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Matthew 26:57-68 (Caiaphas)

INTRODUCTION: Our message series is called “Lead Me to the Cross,” and together we are following Jesus in his last days to the cross on Calvary. So far we have walked with Jesus through his anointing at Bethany, through his Last Supper with the disciples, and last week through his heart-wrenching prayer in the garden at Gethsemane. Today we come to his trial.

Jesus’ trial was complicated. The Jewish leaders wanted to put him to death, but they had no authority under Roman law to enforce the death penalty. So Jesus met first before the Jewish Sanhedrin to determine his guilt under Jewish law. Then they brought him before the Roman governor Pilate to secure the death penalty. Pilate was reluctant to put Jesus to death, so he sent him off to King Herod. King Herod sent him back to Pilate, and finally Pilate gave in to the Jewish leaders’ demands.

We will only look at the first of these trials this morning, the trial of Jesus before Caiaphas the high priest. It’s a courtroom drama matching anything you would see on TV. And what you will find is an innocent man who was judged unjustly so that he could go to the cross for you and me. (Read Matthew 26:57-68 and pray.)

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Have you ever been treated unfairly? Have you ever been accused of something you did not do? There is nothing quite so offensive to us as being mistreated or wrongly accused. We all want to be treated fairly, and when someone accuses us of doing something we did not do, we bristle, we get frustrated, we get all up in arms. “How could you treat me that way? How dare you accuse me of that? How dare you even think that I would do something like that?” We do not like it when people judge us unjustly.

If you have ever been treated unfairly, then please take comfort in this. Jesus knows what you’re going through. Jesus knows what it is like to be mistreated and judged unjustly. We see this very clearly in his trial before Caiaphas the high priest. Jesus’ trial was the worst case of injustice ever perpetrated in all of human history. Jesus, the perfect Son of God, was judged worthy of death by Caiaphas and the Sanhedrin.

We will look at this passage in three sections this morning: First we will look at the trumped up trial. Next, we will look at the silent defendant. And then finally we will look at the coming judge and king.

I. A trumped up trial (57-61)

So let’s begin with the trumped up trial.

   A. Illegal proceedings (57-58)

The trial of Jesus before Caiaphas was hastily arranged and full of illegal proceedings. Remember, the religious leaders had originally planned to wait until after the Passover feast to arrest Jesus. But when Jesus announced his betrayal at the Last Supper, their plans were suddenly accelerated. Judas tipped off Caiaphas, Caiaphas convened a night session of the Sanhedrin at his house, and the temple guards went off to arrest Jesus in the garden. Look at verses 57-58:

Those who had arrested Jesus took him to Caiaphas, the high priest, where the teachers of the law and the elders had assembled. 58 But Peter followed him at a distance, right up to the courtyard of the high priest. He entered and sat down with the guards to see the outcome. (Matthew 26:57-58)

There is so much wrong with this picture that it is hard to know where to begin. First of all, the trial was supposed to be held in the temple court, not in the house of the high priest. But the temple was closed at night, so they had to choose another meeting place. Secondly, a night trial was highly irregular and in capital cases actually forbidden. A case seeking the death penalty had to take place during the daytime. Furthermore, although you could acquit an innocent person on the same day as their trial, a verdict of guilty had to wait until the day following their trial. As a result, you could not hold a trial on the evening of a Sabbath day or Festival day. So they are meeting in the wrong place at the wrong time seeking the wrong charges against the wrong person. Jesus’ trial was full of illegal proceedings.

There is a sad note in verse 58 where we see Peter following Jesus at a distance, sneaking into the courtyard and sitting down with the guards. I want you to pay close attention to the words “followed him at a distance.” Peter’s sequence in these chapters is devastating. First he boasts to Jesus on the way to the garden. Then he fails to watch and pray in the garden. Next he follows Jesus at a distance. Then we see him sitting with Jesus’ enemies, and from there it is only a short step away to his three denials of Jesus in the courtyard. We never deny Jesus all at once. There is always a downward progression in our lives. How is your walk with the Lord today? Are you following Jesus closely, or are you following him at a distance?

   B. False witnesses and a predetermined outcome (59-60)

Jesus’ trumped up trial not only involved illegal proceedings. There were also false witnesses and a predetermined outcome. Look at verses 59-60:

The chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin were looking for false evidence against Jesus so that they could put him to death. 60 But they did not find any, though many false witnesses came forward. (Matthew 26:59-60)

Verse 59 says that the chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin were looking for false evidence against Jesus. Why would they be looking for false evidence? Because they wanted a conviction and they didn’t have any actual evidence.

Many false witnesses came forward, but we are told in the other gospels that their testimony did not agree. It’s like the old joke about the four college students who arrived late for their exam and told the teacher it was because they had a flat tire on the way. The teacher said, no problem, she placed them at separate desks around the room and gave them a test with only one question on it. Which tire was flat? You see it’s not easy to get false testimony to agree. It’s much easier when you tell the truth.

Remember, they had to throw this trial together in a hurry. They didn’t have time to put a plan into place and coach the witnesses and put together a strong case against Jesus. And so instead they have this flurry of false witnesses whose testimony does not even agree.

