Previous messages by Rev. B. A. Shields found here
Gospel of Mark
Part 82: Jesus Before the Council
By Rev. Bruce A. Shields
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SERMON TIMELINE
- Introduction
- John the Baptist
- The Baptism of Jesus
- Temptation of Jesus
- The Preaching Ministry of Jesus I
- The Preaching Ministry of Jesus II
- The First Disciples
- A Teacher with Authority
- At the Home of Simon and Andrew
12. Jesus and the Tax Collector
13. Jesus Questioned About Fasting
15. Jesus, Lord of the Sabbath & Resurrection Sunday 2025
16. Hard Hearts and Hard Thoughts
18. Jesus Appoints the Apostles
24. Parable of the Growing Seed
25. Parable of the Mustard Seed
26. Benefits of Private Teaching
30. When Familiarity Breeds Contempt
32. Weakness in the Seat of Power
34. Feeding 5000
38. The Source of True Defilement
39. Gentile Blessed for Her Faith
40. He Has Done All Things Well
41. Jesus Feeds 4000
42. Jesus Sighs
43. Beware of Leaven
44. The Blind Man at Bethsaida
45. Who Do You Say That Jesus Is?
46. Mindful of the Things of God
49. Ashamed of Jesus and His Word
51. The Disciples ask Questions
54. Principles of Discipleship
58. The Cost and Reward of Discipleship
59. A Couple Days Before Palm Sunday
61. Greatness in the Kingdom Comes from Serving
62. Blind Bartimaeus
63. Triumphal Entry
66. Is it from Heaven or from Men?
67. Parable of the Wicked Vine Grower
68. Our Duty to God and Country
69. The Resurrection of the Dead
71. David’s Son and David’s Lord
72. Beware the Pretentious Scribes
76. The Preparations
79. Peter’s Denial
82. Jesus Before the Council
SCRIPTURE REFERENCE
Mark 14:53-65 “Then they led Jesus away to the high priest; and all the chief priests and the elders and the scribes *gathered together. 54 And Peter followed Him at a distance, right into the courtyard of the high priest; and he was sitting with the officers and warming himself at the fire.
55 Now the chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin were seeking to obtain testimony against Jesus to put Him to death, and they were not finding any. 56 For many were giving false testimony against Him, but their testimony was not consistent.
57 And some, standing up, were giving false testimony against Him, saying, 58 “We ourselves heard Him say, ‘I will destroy this sanctuary made with hands, and in three days I will build another made without hands.’” 59 And not even in this way was their testimony consistent.
60 And the high priest stood up in their midst and questioned Jesus, saying, “You answer nothing? What are these men testifying against You?” 61 But He kept silent and did not answer.
Again the high priest was questioning Him and *said to Him, “Are You the Christ, the Son of the Blessed One?” 62 And Jesus said, “I am; and you shall see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Power, and coming with the clouds of heaven.”
63 And tearing his tunics, the high priest *said, “What further need do we have of witnesses? 64 You have heard the blasphemy; how does it seem to you?”
And they all condemned Him to be deserving of death. 65 And some began to spit at Him, and to blindfold Him, and to beat Him with their fists, and to say to Him, “Prophesy!” And the officers treated Him blows with rods in the face.”
INTRODUCTION
It is now Late Thursday Night of the week of Passover.
§ Late Thursday Night: In the inner part of the temple before the Sanhedrin (TODAY’S MESSAGE)
The Sanhedrin was the highest Jewish governing and judicial council in Judea, especially in Jerusalem. Traditionally composed of about seventy members plus the high priest, it included chief priests, elders, and scribes, representing influential priestly families and leading religious authorities.
Its responsibilities included interpreting and enforcing Jewish religious law, settling major legal and theological disputes, supervising matters connected with the Temple, and judging serious accusations such as blasphemy or false teaching.
Under Roman occupation, however, its political and judicial authority was limited. Rome retained ultimate governmental power and, particularly in Judea, control over capital punishment.
Rome allowed the Jewish leadership considerable authority over religious affairs, Temple administration, and many internal legal matters, but that authority existed under Roman sovereignty.
The high priesthood itself had become politically entangled with Rome. Roman governors could influence, appoint, or remove high priests, which meant that the most powerful religious office in Judaism was not entirely independent.
This is especially visible in the trial of Jesus. The Jewish leadership could question and condemn Him on religious grounds, but they brought Him to Pontius Pilate because Rome held the decisive civil authority. Their statement, “It is not lawful for us to put anyone to death” in John 18:31 reflects that limitation.
There was also a practical political concern behind some Sanhedrin decisions. After Jesus raised Lazarus, the chief priests and Pharisees said:
“If we let Him go on like this, all men will believe in Him, and the Romans will come and take away both our place and our nation.” John 11:48
Caiaphas then argued that it was necessary for one man to die rather than risk national upheaval John 11:49-50. That passage shows that at least some of their decision-making was shaped not only by theology, but by fear of Roman intervention and preservation of their own institutional position.
One of the reasons that Jesus does not teach that we should be a “Christian Nation,” but rather, a nation of Christians, is because there is a difference between the two.
The “Christian Nation” we are supposed to be is not of this world (as Jesus said in John 18:36), but a Holy Nation, which is the church (the people!)
As Peter describes in 1 Peter 2:9 “But you are a chosen family, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.”
We should be a Nation of Christians (a Holy Nation), because worldly nations are corrupt, wicked, and ungodly.
You cannot convince me the USA is a Christian Nation, because a Christian Nation would not allow all the evil that is both legal and illegal but tolerated in this country.
Here we read Jesus having to face the evil and corrupt religious leadership of His country. Not judging rightly according to the Scriptures, but through wicked influences, with no separation between church and state, the government controlling the operation of the church.
