THe Noose Continues to Tighten - Day 5

"On the evidence of two witnesses or three witnesses, he who is to die shall be put to death; he shall not be put to death on the evidence of one witness" (Deut. 17:6).

Hey Gang: Today, in America, we have a Grand Jury System that determines if there is enough evidence to take an accused perpetrator to court.  We also have a law that clearly states - a person must be charged with a crime before a referee or court of law within a number of days after their arrest.  There is no such procedures required in the Mosaic and Talmudic law.  Such institutions as Grand Juries, State Attorney's and preliminary hearings were an abomination to the Law. 

Therefore, when they took Jesus before Annas (John 18:13) in the middle of night, it was without question, absolutely illegal under the law. Add to this that Annas was no longer the high priest and had no authority.  Thus, it was illegal for two reasons;  first, it was at night and second, no one person could legally interrogate either the accused or a witness.  The Sanhedrin rules were very clear, an examining board had to consist of three to seven Sanhedrin members.  No one person could independently interrogate a witness or an accused person.

It was also clear that no man could incriminate himself or be subject to punishment on his own confession.  It had to be supported by the testimony of two or three witnesses.  This, too, was based on Mosaic Law as found in Deut. 17:6; 19:6; Num. 35:30.

Jesus knew the law and let Annas know it; His response to Annas, "I have spoken openly to the world; I always taught in the 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" (John 18:20-21).

Jesus knew that to be interrogated by the High Priest alone, or without His consent, by the Sanhedrin, was illegal, and any verdict passed down would be null and void.   He also knew that, if two or more witnesses did not support their verdict, it would be null and void.

Soooo, in closing for this day let’s do a quick review in preparation for looking at the "procedures of the trial" in the next segment.  We have determined that the arrest and hearing before Annas and Caiaphas were illegal,  as defined by their own laws.  We have determined that business conducted by the Sanhedrin at night was null and void.   We have also learned that it was not lawful to have a trial the day before their Sabbath or a feast day, and we have learned that this was the Passover Week, in which every day was a Feast Day!

And then came the trials.

Blessings,

Gramps