Not only that but this trial has a predetermined outcome. A trial is supposed to examine the actual evidence at hand in order to determine the truth. In this case, they were looking for false evidence against Jesus so they can put him to death. The ending of this trial is a foregone conclusion. Jesus will receive the death penalty. They just have to find a way to get there.

   C. Distorted testimony (61)

Jesus’ trial is full of illegal proceedings, there are false witnesses and a predetermined outcome, and then there is also distorted testimony against Jesus. Look at verse 61:

Finally two came forward 61 and declared, “This fellow said, ‘I am able to destroy the temple of God and rebuild it in three days.’ ” (Matthew 26:61)

Finally “two came forward.” The Jewish law was clear. No one can be put to death without the testimony of at least two witnesses. So they got the bare minimum here.

Their charge was a serious one. If Jesus had really threatened to destroy the temple, then perhaps they finally had a charge that would stick.

Unfortunately, their testimony was based on hearsay and distorted Jesus’ actual words. What Jesus actually said is recorded for us in John 2: “Destroy this temple, and I will raise it again in three days.” … But the temple he had spoken of was his body. (John 2:19-21) Jesus never said that he was going to destroy the temple. He simply said, “You destroy this temple, and I will raise it again in three days.” John tells us that the temple Jesus was speaking of was his body. Ironically, this very trial will result in the fulfillment of Christ’s prophecy. He will die on the cross, and he will rise again on the third day. Do you like it when people misquote you or twist your words or use your words against you? Jesus knows what that is like, too.

Jesus was arrested like a violent criminal under cover of darkness when he had been openly teaching in the temple courts all week long. He was subjected to a trial filled with illegal proceedings, one that involved false witnesses and a predetermined outcome, one that produced distorted testimony of his actual words. There’s no way around it. This was a trumped up trial where Jesus was falsely accused and treated unjustly.

II. A silent defendant (62-63)

And how did Jesus respond to all these charges?

   A. Jesus stands silent before his accusers (62)

Through it all Jesus refused to answer. He stood silent before his accusers. Look at verse 62:

Then the high priest stood up and said to Jesus, “Are you not going to answer? What is this testimony that these men are bringing against you? But Jesus remained silent.” (Matthew 26:62)

Here we have the ultimate face-off. Caiaphas has been sitting up to this time, but now he stands and faces Jesus. Although Caiaphas is high priest of the people, he does not understand that Jesus is the true high priest according to the book of Hebrews. And so we have one high priest facing off against another high priest.

Caiaphas is amazed and probably frustrated at Jesus’ silence, and so he stands up and asks him, “Are you not going to answer? What is this testimony that these men are bringing against you?” You might be wondering yourself, why was Jesus silent before his accusers? Well, there are several reasons.

First of all Jesus was fulfilling Scripture. Isaiah 53:7 says this of Jesus: “He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth; he was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth.” (Isaiah 53:7) The Scriptures foretold that Jesus would be silent before his accusers. Like a lamb led to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth.

And secondly, Jesus chose not to defend himself, because he had his sights set on the cross. The religious leaders thought they were rigging this trial, but Jesus knew that his Father had determined long ago that Jesus would die on the cross. And so although Jesus was silent before his accusers, he continued to pray to the Father, “Lead me. Lead me to the cross.”

Today when a person remains silent in court, it is usually because they do not want to incriminate themselves. They plead the Fifth Amendment saying, “I refuse to answer on the grounds that it may incriminate me.” That was not the case with Jesus. The sinless Son of God stood silent before his accusers, not because their testimony was correct, but because he had come to die. This took incredible strength, determination and resolve.

   B. Caiaphas puts Jesus under oath (63)

Finally Caiaphas, frustrated by Jesus’ silence, charges him to speak under oath. Look at verse 63:

The high priest said to him, “I charge you under oath by the living God: Tell us if you are the Christ, the Son of God.” (Matthew 26:63)

This was the most solemn oath possible. There was no higher oath in court than to swear by the living God. When charged by this oath, Jesus was required by law to answer. By the way, this was another illegal proceeding in the trial, because it was against Jewish law to require a defendant to incriminate himself. This is the height of the showdown between the two high priests. Caiaphas puts Jesus under oath, and now Jesus must answer truthfully the question put to him: “Are you the Christ, the Son of God?”

III. The coming judge and king (64-68)

And from here we move from the trumped up trial and the silent defendant to the coming judge and king.

   A. Jesus confesses his true identity and future glory (64)

Because in answer to Caiaphas’ question, Jesus confesses his true identity and future glory. Look at verse 64:

“Yes, it is as you say,” Jesus replied. “But I say to all of you: In the future you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven.” (Matthew 26:64)

I like what Herman Ridderbos says about this in his commentary on Matthew: “Jesus therefore declared under oath before the highest Jewish court – indeed, before all human history – that what Caiaphas said was true.” (Ridderbos, Matthew, p. 503)

It’s interesting; throughout the gospels Jesus has kept his identity a secret except from those closest to him. Time and again he has given strict warnings to people not to tell who he is. But now the secret is out. Jesus’ hour has come, and so he freely declares his identity. Yes, he is the Christ, the Son of God

But then Jesus goes even further. He quotes from Daniel 7 and Psalm 110 referring to himself as the coming judge and king over all the world. Daniel 7:13-14 speaks of the Son of Man coming with the clouds of heaven, and Psalm 110:1 speaks of Jesus sitting at the right hand of God. Jesus proclaims himself as the Messiah, the Son of God, the Son of Man, the coming judge and king over all the world. And he does this all under the most solemn oath possible while standing before the high priest and the highest Jewish court.

