Jesus Judges the Judge

Scripture: John 18:19-24; Matthew 26:57-67

“John 18:19   The high priest then questioned Jesus about His disciples, and about His teaching. John 18:20 Jesus answered him, “I have spoken openly to the world; I always taught in synagogues and in the temple, where all the Jews come together; and I spoke nothing in secret. John 18:21 “Why do you question Me? Question those who have heard what I spoke to them; they know what I said.” John 18:22 When He had said this, one of the officers standing nearby struck Jesus, saying, “Is that the way You answer the high priest?” John 18:23 Jesus answered him, “If I have spoken wrongly, testify of the wrong; but if rightly, why do you strike Me?” John 18:24 So Annas sent Him bound to Caiaphas the high priest.” (John 18:19–24 NAS95)

“Matthew 26:57   Those who had seized Jesus led Him away to Caiaphas, the high priest, where the scribes and the elders were gathered together. Matthew 26:58 But Peter was following Him at a distance as far as the courtyard of the high priest, and entered in, and sat down with the officers to see the outcome.

Matthew 26:59 Now the chief priests and the whole Council kept trying to obtain false testimony against Jesus, so that they might put Him to death. Matthew 26:60 They did not find any, even though many false witnesses came forward. But later on two came forward, Matthew 26:61 and said, “This man stated, ‘I am able to destroy the temple of God and to rebuild it in three days.’” Matthew 26:62 The high priest stood up and said to Him, “Do You not answer? What is it that these men are testifying against You?” Matthew 26:63 But Jesus kept silent. And the high priest said to Him, “I adjure You by the living God, that You tell us whether You are the Christ, the Son of God.” Matthew 26:64 Jesus *said to him, “You have said it yourself; nevertheless I tell you, hereafter you will see THE SON OF MAN SITTING AT THE RIGHT HAND OF POWER, and COMING ON THE CLOUDS OF HEAVEN.”

Matthew 26:65 Then the high priest tore his robes and said, “He has blasphemed! What further need do we have of witnesses? Behold, you have now heard the blasphemy; Matthew 26:66 what do you think?” They answered, “He deserves death!”

Matthew 26:67 Then they spat in His face and beat Him with their fists; and others slapped Him,” (Matthew 26:57–67 NAS95)