They did not dignify
his case by even filing a formal charge against him. They sought,
contrary to the law, to make him testify against himself. They knew
nothing themselves against him; and notwithstanding they sat as the high
and dignified court of the nation of Israel, they resorted to
subornation of perjury. "Now the chief priests, and elders, and all the
council [the entire court], sought false witness against Jesus, to put
him to death; but found none; yea, though many false witnesses came, yet
found they none. At the last came two false witnesses." (Matthew 26:59,60)
This exalted tribunal, in violation of every law and every precedent
known to Jewish jurisprudence, demanded of Jesus that he testify against
himself. "The high priest arose and said unto him, ... I adjure thee by
the living God, that thou tell us whether thou be the Christ, the Son of
God." (Matthew 26:62,63) And when he told the truth, saying, "Ye say
that I am," they said, "What need we any further witness? for we
ourselves have heard of his own mouth". (Luke 22:66-71) They immediately
voted that he should die--also contrary to their law, which required
that each member of the court should consider the case and then vote
individually. Holding the session of court at night to convict him, they
knew they were proceeding contrary to law; so they convened the court
the following morning to ratify the sentence, which was likewise
contrary to law.
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