The trial of Christ II - JSS2 Christian Religious Studies (CRS) Past Questions and Answers - page 1

Pontius Pilate was the Roman governor of Judea during the time of Jesus. His official title was "Prefect of Judea."

Pilate tried Jesus and found him innocent of all the charges made against him. He saw that the council hated Jesus and wanted him to die. 

1. Trial Before Caiaphas (High Priest)

Arrest and Initial Hearing:

• After Jesus was arrested in the Garden of Gethsemane, He was first taken to Annas, the father-in-law of Caiaphas, who was the high priest that year (John 18:12-13).

• Annas questioned Jesus briefly before sending Him to Caiaphas (John 18:19-24).

• Trial at Caiaphas’ House:

• Jesus was taken to the house of Caiaphas where the Sanhedrin, the Jewish council, had gathered (Matthew 26:57).

• The religious leaders sought false testimony against Jesus to sentence Him to death. They accused Him of blasphemy for claiming to be the Son of God (Matthew 26:59-66).

• Jesus remained mostly silent, but when asked if He was the Messiah, the Son of God, He affirmed it, which led the council to declare Him guilty of blasphemy (Matthew 26:63-65).

2. Trial Before Pilate (Roman Governor)

First Appearance Before Pilate:

• Early in the morning, Jesus was taken to the Roman governor, Pontius Pilate. The Jewish leaders needed Roman approval to carry out the death sentence (John 18:28-29).

• Pilate questioned Jesus about the charges, particularly if He claimed to be the King of the Jews. Jesus acknowledged His kingship but clarified that His kingdom was not of this world (John 18:33-37).

• Pilate found no basis for a charge against Jesus and sought to release Him, but the crowd demanded Jesus’ crucifixion (John 18:38-40).

3. Trial Before Herod (Tetrarch of Galilee)

Sending Jesus to Herod:

• When Pilate learned that Jesus was a Galilean, he sent Him to Herod Antipas, who was in Jerusalem at the time, since Herod had jurisdiction over Galilee (Luke 23:6-7).

• Herod was curious about Jesus and hoped to see Him perform a miracle. He questioned Jesus but received no answers (Luke 23:8-9).

• Herod and his soldiers mocked Jesus, dressed Him in an elegant robe, and sent Him back to Pilate without making any formal decision (Luke 23:10-11).

4. Final Trial Before Pilate

Pilate’s Reluctance:

• Pilate again tried to release Jesus, suggesting to punish Him and then let Him go, but the crowd, incited by the chief priests, demanded crucifixion (Luke 23:13-21).

• Pilate’s wife sent him a message urging him not to have anything to do with Jesus, calling Him a righteous man because she had suffered in a dream because of Him (Matthew 27:19).

1. Before Caiaphas and the Sanhedrin (Jewish Council)

Blasphemy: The main charge against Jesus was blasphemy. The Jewish leaders accused Him of claiming to be the Son of God, which they considered a severe offense against their religious laws.

2. Before Pilate (Roman Governor)

King of the Jews: The Jewish leaders brought Jesus to Pilate with the accusation that Jesus claimed to be the King of the Jews. This charge was framed to suggest that Jesus was a political threat to Roman authority.

3. Before Herod (Tetrarch of Galilee)

No Formal Charges: When Pilate sent Jesus to Herod, the Jewish leaders didn't present new formal charges. Herod was mainly curious about Jesus and wanted to see Him perform a miracle.

4. Final Trial Before Pilate

Pressure from the Crowd: The Jewish leaders and the crowd continued to press the charge of Jesus being a political threat by claiming He called Himself the King of the Jews.

There was a custom of releasing a prisoner at the feast of the Passover. Pilate asked the people whether the people whether he should release Jesus or a prisoner called Barabbas. This Barabbas was a troublemaker and Pilate thought the people would ask for the release of Jesus. But the chief priest persuaded the people to have Barabbas released. When Pilate asked what evil Jesus had done, they replied that he should be crucified. Again Pilate asked what evil Jesus had done, but they shouted the more: “Crucify him.”