The Twenty-Four Hours Before The Crucifixion and Cast of Characters
DIAGRAM B FROM THE LAST SUPPER, ARREST, TRIAL & CRUCIFIXION,
THROUGH 72 HOURS IN THE TOMB TO THE RESURRECTION THE TWENTY-FOUR HOURS BEFORE THE CRUCIFIXION:
Introduction and the Cast of Characters
The following is an attempt to simplify the chain of events from the Last Supper to Christ's death on the cross. To understand why Christ was treated as He was, it is imperative to have some background concerning Pontius Pilate, Annas, Caiaphas and Herod Antipas. A diagram showing that Christ was crucified on Wednesday and arose on Saturday is included. (Diagram A, Pg. 10.) Lenten season, with the abstinence from eating meats, etc. are classified as "doctrines of demons" by the Word of God in 1 Timothy 4:1-4. We have included a list of illegal acts contrary to the laws of justice at that time. (See Pg. 27). To begin, let us examine the background of some who played a part in the arrest, trial and treatment of Christ.
1. Annas, the High Priest:
About 7 A. D., he was appointed by the procurator (governor) as high priest at Jerusalem. The son of Seth, an Alexandrian Sadducee, he opposed almost everything that Christ had taught. The family held sway for about 51 years, as all 5 of his sons followed him as high priest. Annas had become old, and was probably in his 80s when Christ was brought before him. He was rather feeble, but still possessed great wealth and political power in Jerusalem. He was sort of a “High Priest Emeritus.” He had superb intelligence and seemed unacquainted with fear or remorse of conscience. His unholy philosophy was RULE or RUIN! He had been quite generous in providing numerous luxuries for his son-in-law, Caiaphas. He was not timid about reminding him of his unpaid debt of gratitude. Caiaphas showed his gratitude whenever he could, without regard of ethics, law, morals, or any consequences whatsoever. Annas was not a religious man. Being a Saduccee, he held to:
A. No life after death.
B. No spirit world.
C. No future rewards or punishment.
D. No Resurrection—the grave ended it all!
(Acts 23:8; Acts 4:1-2).
One must remember that Annas also hated Christ for upsetting his lucrative scheme of fleecing money from the Jews through his hirelings (bankers or money changers) who worked in the temple. Christ had chased them out three times. The first time was at the beginning of His ministry, which is recorded in John 2:13-15. The second time we have the record given in Mark 11:11, with Matthew 21:12; which gives the same account explaining the cleansing of the Temple. Christ goes into the Temple just after entering Jerusalem, riding on the foal of an ass, and casts them out. The third time, which is the next day, He does the same thing. This is proven by the facts that, after Christ casts them out the second time in Mark 11:11, He leaves Jerusalem and goes to Bethany (Mark 11:11). The next day He leaves Bethany and goes back into Jerusalem and, again, back into the Temple and runs them out again. (Mark 11:12-17), this being the third time.
2. Caiaphas, the High Priest:
The son-in-law to Annas. (John 18:13). Caiaphas was co-reigning as high priest, with Caiaphas acting and ruling in the position while Annas was acting more as an emeritus high priest. Caiaphas filled the high priest's position from about 18 to 36 A.D., when he was deposed by Vitellilus. He and Annas were holding office at the time of John the Baptist's preaching. (Luke 3:2).
He possessed the same feelings as his father-in-law; i.e., void of ethics, honor, fairness and common decency. He took a leading part in the trial and condemnation of Christ. It was in his court that the chief priests, Sadducees and Pharisees, who together constituted the Sanhedrin, assembled "that they might take Jesus by subtlety, and kill him." (Matthew 26:3-4). His conduct at the preliminary trial of Jesus (Matthew 26:57-68), its time and its procedure, were entirely illegal from the standpoint of the existing Jewish law.
He is also mentioned as being among those who presided over the trial of Peter and John (Acts 4:1; Acts 4:6). He was a friend of Pontius Pilate and hated Christ. Caiaphas and Annas, as high priests of the great Sanhedrin, were both sworn by oath to fairness and upholding of the law, ensuring the right of a fair trial to the accused.
3. Pontius Pilate, the Governor of Judea:
The territory of Judea included Judea, Samaria and old Idumea. It is said he had married the step-granddaughter of the Roman emperor, Tiberius Caesar. Because of the marriage, he was appointed governor. Most governors disliked being stationed in a distant, difficult outpost like Judea. The governors were usually in charge of taxes and financial matters; but, in governing Palestine and the Jews, he had supreme judicial authority, which he used regarding Christ. The historian, Josephus, tells us that he hung golden shields inscribed with the names and images of Roman deities in the temple, itself. He was a vicious murderer as the perpetrator of the horrible incident mentioned in Luke 13:1, "…the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices." No doubt the Roman soldiers slew these men while they were offering their sacrifices in the Holy Place. Pilate's headquarters were usually at Caesarea; but on the Jewish feast days he would come to Jerusalem to keep order. This was the reason he was in Jerusalem when Christ was brought to him.
Previously, Pilate had used power, murder, and scare tactics to keep the Jews under control; but in Christ's case he seems torn between offending the Jews and condemning an innocent person. Prior to Christ, he seemed void of ethics, justice or conscience. After hearing for three years of the miracles and the wonderful acts that Christ did, this must have affected his conscience to some degree. Since Pilate's position depended on the favor of Tiberius Caesar, the emperor, he quickly thought of politics, rather than justice, when the Jews cried, "If thou let this man go, thou art not Caesar's friend." (John 19:12 ). The kind of man he was; is revealed when he thought more of politics than justice, by condemning an innocent man to crucifixion.
Historians differ as to how Pilate's life ended; but most agree he took it himself. The historian, Eusebius, says that soon afterwards, "wearied with misfortunes," he took his own life.
4. Herod Antipas, Ruler of Galilee and Peraea:
His father was Herod, the Great, who tried to kill Christ by murdering all the children under two years of age. Upon death, his will divided the kingdom, giving this section to Antipas. He had married his brother's (Philip's) wife; and killed John the Baptist, who had rebuked him for this act. (Mark 6:14-27). In Luke 13:31-32, Christ called him, "that fox." That name, no doubt, had reference to the Herodian cunning, the subtle diplomacy, and astute management of a difficult situation, that enabled him to retain his puppet position and petty royal power until A.D. 39. He had heard of Christ's miracles and power. After killing John the Baptist, he, no doubt, was haunted by guilty fears and wanted to get rid of Christ. When Pilate sent Christ to him, he displayed his tyrannical character and hate by mocking Christ. Probably fear made him withdraw from passing the sentence of execution on Christ; thus returning him to Pilate for that responsibility.