Trials and Verdicts
- While Peter's following Jesus to the high priest's residence, he manages to fulfill Jesus's prophecy to the T. He denies knowing Jesus three times… and then a cock crows. Ta-da!
- Meanwhile, the agents who arrested Jesus are mocking and bullying him. They blindfold him, punch him, and demand that he use his prophetic powers to divulge who smacked him.
- First thing the next day some pretty powerful highbrows convene and request Jesus's presence. They ask Jesus to tell them point blank whether he's the Messiah.
- Jesus can tell them, but they won't believe him. So why should he bother?
- If Jesus asks them what they think, they won't answer. He knows from experience. So what's the point?
- Jesus does say that the Son of Man is going to be God's right-hand man.
- Is he claiming that he's the Son of God? "Your words, not mine" is basically Jesus's response.
- The highbrows don't need any more evidence. This is as good as a confession in their view.
- They send Jesus over to Pontius Pilate, the Roman prefect who has the power in this situation. Pilate can't really tell what Jesus has done wrong.
- He sends him off to Herod, who happens to be in Jerusalem for the festival, and Herod is really psyched to finally see a miracle.
- Jesus won't humor him, so Herod dresses him up as a king in a fancy robe and sends him back to Pilate. It's all about humiliation, apparently.
- Pilate appreciates Herod's joke and decides he's not a bad guy. Both Pilate and Herod agree that Jesus is—wait for it—not guilty.
- And that's the end of the gospel. Oh wait, not at all.
- The crowds keep protesting no matter how much Pilate fights back. And eventually, the guy gives in and "delivered Jesus to their will" (23:25 KJV).
- So even though Pilate doled out the final decision, it's pretty clear that the blame falls squarely on the shoulders of the Jewish leaders and people.