The Sanhedrin was the supreme council and tribunal of the Jewish people during the time of Jesus Christ. It was made up of 71 members and was presided over by the high priest. The Sanhedrin exercised authority over all Jewish religious, civil, and criminal matters. The Bible provides some key details about the Sanhedrin:
- The Sanhedrin was an assembly of elders, scribes, Pharisees and Sadducees who made up the ruling religious council in Jerusalem (Matthew 26:59; Mark 14:55; Acts 5:21).
- The high priest presided over the Sanhedrin (Matthew 26:3, 57; Acts 5:17).
- The Sanhedrin had the authority to arrest people and order executions (Matthew 26:59; Acts 5:17-18).
- The Sanhedrin could order punishments like flogging (Matthew 5:40; Acts 5:40).
- The Sanhedrin handled cases involving religious, civil and criminal matters under Mosaic law (Acts 5:17; 9:2; 22:30; 23:1).
- The Sanhedrin met regularly at its headquarters in the Temple complex in Jerusalem (Matthew 26:59; Acts 5:21).
- The Sanhedrin lost the authority to order executions when Judea came under Roman rule in A.D. 6 (John 18:31).
- The Sanhedrin lost much of its power and status after the Romans destroyed the Temple in A.D. 70.
The Sanhedrin plays a significant role in the trial of Jesus in the Gospels. Here are some key interactions between Jesus and the Sanhedrin as described in Scripture:
- Jesus was brought before the Sanhedrin on charges of blasphemy after his arrest (Matthew 26:57-68; Mark 14:53-65; Luke 22:66-71).
- The Sanhedrin questioned Jesus and heard testimony against him, ultimately declaring him guilty and deserving of death (Matthew 26:65-66; Mark 14:64).
- The Sanhedrin did not have authority to execute Jesus, so they brought him to Pontius Pilate, the Roman governor (Matthew 27:1-2; Mark 15:1; Luke 22:66).
- The Sanhedrin pressured Pilate to carry out the death sentence on Jesus (Matthew 27:20-26; Mark 15:11-15; Luke 23:13-25).
- After Jesus’ resurrection, Peter and John were arrested and brought before the Sanhedrin for preaching about Jesus (Acts 4:1-22; 5:17-42).
- Stephen, the first Christian martyr, was dragged before the Sanhedrin and stoned after testifying about Jesus (Acts 6:12-7:60).
- Saul (later Paul) was authorized by the Sanhedrin to arrest Christians in Damascus (Acts 9:1-2).
Based on these accounts, we can see the Sanhedrin played a major role in opposing the early Christian movement. Jesus stood trial before the Sanhedrin and they handed him over for execution. Then the apostles faced persecution from the Sanhedrin as they began preaching the gospel in Jerusalem after Jesus’ resurrection and ascension. The Sanhedrin saw the apostles’ teachings as a threat to their authority over religious matters among the Jewish people.
In summary, the Sanhedrin was the supreme legal and religious council of the Jews during the time of Christ’s earthly ministry. It was made up of Sadducees, Pharisees, elders and scribes. The high priest presided over the council, which had authority over Jewish religious, civil and criminal cases. The Sanhedrin questioned Jesus, declared him guilty of blasphemy and pushed for his crucifixion. Later, it persecuted the apostles as the early Christian church began to grow rapidly after Pentecost. Understanding the role of the Sanhedrin provides important context about the opposition and trials Jesus and the apostles faced for their claims about Jesus’ messianic identity and teaching authority.
The composition and structure of the Sanhedrin during the time of Christ:
The Great Sanhedrin in Jerusalem was made up of 71 members, as follows:
- The High Priest – The presiding officer who oversaw the proceedings.
- Chief Priests – These were former high priests as well as members of the chief priestly families.
- Elders – Tribal and family heads who were influential members of nobility.
- Scribes – Experts in the Jewish Law who were well-versed in Scripture, history and precedent.
- Pharisees – Members of the religious party noted for strict observance of the Law.
- Sadducees – Members of the priestly party, many of whom were politically influential.
The 71 members of the Sanhedrin formed a semi-circle in front of the High Priest during proceedings to pass judgment. The council members questioned witnesses and defendants and then voted to convict or acquit based on the evidence. Conviction required a majority vote.
The Sanhedrin held a strong position in Jewish society and wielded considerable legal power, though they ultimately answered to the Roman authorities during the time of Christ. Their approval was needed to sentence and execute capital punishment. The location of the Sanhedrin varied at different points in history, but during Jesus’ time, they met in a hall of the Temple complex in Jerusalem.
Lesser Sanhedrins also governed different regions and settlements in Israel with 23 members. But the Great Sanhedrin in Jerusalem held the supreme status and authority in religious and legal affairs over the Jewish nation.
