The judges were awakened at midnight; the Jewish High Priests that they might accuse Him, the heathen judges that they might condemn Him.  The High Priest Caiaphas left his couch right gladly; he was delighted that they had caught Him at last, but he thought that the High Priest Annas should frame the accusation; he was younger, better acquainted with the Roman laws, and would carry through the ticklish business most effectively.  He, Caiaphas, would hold himself ready for bearing testimony or sealing documents at any minute.  Annas, too, was delighted that the Galilean, who had insulted the Pharisees in the Temple in so unheard-of a fashion, was caught at last.  He would settle the matter this very night, before the people, on whom no reliance was to be placed, could interfere.  With respect to the accusation, the whole high priesthood of Jerusalem must meet in order to take counsel over this knotty case.  As a matter of fact there was nothing they could legally bring against the fellow.  His speeches to the people.  His proceedings in the Temple were, unfortunately, not sufficient.  Some crime—­a political one if possible—­must be proved against Him, if that heathen, the Roman governor, was to condemn Him.

So they met at the house of Caiaphas to take counsel.  They carried innumerable scrolls under their arms, in which were written all manner of things that had occurred since the first appearance of the Nazarene.  The Galilean Rabbis especially had sent volumes in order to discredit and expose Him.  Yet all this would not be sufficient for the governor.  Some definite point must be clearly worked up.

Then Jesus was brought in.  His hands were bound, His dress was soiled and torn.  His countenance very sad.  The crowd had already had proof of His courage.  He stood there quietly.  Terror He no longer felt, sadness alone lay in His eyes.  They turned over the scrolls and spoke together in whispers.  It was made known that they would be glad to hear anyone who could bring any evidence against Him.  But no one offered.  The priests looked at each other in bewilderment.  Those who struck Him and insulted Him must surely know why they did it!

At length a deformed man came forward.  He was certainly only a poor camel-dealer, but he knew something.  The story of the whale!  The Galilean said that, just as the whale cast up Jonah after three days, so would He come forth from His grave three days after His death.  The man had also said that He would destroy Solomon’s Temple, which had taken forty-seven years to build, and rebuild it in three days.  Other witnesses could be found to testify to these things.

Some considered, however, that these stories were empty exaggerations, and nothing more.

“They are blasphemy,” exclaimed Caiaphas.  “Everything He says has a hidden meaning.  What He meant was that three days after His death He would rise again, in order to destroy the Kingdom of the Jews and establish a new Kingdom.”  Then he turned to Jesus:  “Did you say that?”