November 14 = Life of Christ #226 (Matthew 26:57-68; Mark 14:53-65) Caiaphas Questions Jesus

To Caiaphas, High Priest
Matthew 26:57, 58
Mark 14:53, 54
Luke 22:54
John 18:18, 24

Peter Again Denies
Matthew 26:69-72
Mark 14:66-70a
Luke 22:55-58
John 18:25

Before Caiaphas And Council
Matthew 26:59-66
Mark 14:53-64

Jesus Is Abused
Matthew 26:67-68
Mark 14:64
Luke 22:63-65

Jesus Appears before Caiaphas

Matthew 26:57–68; Mark 14:53–65; Luke 22:54, 63–65; John 18:24

^{Mt 26:57–58}Those who had arrested Jesus led Him away to Caiaphas the high priest, where the scribes and the elders had convened. ⁵⁸Meanwhile, Peter was following Him at a distance right to the high priest’s courtyard. He went in and was sitting with the temple police to see the outcome, ^{Mk 14:54b}warming himself by the fire.

^{Mt 26:59–61a}The chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin were looking for false testimony against Jesus so they could put Him to death. ⁶⁰But they could not find any, even though many false witnesses came forward [^{Mk 14:56b}For many were giving false testimony against Him, but the testimonies did not agree]. Finally, two who came forward ^61astated, ^{Mk 14:58–59}“We heard Him say, ‘I will demolish this sanctuary made by hands, and in three days I will build another not made by hands.’ ” ⁵⁹But not even on this did their testimony agree.

^{Mt 26:62–63}The high priest then stood up and said to Him, “Don’t You have an answer to what these men are testifying against You?” ⁶³But Jesus kept silent. Then the high priest said to Him, “By the living God I place You under oath^†: tell us if You are the Messiah, the Son of God!”

⁶⁴“You have said it yourself [^{Mk 14:62a}I am],” Jesus told him. “But I tell you, in the future you will see ‘the Son of Man seated at the right hand’ of the Power, and ‘coming on the clouds of heaven.’ ”

⁶⁵Then the high priest tore his robes and said, “He has blasphemed! Why do we still need witnesses? Look, now you’ve heard the blasphemy! ^66aWhat is your decision?”

^66bThey answered, “He deserves death!”

^{Mk 14:65}Then some began to spit on Him, to blindfold Him, and to beat Him, saying, “Prophesy!” Even the temple police took Him and slapped Him. ^{Lk 22:65}And they were saying many other blasphemous things against Him.^[1]

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^[1] Knight, G. W. (2001). A simplified harmony of the Gospels (pp. 225–226). Holman Bible Publishers.

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More Resources:
Mark 14:53-65: Trial #1 (Sanhedrin Trial)
http://johnmarkhicks.wordpress.com/2012/07/17/mark-1453-65-trial-1-jewish-trial/

Caiaphas the High Priest

The high priest was the most powerful and influential religious leader among the Jews. He served as president and convener of the Sanhedrin, the highest ruling body of the Jewish nation.

Aaron was the first high priest (Exod. 28–29), and He served a strictly religious function. But the high priesthood evolved over the centuries into a political office held by those who could garner the favor of the Jewish elders or the ruling civil authorities. Caiaphas had been appointed high priest in a.d. 18 by the Roman procurator, Valerius Gratus. Caiaphas apparently succeeded his father-in-law Annas in this position (see Luke 3:2).

Some time before Jesus was arrested and dragged before the Sanhedrin, Caiaphas had determined that Jesus must die for blasphemy and sedition in order to pacify the Roman authorities (see segment 143, “The Sanhedrin’s Plot against Jesus,” p. 168). This shows that he was an underhanded schemer who put political expediency above truth and honesty.

Archaeologists working just outside Jerusalem have discovered an ornate tomb that bears the name of a “Caiaphas.” Perhaps this is the burial place of the very Caiaphas before whom Jesus appeared.

https://www.youtube.com/c/edmondchurchofchrist

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Matthew 26:63‐64 ‐‐ “But Jesus remained silent. The high priest said to him, ‘I charge you under oath by the living God: Tell us if you are the Christ, the Son of God.’ ‘Yes, it is as you say.’" 

What was to happen to Jesus in the next 24 hours hinged on His answer.  He knew that pain, suffering, separation, and heartache for Him and others would be the result of an affirmative answer.  He also knew that truth and God’s power hinged on His positive affirmation of Who He was.  

How often are you faced with a similar opportunity to affirm who you are in Christ or to deny Him?  It is doubtful any government entity will put you on trial with this question, but the question does come to you in numerous other ways:  (1) Demonstrating your honesty when confronted with the opportunity to be dishonest; (2) Demonstrating God’s peace and presence in your life by how you respond and treat others; (3) Demonstrating a character trait of dependability and thoroughness at work and with others that says your character is different from other people; and (4) How you respond to trials and tribulations.  

Those around you are asking the questions: “Tell me if you are a follower of Christ?” “Show me that a follower of Christ is more than words, but a life changed by the risen Christ!”  Your life may struggle at times to answer these questions, but a follower of Christ who is constantly under the skillful hands of Jesus Christ will be constantly telling others through their actions that “I am a follower of Christ.”  

Isaiah 64:8 says, “Yet, O LORD, You are our Father. We are the clay, You are the potter; we are all the work of Your hand.”  Each day you run in a race in which Christ desires to live His life through you as an example to others.  Run your race with zest and vigor, knowing that it is God Himself that works in you to do the good work!

1 Corinthians 9:24‐27 ‐‐ “Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air. No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.”  

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https://youtu.be/qFEULNye4l4?list=PLFcO2Quu62KLWLVlxkB0OuOWSLiTAxz4n