Font Size
Luke mentions four stages in the trial of Jesus: the appearance before the Sanhedrin, the Jewish supreme council, presided over by the high priest; the appearance before Pilate, the Roman governor; the appearance before Herod Antipas, ruler, or tetrarch, of Galilee; and the appearance before the crowd. In Ac 4:25-28 these events are said to be a fulfillment of Ps 2:1-2. Jesus' reluctance to speak (23:9) is reminiscent of the Suffering Servant of Isa 53:7. But the words Jesus did speak aroused the anger of the Sanhedrin. He did not explicitly admit that he was the Christ, yet he spoke of himself as the Son of Man, seated at the right hand of God (22:66-69). When he was asked whether he was the Son of God, his reply, literally translated, was, “You say that I am.” The NIV interprets it “You are right in saying I am” (v.70). According to another interpretation, however, his reply was deliberately ambiguous. Whatever may be its precise meaning, he said enough to reinforce his opponents in their desire to do away with him (v.71).
While the Jewish leaders treated Jesus as guilty (22:71), Pilate and Herod regarded him as innocent (23:4, 13-15, 22). Nevertheless, Pilate sent him to his death (vv.24-25).