The first 2 Trials of Jesus

There were 6 separate trials that on His way to the Cross.  3  religious and 3 civial trials.

They took place before a man named Annas, the Supreme Court of Israel, then culminated with religous sentenceing at about 5o'clock in the morning.
Then the  Civil trials, Before Pilate, Herod and Pilate again. Each one of these tirals was lie.
They made a mockery of law and justice, But Jesus knew this was coming.

Friday 1:30:am-3am
Trial #1- Before Annas
Annas

Jesus before the Priests

¹² So the Roman ^[a]cohort and the ^[b]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.

Annas had been the high priest for many years, finally the Romans came to him and said "Annas, we like you, but is time for you to step down. do you have any sons?" Annas said "Yes, I have a few sons."

 So the Romans said, "Pick one of your sons to be the ruling high priest." - he played their game.

After a few years, came to him again, and said "do you have another son?" - Annas had 5 sons. all served as high priest. Years later, Romans came back and asked if there were more sons, he said "no, but I have a son-in-law named Caiphas." - Caiaphas was the ruling high priest during the time of Christ,  the power behind it all was Annas, Annas' family was rich, -- They were crooks, For example - when  someone went to  the temple to sacrifice a lamb the officials would tell them "you cant bring any lamb in here... you need a 'temple-approved' lamb." and aof course a "temple approved lamb came with a cost....

Annas and  temple officials ran a money changing operation within the temple grounds they weould demand a special currency, and then sell it at an inflated rate... it was robbery.

a few days before Jesus' arrest, he went to the temple and drove out the animals out of the temple with a whip. he turned over money changers tables and said "my Father's house will not be a den of thievs" - Annas was mad.

It appears Jesus had been getting under Anna's skin for awhile, he didnt like the fact that Jesus was popular. this made him and other religious leaders look bad.  Jesus had hit Annas right where it hurt the most... in his wallet...

Annas was thrilled to have Jesus brought his way in the middle of the night, He knew that he needed to move fast, while people of Jerusalem were still asleep... Annas couldnt afford a religious riot on his hands.. his goal was have him convicted of an offense... any offense that would convince Pilate Jesuas was worthy of death. With luck he could have Jesus crusified before anyone knew what was going on... but if people woke up to find Jesus in Annas cusotdy it wouldnt be pretty..

During the first  trial every basic rule fof Jewish law was broken: no charges read, no witnesses, no evidence.. instead Annas began his interrogation of Jesus:  He was trying to get Jesus to admit that He taught for the porpose of a revolution, for the overthrow of the Roman Empire... His goal was to get Jesus to speak and  incrimate Himself... it was out of bounds...
John 18

 ¹⁹ The high priest then questioned Jesus about His disciples, and about His teaching.  (John 18:19)

²⁰ Jesus answered him, “I have spoken openly to the world; I always taught in ^[g]synagogues and in the temple, where all the Jews come together; and I spoke nothing in secret. Why do you question Me? Question those who have heard what I spoke to them; they know what I said.”

Jesus was calling Annas to order, Jesus' display of calm authority and direcness andgured one of the guards:When He had said this, one of the officers standing nearby struck Jesus, saying, “Is that the way You answer the high priest?”

Annas wasnt getting far with Jesus, and was obvious that he wasnt going to get self incriminating info from Him, but he did stall long enough for the Supreme Court of Isreal to gather in the middle of the night to hear the case....

Friday 1:30-3:30Am

Trial #2- Before the Supreme Court of Israel.

Took before Caiaphas and a group of leaders had the "Sanhdrin." - this court consisted of 70 men plus the high priest - they needed at least 25 members to carry on their business...The met in Caiaphas's house in middle of the night and began the trial. it ws illegal... against the law for them to meet or rul at night, ... breaking their own rules  to put Jesus on trial.

They didnt have a charge against Jesus. They needed 2 witnesses who would agree on specific charges against Him...  they approached the spectators in the audience, seeking 2 witnesses - They found a couple of people who agreed they'd heard Jesus make a statement against the temple.

Mark 14:58

New International Version (NIV)

⁵⁸ “We heard him say, ‘I will destroy this temple made with human hands and in three days will build another, not made with hands.’”

What was the charge? that He would somehow wreck the temple,?? this wasnt a serious enough charge to stand before pilate... Caiaphas made his move...

Mark 14:61

Then the high priest stood up before them and asked Jesus, “Are you not going to answer? What is this testimony that these men are bringing against you?” ⁶¹ But Jesus remained silent and gave no answer. Again the high priest asked him, “Are you the Messiah, the Son of the Blessed One?”
⁶² “I am,” said Jesus. “And you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven.”

The high priest was so disgusted in this and he tore his garments...

⁶³ The high priest tore his clothes. “Why do we need any more witnesses?” he asked. ⁶⁴ “You have heard the blasphemy. What do you think?”
They all condemned him as worthy of death. ⁶⁵ Then some began to spit at him; they blindfolded him, struck him with their fists, and said, “Prophesy!” And the guards took him and beat him.

  

Then it all got ugly, some leaders spat in Jesus' face, and  hit Him,  they blindfolded,  and pulled at his beard, mocked him, called him ugly names... Jesus just stood thear and  recieved it... WHY? because He loves us so much that  it hurts.  this was just the beginning of it all....