(Compare Matthew 26:57–67; Luke 22:54–56, 63–65)
DISCOVERY OF THE FACTS
[NOTE.—Though in Matthew and Mark this trial is given before the denial by Peter, by a comparison with John’s Gospel. we find that the denial occurred before this, during the preliminary trial before Annas. Apparently Jesus was led from the house of Annas across the court, where Peter was standing, to the house of Caiaphas and, as He passed by, looked at Peter and this together with the cock-crowing brought everything to Peter’s mind and led him to burst into tears. Compare Luke 22:60–62.]
1. The Son of God Slandered and Silent, vv. 55–63
What was the one great desire of Jesus’ judges? For what did the authorities seek in order to carry out their purpose against Jesus? Did they meet with any success? Why not? What is one of the very best proofs that the life of Jesus was absolutely spotless? How can we make sure that our bitterest enemies shall find nothing against us? Why had not these chief priests their witnesses ready beforehand? (vv. 1, 2.) Why did they not hold Him until they could make up a case? What sort of men in their outward lives were those who sought so eagerly to compass the death of Jesus? (Matt. 23:27.) What sort of men were they religiously? (15-Matt.23.23" class="scriptRef">Matt. 23:15–23.) What class of men most bitterly hate real heart piety? Is the statement so often made that a “Christlike life will win every one” true? (John 15:19, 20.) Of what Bible statements is this eager desire of the leading religious men of the day to convict and kill the Son of God (and suborning perjury to compass their ends) an illustration? (Jer. 17:9; Ro. 8:7.) What kind of witness against Jesus did they find? Were there only one or two who were ready to lie about Jesus? Can you find any persons nowadays who are willing to lie about good people? Ought we to be ready to believe what we hear against people though a great many say so? If many lied about Jesus what may we expect if we live like Him? What great difficulty was there with the lies these men told about Jesus? What may we be pretty sure will be the case with the lies people tell about us if we live like Him? Do the infidels of the present day who lie about Christ agree in their testimonies? Did these false testimonies against Himself to which Jesus was obliged to listen wound His heart? (Ps. 35:11, 12, 15.) If there had been any sense of justice in the judges, what would they have done when they could find no witnesses against Jesus and even the false witnesses contradicted one another? Why did they not let Him go? How do many who sit in judgment on Christianity today show that they are determined to arrive at an adverse judgment? Who are they like? What was it led these false witnesses to lie about Jesus? What did the last false witnesses swear to? (Matt. 26:60, 61.) Had Jesus said that? What had He said? (John 2:19.) Which is the most dangerous sort of a lie, one made out of whole cloth or one that perverts words actually spoken? How many gave this false testimony? (Matt. 26:60.) What was the trouble with their testimony? How did it differ? (Compare Matt. 26:61.) What reply had Jesus made to all these false charges? Why had he not answered? (1 Peter 2:23.) Is this an example to be followed by us when we are lied about? (1 Peter 2:21.) Does an innocent man need to deny and disprove slander? (Ps. 37:5, 6.) What was the effect of the silence of Jesus upon the high priest? Did Jesus reply to the first question of the high priest?
2. The Son of God Revealed and Rejected, 63–65
What did the high priest finally ask Him? (Compare Matt. 26:63.) For what purpose was this question intended? In what did the question really result? What was Jesus’ reply? If Jesus was not “the Christ, the Son of God,” what was He? What does the one who denies that Jesus is “the Christ, the Son of God,” make Him? Was Caiaphas glad to hear Jesus say He was the Son of God? Why? What words did Jesus add that made his triumphing short? What do those words imply? When that day comes, who will be the accused and who the judge? What will be the experience of Caiaphas and the Sanhedrin when they see Him, whom they condemned as a blasphemer and sent to the cross, upon the judgment throne? How did Caiaphas feel when he heard these words? What will be the feeling of all who reject Jesus in that day? Did the Sanhedrin investigate the truth of Jesus’ claim? Why not? What did they do? By condemning Jesus to death upon the bare claim that He was the Son of God what did they practically assert? Upon what charge did they condemn Him? Was He a blasphemer? What was He then? How do we know He was not a blasphemer, but the Son of God? (John 14:20.) What made them think that they had proof enough and needed no more witnesses? How was Jesus treated after this verdict? Was this the only time Jesus was so treated? (Luke 23:11; Mark 15:16–20.) For whose sake did He suffer all this? (Is. 53:5.) What prophecy was fulfilled? (Is. 50:6; 53:3.) What treatment would we naturally expect for Him? With what coin does the world usually pay its benefactors? What is the only explanation of why one so good, so humble, so compassionate, so divine should receive such treatment as Christ did at the hands of men? Is human nature essentially different today? Who is the God of this world? (2 Cor. 4:4.)