   B. The court accuses Jesus of blasphemy (65-66)

This is too much for Caiaphas. Look at verse 65:

Then the high priest tore his clothes and said, “He has spoken blasphemy! Why do we need any more witnesses? Look, now you have heard the blasphemy. 66 What do you think?” “He is worthy of death,” they answered. (Matthew 26:65-66)

It was unusual for the high priest to tear his clothes. In fact, it was actually forbidden except in the case of blasphemy. Here Caiaphas tears his robes and accuses Jesus of blasphemy.

Now Jesus has not actually committed blasphemy. The words he has spoken are true, and even if they were not, a charge of blasphemy required that the guilty person had spoken the name of God out loud, which Jesus did not do. He simply referred to God as the Mighty One. But what he has said is close enough. Caiaphas repeats the charge of blasphemy twice, and then asks the court’s opinion. “He is worthy of death,” they answered.

It was not legal to pronounce the official verdict until morning, but the stage has been set. The final verdict would be delivered at dawn right before they brought Jesus to Pilate for sentencing.

   C. Jesus is mistreated and abused (67-68)

In the meantime Jesus is mistreated and abused. In verses 67 and 68 we read how they played a cruel game of blind man’s buff with him.

Then they spit in his face and struck him with their fists. Others slapped him and said, “Prophesy to us, Christ. Who hit you?” (Matthew 26:67-68)

This also was a fulfillment of Scripture – Isaiah 50:6 which reads: “I offered my back to those who beat me, my cheeks to those who pulled out my beard; I did not hide my face from mocking and spitting.” (Isaiah 50:6)

Jesus was not only falsely accused. He was physically mistreated and abused. And so from beginning to end we see in Jesus’ trial before Caiaphas the unjust treatment of an innocent man. Jesus knows what it is like to be judged unjustly.

Applications: Let me share with you three applications from today’s message.

   1) When Jesus returns, he will judge the whole world justly (Daniel 7:9-10; John 5:22-23)

Number one: when Jesus returns, he will judge the whole world justly. The prophet Daniel shared his vision of the end in Daniel 7:9-10: “As I looked, thrones were set in place, and the Ancient of Days took his seat. His clothing was as white as snow; the hair of his head was white like wool. His throne was flaming with fire, and its wheels were all ablaze. 10 A river of fire was flowing, coming out from before him. Thousands upon thousands attended him; ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him. The court was seated, and the books were opened.” (Daniel 7:9-10) There will be another court, and another day, and another trial, but this time the judge will judge justly. Every wrong will be made right, and every sin called to account.

Jesus said in John 5:22-23: “Moreover, the Father judges no one, but has entrusted all judgment to the Son, 23 that all may honor the Son just as they honor the Father.” (John 5:22-23) Jesus was subjected to a trumped up trial with false witnesses, distorted testimony and a predetermined outcome. He was mistreated and accused of blasphemy even though he spoke the truth. Jesus was judged unjustly, but when he returns he will judge the whole world justly.

   2) When Jesus judges us, we will be silent before him (Romans 3:19)

Number two: when Jesus judges us, we will be silent before him. Romans 3:19 says: “Now we know that whatever the law says, it says to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be silenced and the whole world held accountable to God.” (Romans 3:19) When Jesus judges us, there will be no more excuses, no self-justifications, no alibis. Our mouths will be silenced before him, because he sees all, he knows all, and he judges justly. Jesus was silent before his accusers because he chose to be silent. When Jesus judges us, we will be silent before him because we will have no other choice.

   3) When you are treated unjustly, don’t retaliate – trust God (1 Peter 2:21-23)

Number three: when you are treated unjustly, don’t retaliate – trust God. This is the lesson that is drawn out for us in 1 Peter 2:21-23:

To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps. 22 “He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth.” 23 When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly. (1 Peter 2:21-23)

When you are treated unjustly, everything in you will scream for revenge. Don’t do it. You are called to follow Christ’s example. When you are treated unjustly, don’t retaliate – trust God.

Jesus was judged unjustly, but he will judge justly when he returns. Every mouth will be silenced before him. Caiaphas will be there. Pilate will be there. Herod will be there. You and I will be there. And if you do not know Christ, you will pay the penalty for your sins.

But for those of you who are in Christ, the judge is your friend who gave his life for you so that you would be saved on judgment day. Ed Welch writes in his book, Shame Interrupted: “God was on trial; the world was judge and jury. And this was the path that Jesus chose as the way to rescue the shamed. The path he chose to rescue you.… The cross is the best and quickest summary of what God says to unworthy people. …He always says, ‘I love you’ first.”

O Lord, lead me to the cross of Jesus who died for me.

© Ray Fowler

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