Then he questioned with him in many words; but he answered him nothing. And the chief priests and scribes stood and vehemently accused him, and 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.
Pilate and Herod were made friends together: for before they were at enmity between themselves.” Luke 23:1-12.
Pilate so far was unwilling to grant the Jews their request, try as they did to persuade him, for he knew it was for envy that the Jews wanted Jesus put to death. Then too, Pilate’s wife sent him a message recorded by Matthew: “When Pilate was set down on the judgement seat, his wife sent unto him, saying, have thou nothing to do with that just man: for I have suffered many things this day in a dream because of him.” Matt. 27:19.
Pilate, stalling for time, tested the true feeling of the multitude, for he felt surely they would show some compassion. Therefore he asked: “Whom will ye that I release unto you? Barabbas, or Jesus which is called Christ?” (verse 17).
The chief priests and elders persuaded the multitude that they should ask Barabbas, and destroy Jesus.” (verse 21)).
Pilate saith unto them, what shall I do then with Jesus which is called Christ? They all say unto him, let him be crucified. And the governor said, why, what evil hath he done? But they cried out the more, saying, let him be crucified.
When Pilate saw that he could prevail nothing, but rather a tumult was made, he took water, and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, I am innocent of the blood of this just person: see ye to it. Then answered all the people, and said, His blood be on us, and on our children.” Matt. 27:22-25.
For envy then the Jews cast away their hopes of deliverance through Jesus Christ, for if there ever was a person that fit the words of the prophets it was in the person of Jesus. He was qualified in every way for the one they hoped for: the priests and elders were not ignorant of what their scriptures (old testament) taught, for we have this record stated in John chapter one: “Again the next day after John stood, and two of his disciples; and looking upon Jesus saith, Behold the Lamb of God! And the two disciples heard him speak, and they followed Jesus. Then Jesus turned, and saw them following, and saith unto them, What seek ye? They said unto him Rabbi (which is to say being interpreted, Master) where dwellest thou? He saith unto them, ‘come and see’.” They came and saw where he dwelt, and abode with him that day: for it was about the tenth hour. One of the two which heard John speak, and followed him, was Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother. He first findeth his own brother Simon, and saith unto him, We have found the Messias, which is being
interpreted, the Christ.” John 1:35-41. All the prominent Jews knew there was to be a Messias raised up at some period of time and they were aware from the time Christ was circumcised, for God in His plan made sure there would be witnesses to the fact that Jesus the Messias was born.
First there were angels that alerted the shepherds in the field: “And, Lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.” Luke 2:9-11.
The Origin of the Organic World – Part One