Matthew 26:57-68 - Homilies By J.a. Macdonald

The demoralized council.

The tribunal before which Jesus was arraigned was composed of "all the chief priests," with the high priest at their head, and all the "elders and scribes." It was the Sanhedrin, by the Jews claimed to have originated in the time of Moses, and by learned critics acknowledged to have been at least as ancient as the time of Jonathan Maccabaeus. Once a venerable judicial assembly, it had now degenerated into a cabal.

I. ITS COUNCILORS ARE MURDERERS .

1 . They had beforehand plotted the death of Jesus.

2 . They assembled to carry their plot into effect.

II. THE WITNESSES ARE LIARS .

1 . They cannot give a consistent testimony.

2 . They fail to prove an offence against the Law.

(a) They were in a strait when they had to go back to what had passed three years before.

(b) This allegation was, in effect, a falsity; for it suppressed some words of Christ, with the action which explained them, and added words he had not spoken. False testimony lays hold on some basis of truth. Half-truths are often the most vicious lies.

(c) In perverting the meaning of the words of Jesus, his enemies unconsciously bring about their fulfilment.

3 . The judges themselves became lying witnesses.

(a) had he refused to answer when adjured, they would have accused him of contempt for the Name of God. Note: Persecutors take advantage of the consciences of good men.

(b) He responded for an example to others of reverence for such a solemn form.

(c) He answered because now it was no longer a question of admitting or denying a false accusation, but of admitting or denying a great truth—to confess whether he were the Christ or not ( Matthew 26:64 ). The "nevertheless" should rather be "moreover: Not only do I confess myself the Christ, but you yourselves will have to confess it when he who now appears before you as in weakness will be revealed in power" (see Revelation 1:7 ).

III. THE JUDGMENT IS INIQUITOUS .

1 . It ignored the reasons of the claims of Jesus.

2 . It will be reviewed at another tribunal.