I. THOSE WHO WERE PRESENT
a. Caiaphas the High Priest was there
i. Served as High Priest for 18 years (from 18-36 A.D.)
ii. He presided over the 70 on the Sanhedrin Council
iii. Caiaphas had predicted the death of Jesus
John 11:49-52 “But one of them, Caiaphas, who was high priest that year, said to them, “You know nothing at all, 50 nor do you take into account that it is better for you that one man should die for the people, and that the whole nation not perish.” 51 Now he did not say this from himself, but being high priest that year, he prophesied that Jesus was going to die for the nation, 52 and not for the nation only, but in order that He might also gather together into one the children of God who are scattered abroad.”
iv. John 11:53 tells us that Caiaphas was involved with the plot to kill Jesus from the very beginning.
b. Chief Priests, Elders, Scribes were there
i. Including those who had plotted to kill Jesus (Mark 14:1) and those who were sent to arrest Jesus (Mark 14:43)
c. Members of the Council were there
i. The supreme court of the Jews, the Sanhedrin, possibly including Joseph of Arimathea, and even Nicodemus
1. Joseph of Arimathea was a wealthy and respected member of the Jewish council, the Sanhedrin, who was also a disciple of Jesus, though initially in secret. He did not consent to the council’s decision against Jesus and was described as a good and righteous man who was waiting for the kingdom of God. After the crucifixion, Joseph courageously asked Pilate for Jesus’ body, wrapped it in clean linen, and placed it in his own new tomb. (Matthew 27:57-60; Mark 15:43; Luke 23:50-53; John 19:38-42)
2. Nicodemus, a Pharisee, a ruler of the Jews, and a member of the Jewish leadership, came to Jesus at night seeking understanding. Jesus taught him about the necessity of being born again and about salvation through faith in the Son of God. Later, Nicodemus defended fair treatment for Jesus before the Jewish leaders and, after the crucifixion, joined Joseph of Arimathea in preparing Jesus’ body for burial with myrrh and aloes. (John 3:1-21; John 7:50-52; John 19:39-42)
d. False witnesses were also there
i. False witnesses who were more than likely plants by the priests and council members so they could have testimony to justify their putting Jesus to death
ii. However, their testimonies, because they were mostly false, did not agree with each other, and could not be used
e. Others who were present
i. We know Peter was in the courtyard outside warming himself by a fire
ii. John 18:15-16 tells us another disciple who was known by the High Priest was also there. Possibly John.
iii. And Scripture tells us there were also servants and officers (John 18:18; Mark 14:65)
II. THE CHARGES
a. By false witnesses
i. Many told lies, but they were inconsistent
ii. Jesus would destroy the Temple, and promised to build another in three days without the hands of men.
iii. There were false charges about what He taught John 2:19-22
iv. And Jesus refused to defend Himself against any of the charges
Isaiah 53:7 “He was oppressed and He was afflicted,
Yet He did not open His mouth;
Like a lamb that is led to slaughter,
And like a sheep that is silent before its shearers,
So He did not open His mouth.”
b. Charges by Caiaphas the High Priest
i. Seeing the false witnesses could not agree in the=eir statements, Caiaphas asked, “Are you the Christ, the Son of the Blessed One?”
Mark 14:62 Jesus answers, “And Jesus said, “I am; and you shall see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Power, and coming with the clouds of heaven.”
ii. Caiaphas, so angered and outraged tore his clothing
iii. This statement leads to the charge of blasphemy, which is deserving of death
Officially charged, this leads to the physical abuse of Jesus.
III. THE BEGINNING OF ABUSE TO THE LORD
a. Jesus was abused by members of the Council
i. Some began to spit on Jesus
ii. He was blindfolded and beaten
iii. Mocked to “prophesy” as they took turns striking Him
b. Jesus was abused by the Officers
i. Hit with rods and struck with the palms of their hands
Just as foretold by Isaiah in Isaiah 50:6 “I gave My back to those who strike Me, And My cheeks to those who pluck out the beard; I did not hide My face from dishonor and spitting.”
CONCLUSION
The injustice at this trial is clear. False witnesses, physical abuse. It must have also been terrible for the few who believed Jesus. Joseph, Nicodemus, if they were present.
Peter and John witnessing and hearing the proceedings take place, unable to intercede.
More importantly, how difficult it would have been for Jesus.
We know from verses such as Mark 8:31; Mark 9:31; Mark 10:33-34, that Jesus knew exactly what was coming.
We also know this, from Matthew 26:53-54 “…do you think that I cannot appeal to My Father, and He will at once put at My disposal more than twelve legions of angels? 54 Therefore, how will the Scriptures be fulfilled, which say that it must happen this way?”
A legion is between 4,000-6,000 soldiers. How powerful would that many angels be against men? And they are at the disposal of Jesus. One word would have brought them.
As Jesus says, though, if He did this, how will the scriptures be fulfilled which say it MUST happen this way?
FINAL THOUGHT
Isaiah 53:3 “He was despised and forsaken of men, A man of sorrows and acquainted with grief; And like one from whom men hide their face He was despised, and we did not esteem Him.”
There are still many today who, in one way or another, “hide their face” from the Lord. Some openly reject and despise Him. Others claim to believe in Him, yet give Him little honor, little obedience, and little place in their lives.
They may acknowledge Jesus with their lips, yet fail to esteem Him as Lord.
Jesus says in Matthew 15:8 “THIS PEOPLE HONORS ME WITH THEIR LIPS, BUT THEIR HEART IS FAR AWAY FROM ME.”
Jesus is quoting Isaiah 29:13 and applying it to religious hypocrisy, outward profession without inward devotion or obedience.
Let us open our eyes to ourselves. Examine yourself. Are you pressing on in devotion and obedience to the Lord, or are you hiding your face from Him while claiming to be His?
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