Tuesday, April 15, 2014

LENTEN BIBLE STUDY #30


JESUS BEFORE THE SANHEDRIN

Tuesday of Holy Week

Read Matthew 26:57-75.

Why do you think Peter followed Jesus?  Do you think Peter carried out the intentions he had when he entered the courtyard?

Imagine the whole conversation taking place in the courtyard.  What would you have said if you had been there?

Notes on the text:

Caiaphus would have been elected high priest by lot and served as such for a year.  His father-in-law Annas, who had previously served as high priest, figures prominently in John and Luke’s records of Jesus’ trial before the Sanhedrin.

According to Jewish law, Jesus’ trial, as reported by Matthew, was illegal.  It was held on a feast day and at night, and the verdict was pronounced in the same session in which testimony was given.  However, some debate whether the laws, still an oral tradition during the 1st century, were actually observed in Jesus’ day.

Jesus’ response, “you have said so,” in verse 64 is the same response given to Judas in 26:25.  Again, this phrase indicates the one asking already knows the answer is yes.  Jesus also paraphrases Psalm 110:1 and Daniel 7:13 in this verse.

Blasphemers were to be stoned to death according to Leviticus 24:10-16. 

Verse 73: Peter was easily identified as a Galilean by his accent.

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