CLASSIFICATION OF TEACHINGS
1. Jesus Christ
(1). His divinity:
Jesus testified under oath that He was “the Christ, the Son of God.” The one who denies it makes Jesus a perjurer and a blasphemer, 61, 62; compare Matt. 26:63, 64.
(2). His treatment:
Hated, 55 (a Christlike life makes as many enemies as friends in this godless age; compare John 15:18–20.) His death planned, 55;
Testimony against Him eagerly sought, 55; many testified falsely against Him, 56; (however purely one may live many can be found to lie about him.) Condemned to death as a blasphemer for bearing witness that He was the Son of God, 64;
Spit upon, buffeted and mocked by the leading men, 65; compare Is. 53:3–5. Received by the servants with blows, 65.
(3). The charges against Him:
Blasphemy against the temple, 58; blasphemy against God, 62–64. (That men bring serious charges against a man proves nothing against him; the religious leaders of the day did the same against Jesus.)
(4). His conduct:
Silent under false accusation, 60, 61; compare 1 Peter 2:21. (Caiaphas sat in judgment and Jesus was silent before him in conscious innocence. Jesus will sit in judgment and Caiaphas will be speechless in conscious guilt.) Silent under abuse and insult, 65; compare Peter 2:23; sinless. The testimony of false witnesses contradictory, 56, 59. (There is little need that a child of God spend time in answering the witnesses against him. Leave them alone and they will contradict one another; compare Ps. 37:5, 6.) His worst enemies could find no testimony against Him, 55.
(5). His coming glory:
He shall sit at the right hand of power, 62; He shall come with the clouds of heaven, 62.
2. The Chief Priests and the Whole Council
(1). Their hatred of Christ:
Determined to put Him to death, 55; sought witness against Him, 55; still held Him though they could find no witness against Him, 55; sought to entangle Him, 61; condemned Him to death without evidence, 64; spit upon Him, buffeted Him and mocked Him, 65. (The human heart is thoroughly bad and at enmity against God, as seen in its past and present treatment of His Son; compare Jer. 17:9; Ro. 8:7. What are you doing with Jesus?)
(2). The overturning of their plans. (compare Ps. 76:10.)
Their futile attempt to blacken the character of Jesus only served to illustrate its perfection, 55; their attempt to ensnare Him into a compromising statement only served to bring out the most unmistakable testimony to His kingship, divinity and coming glory, 62.
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R.A. Torrey (1856 - 1928)
An American evangelist, pastor, educator, and writer. Called by D. L. Moody to head Bible institute in Chicago (now Moody Bible Institute). Dean of Bible Institute of Los Angeles. Pastorates included Chicago Avenue Church (now Moody Memorial) and Church of the Open Door, Los Angeles. Worldwide evangelistic meetings with Charlie Alexander. Founded Montrose Bible Conference, PA. Wrote more than forty books.Torrey held his last evangelistic meeting in Florida in 1927, additional meetings being canceled because of his failing health. He died at home in Asheville, North Carolina, on October 26, 1928, having preached throughout the world and written more than 40 books. Torrey-Gray Auditorium, the main auditorium at Moody, was named for Torrey and his successor, James M. Gray. At Biola, the Torrey Honors Institute honors him, as does the university's annual Bible conference.
Reuben Archer Torrey was an American evangelist, pastor, educator, and writer. Held evangelistic meetings around the world with song leader Charlie Alexander. Called by D.L. Moody to head the Bible Institute of the Chicago Evangelization Society (now Moody Bible Institute); Dean of Bible Institute of Los Angeles; pastorates included Chicago Avenue Church (now Moody Memorial Church) and Church of the Open Door, Los Angeles.
Besides his obvious gifts in all these areas, he was also a man of prayer, a student of the Bible, and an outstanding personal soul-winner. It is said that he daily read the Bible in four languages, having a good working knowledge of Greek and Hebrew. Some students of church history feel he did more to promote personal evangelism than any other one man since the days of the apostles. His prayer life has seldom been equaled in the annals of Christendom.
Reuben A. Torrey wrote some forty books and his practical writings on the Holy Spirit, prayer, salvation, soul-winning, and evangelism are still favorites of many Christians.