Religious Education

The GCSE Course: Mark's Gospel

The Trial of Jesus before the Sanhedrin

Mark 14:53-65

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Notes

What happens?

After Jesus' arrest in the Garden of Gethsemane, he is taken, during the night, to the Sanhedrin (the Jewish Council). Here, false witnesses are brought before him, and for the first time Jesus is open about being the Messiah: he admits openly that he is the Christ, the chosen one of God. After this he is to be taken for a second trial before Pilate, the Roman Governor.

An Unfair Trial

Mark presents the Sanhedrin convening an unfair trial, because they are so determined to have Jesus put to death.

• Witnesses are brought against Jesus, but they are lying, and their evidence does not agree. The trial is held at night Jesus is not able to bring any witnesses in his defence. The High Priest asks Jesus a direct question to incriminate himself. This also was probably against the rules. It is unlikely that the claim to be Messiah is, according to Jewish law, blasphemy.

  The End of the Messianic Secret

  When Jesus is asked if he is the Messiah he openly admits that he is. This dramatic occasion is the only one in Mark's Gospel when Jesus admits he is the Christ and does not try and make witnesses silent.

  Blasphemy

  The tearing of the robes is a common Jewish reaction to the hearing of blasphemy. (Blasphemy is words or an act which insults God.)

  The penalty for blasphemy under the Jewish law is stoning. This is the sentence which was carried out on Stephen (Acts 7:58). However, the other Gospels explain that the Romans did not allow the Jews to carry out executions, so the council had to take Jesus to Pilate for the sentence which they wanted to be carried out.
  
  

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  The complete text of Mark's Gospel

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