THE SIX TRIALS OF JESUS, THE MESSIAH

LUKE 22:63-71 LUKE 23:1-25
Lesson #59
THE SIX TRIALS OF JESUS, THE MESSIAH

Memory Verse: Luk 22:69
We have arrived at the final days of Jesus’ earthly ministry where every detail of prophecy is being fulfilled.
Read Luke 22:63-65
- The arrest:
  - ^“And the men that held Jesus mocked him, and smote him.” (63)
    - The prophecies:
      - Read Psa 22:7, 8, 17
      - Read Isa 50:6
      - Read Isa 53:2-3
      - Read Mic 5:1
    - Putting all the Gospel accounts together we see the details of Jesus’ suffering spelled out in detail as He fulfilled the Old Testament prophecies. (Mat 26:67 Mat 27:26-31, 39-43; Mar 14:65 Mar 15:15-19, 29-32, 36; Luk 17:25 Luk 23:18, 35-39; Joh 19:29)
    - The fact that He knew the Old Testament prophecies because He was God in the flesh, He knew ahead of time exactly what He would suffer.
- The trials:
  - Again we must put all the Gospel accounts together to arrive at the consecutive details of Jesus’ various trials for there was more than one trial. In fact there were 6 trials:
    - Trial #1 = Jesus before the Jewish High Priest, Annas:
      - Read Joh 18:12-14, 19-23
      - There was no verdict of guilty.
    - Trial #2 = Jesus before the Jewish High Priest, Caiphas:
      - Read Joh 18:24
      - There was no verdict of guilty.
    - Trial #3 = Jesus before the Jewish religious council of the Sanhedrin:
      - Read Luk 22:66-71 (Mat 26:59-68 Mar 14:55-65 Mar 15:1)

Remember that there were at least two members of this council that believed in Jesus as the Messiah. They were Nicodemus that came to Jesus at night to get saved. And Joseph of Arimathea in whose tomb Jesus was buried.

This trial was an illegal trial as it was held at night when all members were not present, and there were no witnesses permitted to testify on behalf of Jesus. It was also illegal to make a decision the same day of the arrest.

Jesus’ prophecy of His future: (69)

Read Psa 110:1 The prophecy for Jesus’ statement in verse 69.

Today Jesus is seated at God’s right hand during this age of grace.

The right hand position was to indicate the position of blessing and authority.

Notice that the Sanhedrin understood the prophecy because they asked Him if He is the Son of God. (70)

If Jesus had answered them directly, He would have been guilty of treason for Rome considered anyone that said they were the Messiah a potential threat to the Roman Empire.

The answer Jesus gave them was one they understood and made them angry. He said, “You say that I AM.” (70)

I have capitalized the “I AM” because in our language we do not see the significance of His answer.

The “I AM” statement identified Jesus as the one who met Moses in the burning bush and said His name is I AM.

Because Jesus said that He was the God in the burning bush that met Moses in the book of Exodus, the Jewish religious leaders accused Him of blasphemy.

Persecution and mockery as a prophet:

While Jesus was in the hands of the temple soldiers, they beat him. The cruel amusement of the soldiers was a game called “Hot Hand”.

While blindfolded each soldier would hit Jesus in the face except for one soldier. Then the blindfold was removed. They asked Jesus to identify which soldier did not hit him.

Because He was a prophet, He would easily be able to tell which one was not guilty of hitting Him, but He did not respond.

Read Psa 22:6-8 (Isa 53:2, 14)

Because of this game and the cruelty of the soldiers, the prophecies tells us that Jesus’ face was so marred that he did not look human.

- - - Trial #4 = Jesus before Pilate
      - Read Luk 23:1-5 (Mat 27:2,11-14 Mar 15:1-5 Joh 18:28-38)

Pilate was the governor put in charge by the government of Rome over the city of Jerusalem.

Pilate was given specific instructions by Rome to keep the Jews under control because there were frequent minor rebellions by the Jews to gain their independence from Rome.

These minor skirmishes often occurred during Passover when the city was over-burdened with Jewish tourists that were required to attend the Passover celebration in the Jewish temple in Jerusalem. Because of that Pilate put Roman soldiers on the temple walls during Passover.

