Trial, Crucifixion and Death Jesus was captured by his enemies, but in the beginning, his enemies didn t know what to do with him. This lesson studies the people and politics that finally led to Jesus death. Read the Bible Sections Below. Answer the Questions In front of the Jewish Council Luke 22:66-71 The Jewish Council (Sanhedrin) was the highest Jewish Court. They decided minor criminal cases and problems with interpreting the Jewish Law in the Old Testament. The Sanhedrin, however, could not condemn a person to death. 1. What two questions did the Sanhedrin ask Jesus? 2. How did Jesus answer these two questions?
Standing Before Pilate Luke 23:1-5, John 18:28-38 Pontius Pilate was the military ruler over Israel. He was Roman and he represented the power and authority of Roman Law over the country. Pilate had the authority to condemn people to death or to set them free. In history, he was known by others as ambitious and brutal. 1. How does Jesus act towards Pilate? 2. What sorts of questions does Pilate ask Jesus? 3. How does Jesus respond? 4. What does Pilate do with Jesus? Standing Before Herod Luke 23:5-11 1. Why was Herod glad to see Jesus? Herod was a Jewish ruler in the area of Galilee. He didn t have any real power except by the permission of the Roman Empire. He was a symbolic ruler. Herod is remembered for being very paranoid, brutal and morally corrupt. He could have people executed, and earlier had ordered the execution of Jesus cousin, John the Baptist.
2. How did Jesus respond to Herod s questions? 3. Afterwards, how did Herod treat Jesus? Return to Pilate 18:39-19:1-16 Luke 23:13-23, Matthew 27:15-26, John Jesus is sent once again to Pilate. Pilate has great difficulty in deciding what to do with Jesus. 1. What happened to Pilate s wife? What does she tell her husband about Jesus? 2. In Pilate s opinion, is Jesus guilty of crimes? 3. What does Pilate do to Jesus first? 4. Are the Jewish people satisfied? 5. Pilate is confused and upset. What does Jesus say to him? (John 19:11) 6. Pilate gives the Jewish people a choice about one prisoner to release, Jesus, or Barabbas. Which person do the Jewish people choose?
7. What do the Jewish people want to do to Jesus? The Death of Judas Matthew 27:3-10 1. How does Judas feel when he hears that Jesus has been sentenced to death? 2. What does Judas do? 3. What do the religious leaders do with Judas money? 4. What is the name of the field where Judas died? The Crucifixion 23:26-49 John 19:17-37, Matthew 27:27-56, Luke Crucifixion was a very terrible way to die. Roman soldiers used this as a way to execute people who were not citizens of the Roman Empire, and as a way to frighten others. Nails were hammered through a person s wrists and feet, and the person was pulled up and left to hang. The person would die from being unable to breathe. Sometimes it took several days for a person to die. 1. What was Jesus forced to carry to the place of execution?
2. Who was the person who was ordered to help Jesus along the way? 3. Pilate had prepared a sign to put above Jesus during his execution. What did it say? 4. What did the soldiers do while Jesus was hanging on the cross? 5. What did the people say to Jesus? 6. There were two thieves who were being crucified with Jesus. What did they say to him? 7. What did Jesus say to the thief who was sorry? 8. Strange things happened when Jesus died. What were some of the events? 9. In order to make sure that Jesus was dead, what did the soldier do? What came out of Jesus side? Reflections Only a week earlier, the people in Jerusalem were proclaiming that Jesus was their king. Now, he was dead on a cross. His disciples were either dead or in hiding. It was a time of doubt, defeat and depression for those who believed in Jesus: How could he be the Son of God? He didn t or couldn t save himself He is dead How can he be the Hero who would save the Jewish people? For his enemies, there was relief: One more troublemaker had been
silenced, and now things could return to normal again. Consider the following questions: What are you impressions from reading the story of Christ s trial and death? If you were Pilate, how would you have judged Christ? If you were one of the thieves on the crosses, what would you have said to Jesus? Jesus had told his disciples that he was going to be executed. Why do you think Jesus had to die? Assignment Watch The Passion of the Christ (with Japanese subtitles). Take notes about your thoughts and impressions as you watch the film. Be sure to share some of these with the class. Also prepare a list of questions that you have as you watch the film.