An Obstinate Roman.

And now the impatient leaders detect the first streaks of gray coming up in the east.  The national council can now properly meet.  Like their two chiefs, these men are prompt.  The whips had been out over the city drumming up the members for this extraordinary session.  There seems to have been a full attendance.  Jesus, still bound, is led through the streets; followed by the mixed rabble, to the meeting hall, probably in the neighborhood of the temple.  He is brought in and faces these men.  How some of those eyes must have gloated out their green leering!  Here are the men He had not hesitated to denounce openly with the severest invective ever spoken.

Some time is spent in consultation.  The difficulty here is to fix upon a charge upon which they can themselves agree, and which will also be sufficient for the desired action by the Roman governor.  It was a tough task.  They fail in it.  These men divided into groups that were ever at swords’ points.  There were utter opposites in beliefs and policies.  But their common hate of Jesus rises for the time above their hatred for each other.  The charge must appeal to Pilate, for only he has power of capital punishment, and nothing but Jesus’ blood will quench their thirst.

Their consultation results in another attempt to question Jesus in the hope of getting some word that can be used.  The president goes back to his former question, “If Thou art the Christ, tell us.”  Jesus reminds them of the lack of sincerity in their questionings.  They would not believe Him, nor answer His questions.  Then He repeats the solemn words spoken in the night session, “From henceforth shall the Son of Man be seated at the right hand of the power of God.”  Eagerly they all blurt out, “Art Thou then the Son of God?” Back comes the quiet, steady reply, “Ye say that I am,” equal to a strong yes.  Instantly they decide fully and formally upon His condemnation.  So closes the third phase of the Jewish examination.  The death sentence is fixed upon.  The thing has been formally fixed up.  The ground is now cleared for taking Him to Pilate for His death sentence.

It is still early morning when Jesus is taken to Pilate.  It was an imposing procession of the leading men of the nation, headed very likely by Caiaphas, that now led Jesus across the city, through its narrow streets, up to the palace of the Roman governor.  Jesus is conducted into Pilate’s hall of judgment within, but, with their scrupulous regard for the letter of their law, these principals would not enter his palace on that day, but remained without.  They seem to be expecting Pilate to send the prisoner back at once with their death sentence endorsed.