- - - - Pilate asked Jesus if He was the king of the Jews to determine if Jesus was guilty of treason. Jesus did not answer this question to fulfill prophecy.
      - The charges brought by the Jewish leaders:

Because the Jews were under the government of the Roman Empire, they had no authority to pronounce judgment on Jesus to order His crucifixion. The death penalty must be determined and carried out by the Romans.

The specific charges: (2)

=1= Perverting the nation: They accused him of leading a potential rebellion by gathering people to Him. Jesus never promoted the overthrow of the Roman government.

=2= Not paying tribute to Caesar: We know this was not true because He miraculously took a coin from the mouth of a fish to pay Caesar.

=3= Saying that He is the Messiah King: This charge is true but it did not break any Roman law.

- - - - Pilate decided Jesus had not broken any Roman law. (4)
    - Trial #5 = Jesus before King Herod
      - Read Luk 23:6-12

King Herod was a local King appointed by Rome to have authority over Galilee and the surrounding area.

King Herod happened to be at his palace in Jerusalem at the time, so Pilate sent Jesus to Him because of the pressure put on him by the Jewish leadership.

King Herod was happy to see Jesus come before him for judgment, why?

Jesus’ reputation had grown because of the multitudes that followed Him. He was glad to see Jesus just out of simple curiosity.

Because of the miracles Jesus had done, Herod had his own miracle in mind. (8)

Herod had many questions but Jesus did not answer any of them. Why? (9)

Read Isa 53:7

Read Psa 2:2

Jesus’ silence was to fulfill prophecy. (9) (Mat 27:12)

The mockery was to fulfill prophecy. (11)

- - - - The result of this trial

Herod and Pilate became friends. (12)

Jesus was not guilty. (15)

- - - Trial #6 = Jesus before Pilate again.
      - Read Luk 23:13-25 (Mat 27:25-26 Mar 15:6-15 Joh 18:39-19:16)

To please the Jewish leadership, Pilate decided to punish Jesus and let him go. (16)

However, according to Roman law, punishment was illegal without a declaration of guilt. At least two credible witnesses were necessary.

- - - - The substitutionary death of Jesus for Barabbas:

Barabbas was already in prison having been found guilty of sedition against Rome and for murder.

Barabbas represents all people that are sinners and guilty in God’s perspective.

Jesus died on the cross in place of Barabbas.

In the same way, Jesus died on the cross in the place of you and me.

Therefore Isa 53:5-6 gives us the prophecy that He was wounded for our transgressions, and that God put on Jesus Christ the iniquity of us all.

- - - - Pilate’s attempt to keep the peace:

Pilate was in a very difficult position.

In reality Pilate was the one on trial, not Jesus. He could not morally stick with Roman law so he compromised law for convenience.

Pilate had to keep the Jewish leadership happy so that they would keep the Jewish people from rebelling. The leadership was determined to see Jesus crucified. (23)

Pilate had to keep Rome happy for if the Jews rebelled, Pilate would lose his position.

In reality Pilate did lose his position not too long after the crucifixion. When you compromise your integrity you will never come out ahead.

- Jesus endured six trials at hands of men. Why six?
  - The number 6 in the Bible is the symbolic number of man, fallen short of God’s standard of perfection which is number 7.
    - It is the evil in the hearts of all men that brought Jesus to the cross.
    - He suffered the cruelest death ever designed by man even though He was totally innocent.
    - He became sin for us that we might be free of sin and death.
  - And yet while men did their worst to put Jesus on the cross, it was totally God’s designed plan.
    - Isa 53:10 says, “Yet it pleased the Lord to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the Lord shall prosper in his hand.”
    - What do we learn from this verse?
      - The crucifixion pleased God.
      - Why?

He became the sin offering for those of us who have received Christ into our hearts as our personal savior.

We are his seed that prolongs his days because He lives His life through us making Christ’s kingdom prosper. (Gal 2:20)

Homework
Luke 23:26-56

Application of Luk 22:63-71 and Luk 23:1-25
- What new details have you learned about the trials and crucifixion of Jesus Christ?
- What difference do these details make in your life in regards to:
  - …your love for Him?
  - …your dedication to live for Him?
  - …your commitment to serve Him?
Preparation for Luk 23:26-56
- Read Luk 23:26-56
  - What do you think it means when it says Jesus dismissed his spirit? (46) (An advanced question)
  - Why did Jesus have to die on the cross when He was innocent?
Memory Verse: Gal 3:13