Jesus to the soldiers for the preliminary scourging.  Finding the Jews ready to urge, at length, a religious charge, Pilate’s superstitious fear was roused (John xix. 7-12), and he sought again to release him, but was finally cowed by the threat of an accusation against him at Rome, and, mocking the people by sitting in judgment to condemn Jesus as their king, he gave sentence against the man whom he knew to be innocent (John xix. 12-16).

200.  Some of Jesus’ disciples and friends were witnesses of the early stages of the informal trial, in particular, John (John xviii. 15) and Peter.  It was during the progress of the early examination that Peter was drawn into his denials by the comments made by the bystanders on his connection with the accused.  It has been suggested that the house of the high-priest where Jesus was tried was built, like other Oriental houses, about a court so that the room where Jesus was examined was open to view from the court.  In this case it is easy to see how Jesus could overhear his disciple’s strenuous denials of any acquaintance with him, and could turn and give him that look which sent him out to weep bitterly (Luke xxii. 61, 62).  If it be further assumed that Annas and Caiaphas occupied different sides of the same high-priestly palace, the double examination reported by John would still be within hearing from the one court in which the faithless disciple was a fascinated witness of his Master’s trial.

201.  Humanly speaking, it may be said that the fate of Jesus was sealed when the Sadducean leaders came to look on him seriously as a danger to the State (John xi. 47-50, note the mention of chief priests).  The religious opposition was serious, and might have brought trouble, in some such way as it seems to have done to John the Baptist (see Matt. xvii. 10-13; Luke xiii. 31, 32); but it is doubtful whether the governor would have given much attention to a charge not urged by the men of influence in Jerusalem.  The notable thing in connection with the last days of Jesus’ life is the joint opposition of Sadducean priests and Pharisaic scribes.  That the populace easily changed their cry from “hosanna” to “crucify him” is not surprising.  Their hosannas were due to a complete misconception of Jesus’ aim and purpose; disappointed in him, they would be the earliest to cry out against him, especially when the choice lay between him and a genuine insurrectionist.

202.  Each fresh study of the trial of Jesus gives a fresh impression of his greatness.  He who but a few hours before was pouring out his soul in prayer that his cup might pass, stands forth as the one calm and undisturbed actor among all those who took part in the tragic doings of that day.  His judges and foes were all swayed by passion and self-interest and were ready to make travesty of justice, from the leaders of the sanhedrin who condemned him on one charge and accused him to the governor on another, to the governor himself, who appeared determined to