Get Ready
Have you ever been involved in a trial or other court proceeding? What was your role – were you a plaintiff, or a defendant, or a member of a jury, or observer? What was the issue the court was dealing with? What stood out for you about the situation? How was the issue resolved?
The Word
14 53 They took Jesus to the high priest; and all the chief priests, the elders, and the scribes were assembled. 54 Peter had followed him at a distance, right into the courtyard of the high priest; and he was sitting with the guards, warming himself at the fire. 55 Now the chief priests and the whole council were looking for testimony against Jesus to put him to death; but they found none. 56 For many gave false testimony against him, and their testimony did not agree. 57 Some stood up and gave false testimony against him, saying, 58 “We heard him say, ‘I will destroy this temple that is made with hands, and in three days I will build another, not made with hands.’” 59 But even on this point their testimony did not agree. 60 Then the high priest stood up before them and asked Jesus, “Have you no answer? What is it that they testify against you?” 61 But he was silent and did not answer. Again the high priest asked him, “Are you the Messiah, the Son of the Blessed One?” 62 Jesus said, “I am; and
‘you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of the Power,’ and ‘coming with the clouds of heaven.’”
63 Then the high priest tore his clothes and said, “Why do we still need witnesses?
64 You have heard his blasphemy! What is your decision?” All of them condemned him as deserving death. 65 Some began to spit on him, to blindfold him, and to strike him, saying to him, “Prophesy!” The guards also took him over and beat him.
Peter denies Jesus
66 While Peter was below in the courtyard, one of the servant-girls of the high priest came by. 67 When she saw Peter warming himself, she stared at him and said, “You also were with Jesus, the man from Nazareth.” 68 But he denied it, saying, “I do not know or understand what you are talking about.” And he went out into the forecourt. Then the cock crowed. 69 And the servant-girl, on seeing him, began again to say to the bystanders, “This man is one of them.” 70 But again he denied it. Then after a little while the bystanders again said to Peter, “Certainly you are one of them; for you are a Galilean.” 71 But he began to curse, and he swore an oath, “I do not know this man you are talking about.” 72 At that moment the cock crowed for the second time. Then Peter remembered that Jesus had said to him, “Before the cock crows twice, you will deny me three times.” And he broke down and wept.
Jesus before Pilate
15As soon as it was morning, the chief priests held a consultation with the elders and scribes and the whole council. They bound Jesus, led him away, and handed him over to Pilate. 2 Pilate asked him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” He answered him, “You say so.” 3 Then the chief priests accused him of many things. 4 Pilate asked him again, “Have you no answer? See how many charges they bring against you.” 5 But Jesus made no further reply, so that Pilate was amazed.
Pilate hands Jesus over to be crucified
6 Now at the festival he used to release a prisoner for them, anyone for whom they asked. 7 Now a man called Barabbas was in prison with the rebels who had committed murder during the insurrection. 8 So the crowd came and began to ask Pilate to do for them according to his custom. 9 Then he answered them, “Do you want me to release for you the King of the Jews?” 10 For he realized that it was out of jealousy that the chief priests had handed him over. 11 But the chief priests stirred up the crowd to have him release Barabbas for them instead. 12 Pilate spoke to them again, “Then what do you wish me to do with the man you call the King of the Jews?” 13 They shouted back, “Crucify him!” 14 Pilate asked them, “Why, what evil has he done?” But they shouted all the more, “Crucify him!” 15 So Pilate, wishing to satisfy the crowd, released Barabbas for them; and after flogging Jesus, he handed him over to be crucified. NRSV
Get into the Word
1. What is happening as this section opens? Who is with Jesus? Where do they take him? Who is present? Who else has followed Jesus? What does this person do?
2. What is the purpose of this gathering? What do the people want to accomplish? How does the meeting proceed? What finally happens?
3. What is the testimony against Jesus? How does the leader of the session react? What does he ask Jesus? How does Jesus answer? How does the leader react to this? How does the group respond? What happens to Jesus?
4. What is Peter doing while Jesus is inside? Who confronts him? What does this person say about Peter? How does Peter answer? Who else confronts Peter? How does he respond to them? What happens next? How does Peter react to this event?
5. What happens next to Jesus? Where do they take him? How does this person respond to Jesus? What does he ask? How does Jesus answer these questions?
6. What does Pilate propose to the Jews regarding Jesus? Why does he suggest this? Who else is involved? How does the crowd respond to Pilate’s proposal? Who is behind this reaction? What do they want Pilate to do? What does Pilate finally do? Why? How do the other Gospel writers describe this “trial” [see Notes]?
Get Personal
Where are you in this situation? Are you one of the disciples? Peter? In the courtyard? One of the elders or scribes? Pilate? How does God help you understand the meaning of Jesus’ trial and crucifixion? How does this affect your walk with Christ?
Notes . . .
(Cross-references to Matthew and Luke are given in brackets)
14:53-65. Jesus before the Council — Matthew names the high priest: Caiaphas, who tells Jesus, I put you under oath before the living God, tell us if you are the Messiah, the Son of God. Jesus’s response is You have said so, not “I am.” Matthew does not mention any guards, [Matt 26:57-68]. Luke’s report of the “trial” is briefer, but with the same result. [Luke 22:66-71].
14:66-72. Peter denies Jesus — Matthew reports only one cock crow, and says two different servant girls challenged Peter, [Matt 26: 69-75]. Luke puts this incident before his report on Jesus’ trial. He mentions one servant girl and two men challengers, but only one cock crow, [Luke 22:54-62].
15:1-5. Jesus before Pilate — Matthew
inserts a report about Judas’ attempt to return the blood money, his suicide and the purchase of the “Potter’s” field, [Matt 27:3-10]
Matthew’s report of Jesus’ “trial” before Pilate is very similar to Mark’s, [Matt 27:11-14]. Luke includes Pilate’s first statement that Jesus is innocent, and then says Pilate sends him to Herod, who questions Jesus but then sends him back to Pilate. [Luke 23:1-12].
15:6-15. Pilate hands Jesus over to be crucified — Matthew includes Pilate’s wife’s admonition to “have nothing to do with that innocent man,” and Pilate’s claim of innocence of Jesus’s blood along with the Jewish peoples’ answer: His blood be on us and on our children, [Matt 27 15-26]. Luke says that Pilate again says Jesus is innocent, but he finally gives in to the Jews’ shouts and hands Jesus over, [Luke 23:13-25].
Memory Verse
You will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of the Power, and coming with the clouds of heaven, [Mark 14:62]
Next Lesson
Jesus’s crucifixion, death and burial — Mark 15