Key interactions between Jesus Christ and the Sanhedrin:
Here are some of the major interactions between Jesus Christ and the Sanhedrin as described in the Gospels:
- Jesus was arrested at night in the Garden of Gethsemane and brought before the Sanhedrin for questioning (Matthew 26:57-68; Mark 14:53-65; Luke 22:54, 63-71). They sought testimony against him.
- The Sanhedrin brought charges of blasphemy against Jesus for claiming to be the Messiah and the Son of God (Matthew 26:63-66; Mark 14:61-64; Luke 22:67-71).
- When Jesus acknowledged that he was the Messiah and would sit at the right hand of God, the High Priest declared it blasphemy and the Sanhedrin condemned him as deserving death (Matthew 26:65-66; Mark 14:63-64).
- The Sanhedrin did not have the authority under Roman rule to execute the death penalty, so they brought Jesus before Pilate, the Roman governor (Matthew 27:1-2, 11-26; Mark 15:1-15; Luke 23:1-25; John 18:28-19:16).
- The Sanhedrin stirred up the crowd to call for Jesus’ crucifixion rather than releasing him per the Passover custom (Matthew 27:20-23; Mark 15:11-14).
- After Jesus’ resurrection, Peter and John were arrested by the Sadducees and brought before the Sanhedrin for preaching about Christ (Acts 4:1-22; 5:17-42).
- Stephen was seized by the Sanhedrin after his sermon and stoned to death for blasphemy (Acts 6:12-15; 7:1-60). His testimony cut them to the heart.
- Saul (Paul) received letters from the High Priest authorizing him to arrest Christians in Damascus (Acts 9:1-2).
These interactions clearly show that the Sanhedrin was strongly opposed to Jesus’ claims of being the Messiah. They rejected him as a blasphemer deserving of death. Even after his resurrection, the Sanhedrin continued to persecute his followers like Peter, John, Stephen and other Christians. They saw the apostles’ preaching as threatening their control and authority over the Jewish people. Jesus knew their thoughts (Matthew 12:25; John 11:47-53) and denounced their hypocrisy and pride (Matthew 23).
The trial of Jesus before the Sanhedrin:
The trial of Jesus before the Sanhedrin was an illegal and unjust affair according to historical accounts and analysis:
- Jesus was arrested at night, which violated Jewish legal procedures. Trials were to be conducted during daylight hours (Matthew 26:31, 47-56).
- The trial was held at the High Priest’s residence rather than the council chambers, violating protocol (Matthew 26:57-58; Mark 14:53-54).
- The entire proceeding occurred rapidly in a single night, rather than over several days as required by Jewish law.
- Witnesses gave false and conflicting testimonies against Jesus (Matthew 26:59-61; Mark 14:55-59). This violated the Law’s requirements for credible witnesses (Deuteronomy 19:15-21).
- The Sanhedrin actively sought testimony against Jesus, rather than maintaining neutrality as judges (Matthew 26:59).
- They questioned Jesus directly, instead of relying on witnesses as required. Their questions aimed to trap him (Matthew 26:62-64; Luke 22:67-71).
- The death sentence was illegal under Roman law which prohibited Jews from carrying out capital punishment (John 18:31).
- Blasphemy laws required investigation into the offender’s mental state and repentance opportunity before punishment (Mishnah Sanhedrin 7:10; 11:1).
The Sanhedrin twisted the legal system to ensure Jesus’ conviction, revealing their religious jealousy and hatred toward him. Both Jewish and Roman laws were violated by their rush to judgment. Ultimately it fulfilled God’s plan for Jesus to be unjustly executed and pay for the sins of the world (Isaiah 53:3-12).
The decline and discontinuation of the Sanhedrin after 70 AD:
The Great Sanhedrin in Jerusalem lost much of its authority and prestige following the destruction of the Second Temple in 70 AD by the Romans:
- With no Temple, the Sadducees lost their power base and could no longer dominate the council.
- The office of the High Priest could no longer be filled with the Temple destroyed.
- The council relocated to Yavneh under Rabban Yohanan ben Zakkai, but lacked the same authority.
- The Romans increasingly asserted control after 70 AD, limiting self-governance of the council.
- Jewish population shifted to the Galilee region after the fall of Jerusalem.
- Competition from local courts and synagogues arose to handle legal matters.
- The council’s membership and procedures underwent changes under the Pharisees.
- Records of the council disappear around 425 AD, marking its effective end.
Nevertheless, the Sanhedrin’s legacy continued to influence later Jewish legal development:
- Oral traditions from the Pharisees formed the Mishnah and Talmud texts.
- Codification of law expanded during the third to fifth centuries.
- Principles and precedents shaped emerging rabbinic scholarship and rulings.
- Regional rabbis maintained connections back to the council.
- The Sanhedrin’s roles were divided between local courts, synagogues, and rabbis.
While the central Sanhedrin faded after 70 AD, its legal and religious influence continued through the developing rabbinic tradition. Jesus’ interactions with the council also helped shape early Christian understanding of law versus gospel.