The Trial of Christ From a Lawyers Standpoint
by Steven W. Allen
Setting the Stage:
- who are the players?
- what are the rules?
2 Nephi 10:5 —- priestcrafts
2 Nephi 26:29
John 12:42-43
Pontius Pilate (born in Sevilla)
Procurator of Judea – Given as Wedding Gift
Includes Cities of:
Bethany
Bethlehem
Hebron
Jerico
Jerusalem, etc.
Herod the Great (friend of Augustus Caesar)
King of Judea
- murders children at birth of Christ.
Herod Antipas (son)
Tetrach of Galilee (governed a portion of the kingdom)
- Called “The fox”
- Killed John the Baptist
HEbrew or Jewish State
- Great Sanhedrin
- 71 Members
- Meets in Hall of Hewn Stone
- 1 high priest (president)
- 1 Father of the court of law (VP)
- 23 chief priests
- 23 scribes
- 23 elders
- Quorum of 23 required to conduct Tribunal or Court
- Only court with jurisdiction over capital offenses
- Lesser Sanhedrin
- 23 Members
- Local Courts
- 3 Judges
- Members or Judges
- Required Characteristics
- Authority given by laying on of hands
- Qualifications similar to those for bishops (11 tim 3)
- Speak at least 3 languages
- Learned in all areas
- outside support.
House of Hanan
- Most powerful family in Jerusalem
- Owned “the 4 shows under the twin cedars of oliver” which sold sacrificial animals at the temple (doves, etc)
- Annas
- HIgh priest 7-15AD
- Corrupt and Deposed
– Followed in office by 5 sons
- Caiaphas
– Son in Law
- High Priest at time of Christ’s trial
Hebrew Law – Rules of Procedure
1. Proceedings must be held during day
2. begin after the morning sacrifice at the temple
3. must be held in the ‘chamber of hewn stones’
4. capital offenses could be heard only by the Great Sandhedrein
5. could no longer carry out capital punishment (john 18:31)
6. at last 23 members of the great San. required to form a quorum
7. speeches by the judges were recorded both in favor of and against the accused.
8. voting on the charges began with the youngest member.
9. Prejudiced judges may not participate in the trial
10. Sandedrin members may not originate charges or be witnesses.
11. No proceedings can be held on sabbaths, feast days or on the eves of them.
12. If a death sentence is pronounced, a 2nd trial must be held the following day.
13. if 2 trials, judges are to fast and pray between them.
14. on the 2nd day of trial, a judge may change his vote from guilty to not guilty only.
15. rules of the witnesses and evidence must be followed.
16. a unanimous verdict has the effect of acquittal.
17. no rending of clothes was allowed.
18. the merits of a defense must be heard.
The qualifications of a competent witness, under Hebrew Law were almost identical those of a qualified judge, all persons who were not incompetent were competent.
Incompetency: the following persons were incompetent to be witnesses: gentiles, minors, slaves, idots, and lunatics, deaf mutes, blind men, gamblers, usurer, illeterate or immjodest persons, persons who have been convicted.. and women.
Jewis Methods of Execution:
- beheading, 2 offenses
- strangulation, 6 offenses including kidnapping, false prophect
- burning, 10 forms of incest
- stoning, 18 different offenses. most common form. blasphemy, cursing a parent, magic, violating the sabbath day
Luke 4:28-30 — lead him to the brow of the hill.. to cast him down..
2. Number required to convict: Under hebrew law, at least 2 witnesses were required to convict an accused person.
3. agreement of witnesses,
5. prior examination of witnesses
6. separation of witnesses.. required to give testimony separately and always in the presence of the accused.
7. mode of examination of witnesses
8. false witnesses.. should suffer same wrath as the accused
9. accused as witness.. never was compelled to testify against self.
10
11. antecedent warning.. no person charged with crime….
Matt 21:47-49 JST
St. John 11:8
St. John 11:42-53
