The Illegal Trial Of Jesus
THE ILLEGAL TRIAL OF JESUS A careful analysis of the New Testament narratives respecting the so-called "trials" of Jesus, coupled with a thorough reference to an examination of the existing Jewish Laws relating to criminal proceedings; should convince anyone, with an open mind; that the entire proceedings, from the moment of his arrest to the actual crucifixion, were wholly void and unlawful. Consideration, in a judicial manner, will now be given to the numerous errors which were spitefully and illegally committed by the enemies of Christ. The arrest was without authority of law, and therefore, illegal.
Annas, before whom Jesus was first taken for examination, was a mere politician without jurisdiction whatsoever. The Great Sanhedrin was unlawfully assembled for these reasons: The Hebrew laws prohibited such a meeting in the night time or during the Feast of Passover.
He was first accused of blasphemy; but when before Pilate, the charge was changed to sedition, without notice to the Prisoner, or anyone.
Jesus was denied an opportunity to obtain His witnesses who would have testified in His behalf or to obtain counsel. No person could be found guilty upon his own confession of guilt, alone.
There must have been at least two witnesses to testify in support of the charge against the accused: and their testimony must agree as to all the material facts involved. The trial could not lawfully have been concluded in a single day. The Roman conquerors had long before taken from the Sanhedrin its authority to sentence anyone to suffer the death penalty. A unanimous verdict of guilty rendered by the Jewish court had the effect of an acquittal. The members of the Sanhedrin were definitely disqualified to try Jesus, because of enmity toward the accused. The merits of Jesus' defense were completely ignored by the Sanhedrin.
Pilate, as the Roman Governor, having stated four times that Jesus was not guilty of any wrong, should have released Him; instead of delivering Him over to the mob for crucifixion The condemnation of the Christ, resulting in His death on the cross, was permitted to be done without a lawful judgment of conviction. The members of the Great Sanhedrin, though learned in the law, deliberately and spitefully ignored every existing Hebrew law which had been enacted for the protection of the innocent.