Mark 14:53-60 - Jesus on Trial

Mark 14:53-60
53 They led Jesus away to the high priest; and all the chief priests and the elders and the scribes *gathered together. 54 Peter had followed Him at a distance, right into the courtyard of the high priest; and he was sitting with the officers and warming himself at the fire. 55 Now the chief priests and the whole Council kept trying to obtain testimony against Jesus to put Him to death, and they were not finding any. 56 For many were giving false testimony against Him, but their testimony was not consistent. 57 Some stood up and began to give false testimony against Him, saying, 58 “We heard Him say, ‘I will destroy this temple made with hands, and in three days I will build another made without hands.’” 59 Not even in this respect was their testimony consistent. 60 The high priest stood up and came forward and questioned Jesus, saying, “Do You not answer? What is it that these men are testifying against You?”

Message: Jesus on Trial

Time: Mark's personal connection with Peter gave him the source material for this book. This book was composed probably between AD 57 and AD 59. It's a book that is on the move, leading to the cross. 39 times is the word 'immediately' used. Mark reveals Jesus as God's servant, reaching into the lives of people and effecting physical and circumstantial change.

What the Lord is Saying:

Preface - The high priests, scribes and elders have seized Jesus after he had finished praying in the Garden of Gethsemane, under the cloud of darkness. After he is taken away everyone around him flee's; they do not go with him. Even another man who was thought to be part of Jesus was seized but he got away. Jesus willingly went. It is now still late Thursday night.

They led Jesus away to the high priest; and all the chief priests and the elders and the scribes *gathered together.  The high priest was Caiaphas, though first probably taken before Annas, in his palace. Peter had followed Him at a distance, right into the courtyard of the high priest; and he was sitting with the officers and warming himself at the fire. Though at first, Peter and all the others had fled from Jesus and his seizure, but later they would follow after him, he and John, to see what would happen to him. It was a chilly night and Peter was warming himself by the fire that was made in the center of the court.

Now the chief priests and the whole Council kept trying to obtain testimony against Jesus to put Him to death, and they were not finding any. The chief priests and Council had an objective already and that was to put him to death. They had already decided this (Mark 12:12) as they wanted to simply shut him up for good. But they still were looking for a reason so they didn't appear to be unfair. For many were giving false testimony against Him, but their testimony was not consistent. They are eager to find witnesses against Jesus. Yet Mark records the words that even in so doing, it was false testimony for there was no witness that was viable or true. And therefore it was all not consistent. 

Some stood up and began to give false testimony against Him, saying,“We heard Him say, ‘I will destroy this temple made with hands, and in three days I will build another made without hands.’” Not even in this respect was their testimony consistent. Mark seems to be showing the inconsistency in the testimonies and that the normal requirement of two or three witnesses needed to land a conviction had not complied. It is interesting that his accusers go back to 3 years ago to accuse Jesus of something he said then. It is recorded in John 2:18-21 - The Jews then said to Him, “What sign do You show us as your authority for doing these things?” Jesus answered them, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.” The Jews then said, “It took forty-six years to build this temple, and will You raise it up in three days?” But He was speaking of the temple of His body. So even in the witnesses trying to speak of an event to condemn him as they were misunderstanding its application for he wasn't even speaking of the temple, but his own body. Jesus never said that he would build another temple without hands.

The high priest stood up and came forward and questioned Jesus, saying, “Do You not answer? What is it that these men are testifying against You?” There was no reason for Jesus to respond for all that was said was false nor is it necessary for him to respond when he knows his words would not be received. I discovered this as well when I speak to people that are confronting the claims of Jesus. It is not like they are trying to figure out an answer, but they already have the answer and are just looking for ways to beat it down and show that it is illogical.

Summary - Jesus begins to be on trial but the way he is accused is not done very well. The testimonies of people conflict. His accusers bring up an event from 3 years ago and then misquote Jesus. Jesus remains silent. There is nothing to respond to as nothing is said in any truth, but also there is no reason because the leaders have already decided his fate and are simply going through this process as a formality.

Promise: Jesus suffered injustice from evil men and this helps us to better understand His mercy.

Prayer: O Lord how majestic is your name. You endured unjust accusations and yet you had a mission to forgive sin through your death in spite of the backwards ways of your accusers and unjust claims they were making. Thank You for saving my soul. Thank You lord for making me whole. Than you Lord for thy great salvation so wonderful and free.