JESUS BEFORE HIS PERSECUTORS THE HIGH PRIEST QUESTIONS JESUS.

THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO JOHN

INTRODUCTION

IV. THE WITNESS OF JESUS’ SUFFERINGS, DEATH AND RESURRECTION,

Trial before Caiaphas

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  75. How did Jesus defend Himself before Annas?

The High Priest Questions Jesus

The high priest then asked Jesus of his disciples, and of his doctrine.
Jesus answered him,

I spake openly to the world; I ever taught in the synagogue, and in the temple, whither the Jews always resort; and in secret have I said nothing.
Why askest thou me? ask them which heard me, what I have said unto them: behold, they know what I said.

And when he had thus spoken, one of the officers which stood by struck Jesus with the palm of his hand, saying, Answerest thou the high priest so?
Jesus answered him,

If I have spoken evil, bear witness of the evil: but if well, why smitest thou me?

Now Annas had sent him bound unto Caiaphas the high priest. 

75. How did Jesus defend Himself before Annas?

JESUS BEFORE HIS PERSECUTORS

Annas was the father-in-law of the high priest. For many years he had worn the high priest’s robes, and though now he had nominally retired from his office, he still kept his hands on the reins. He was the most powerful factor in the high-priestly circles. He was awaiting the return of the expedition in the hall of his palace, and at once began a preliminary inquiry, in the hope of extracting something on which to base his case against our Lord. Jesus penetrated his crafty purpose, and referred Annas to the army of spies who had been always on his track. There was no anger in Jesus’ heart. He desired simply to show how absolutely pure and true His words had been; that though He was exposed to searching scrutiny, yet this secret measure had to be resorted to by Annas to incriminate Him. Jesus did not resist evil, but endeavored to bring His accusers and judges calmly to face their own consciences.

By Philippus Schutte

New Covenant Israelite! "And if some of the branches be broken off, and thou, being a wild olive tree, wert grafted in among them, and with them partakest of the root and fatness of the olive tree;  Boast not against the branches. But if thou boast, thou bearest not the root, but the root thee."  Rom 11:17 -18