EASTER

Bible Study Thoughts and Notes on Easter

Easter is the word used by Christians to denote the anniversary of the Death and Resurrection of Jesus Christ.

The events, as recorded in the New Testament, show that these events took place just before the Jewish Passover.
It is important to understand the differences in the times used in the Biblical records compared with today. Today, the twenty four hour of each day goes from midnight to midnight, in the New Testament time, each day started at 06:00 in the evening on one day and ended at 06:00 evening the next day.

In addition the night was not divided into hours but into three hour "watches". The first was from 06:00 pm until 09:00 pm; the "second watch" was 09:00 to midnight; the "third watch" started at midnight and ended at 03:00 am; the final "fourth night watch" being from 03:00 am to 06:00 am.

The daytime began at 06:00 am and was then divided into 12 hours until 06:00 pm So, for example, in the New Testament the "third hour" would be 09:00 am

The Trials:

Notes on legal requirements :
The laws for any criminal trial’s in the New Testament states that:-

 

1) They must take place in daylight hours.

 

2) Criminal trials cannot take place during the Passover period.

 

3) If the person is found "Guilty" then the pronouncement of the verdict cannot be given on the same day as the trial, a night must pass to allow the evidence to be considered.

 

4) All evidence needed two witnesses, these people must be independently examined and not allowed to contact each other during the trial. Read Matt 26:59-60

"59 Now the chief priests, and elders, and all the council, sought false witness against Jesus, to put him to death;
60 But found none: yea, though many false witnesses came, yet found they none. At the last came two false witnesses."

Trial 1

The first trial takes place in the house of Annas during the hours of darkness, it was therefore illegal. Annas used two charges to interrogate Jesus, the teaching and the disciples, John 18:19.

"19 The high priest then asked Jesus of his disciples, and of his doctrine."
20 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.
21 Why askest thou me? ask them which heard me, what I have said unto them: behold, they know what I said."

The reply by Jesus, "I taught openly, why not ask those who heard my teaching," now puts the charge and question back onto Annas, Jesus is challenging them, "you prove I did wrong."

Trial 2

This takes place in the house of Caiaphas, again it took place during the night and so was illegal.
Matthew 26:59-60

"59 Now the chief priests, and elders, and all the council, sought false witness against Jesus, to put him to death;
60 But found none: yea, though many false witnesses came, yet found they none. At the last came two false witnesses, "

This passage tells us that they are unable to find any witness to prove the charge. It was not until Caiaphas challenged Jesus,
’I ask you in the name of the living God. Tell us. Are you the Christ, the Son of God?’
Jesus answered him, ’Yes, I am. Also I tell you that after this you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the One who has all power. You will see him coming on the clouds in the sky!’
Jesus had to provide the evidence Himself!!!
Note, the charge was now "Blasphemy", ("Blasphemy" means "making sacred claims or speaking without respect or irreverently about God".)

Trial 3

This trial takes place in the "council chamber," this was located in the temple. This chamber is used for the Sanhedrin meeting as they were the supreme court of the Jewish nation, it is only here that official business was allowed to take place. See Matthew 27:1;

"1 When the morning was come, all the chief priests and elders of the people took counsel against Jesus to put him to death: "

"And straightway in the morning the chief priests held a consultation with the elders and scribes and the whole council, and bound Jesus, and carried him away, and delivered him to Pilate."

Luke 22:66-71

"And as soon as it was day, the elders of the people and the chief priests and the scribes came together, and led him into their council, saying,
Art thou the Christ? tell us. And he said unto them, If I tell you, ye will not believe:
And if I also ask you, ye will not answer me, nor let me go.
Hereafter shall the Son of man sit on the right hand of the power of God.
Then said they all, Art thou then the Son of God? And he said unto them, Ye say that I am.
And they said, What need we any further witness? for we ourselves have heard of his own mouth."

Following this trial Jesus is taken before Pilate.

Trial 4

The Jews were under the control of the Romans, this meant that under Roman law the Jewish leaders were not allowed to put a person to death, any trial for a crime which could result in a death penalty had to take place before and with Roman agreement and authority.

As a result of this rule the Jewish leaders must now take Jesus for trial before Pontius Pilate, who was the Roman Governor of the area from 26 AD to 35 AD.

Pontius Pilate was known to be very anti-Semitic, he was considered by the Jews to be also corrupt and cruel, apparently he was often happy to authorize a death penalty without a true trial.

Because the Passover was about to begin, the Jews religious leaders could not enter the Roman Judgement Hall, if they did they would be made "religiously unclean," according to the Jewish religious rules, and therefore would not be allowed to take part in the Passover feast.
Pilate therefore has to go outside to meet the Jewish leaders, and this appears to be very annoying to Pilate, so he takes Jesus into the Judgement Hall, away from the religious leaders, who now could not interfere with his examination of Jesus.

For the record of the trial see the following Bible references:

Matthew 27:2,11-24;

"1 When the morning was come, all the chief priests and elders of the people took counsel against Jesus to put him to death:
2 And when they had bound him, they led him away, and delivered him to Pontius Pilate the governor.

11 And Jesus stood before the governor: and the governor asked him, saying, Art thou the King of the Jews? And Jesus said unto him, Thou sayest.
12 And when he was accused of the chief priests and elders, he answered nothing.
13 Then said Pilate unto him, Hearest thou not how many things they witness against thee?
14 And he answered him to never a word; insomuch that the governor marvelled greatly.
15 Now at that feast the governor was wont to release unto the people a prisoner, whom they would.
16 And they had then a notable prisoner, called Barabbas.
17 Therefore when they were gathered together, Pilate said unto them, Whom will ye that I release unto you? Barabbas, or Jesus which is called Christ?
18 For he knew that for envy they had delivered him.
19 When he was set down on the judgment seat, his wife sent unto him, saying, Have thou nothing to do with that just man: for I have suffered many things this day in a dream because of him.
20 But the chief priests and elders persuaded the multitude that they should ask Barabbas, and destroy Jesus.
21 The governor answered and said unto them, Whether of the twain will ye that I release unto you? They said, Barabbas.
22 Pilate saith unto them, What shall I do then with Jesus which is called Christ? They all say unto him, Let him be crucified.
23 And the governor said, Why, what evil hath he done? But they cried out the more, saying, Let him be crucified.
24 When Pilate saw that he could prevail nothing, but that rather a tumult was made, he took water, and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, I am innocent of the blood of this just person: see ye to it.
25 Then answered all the people, and said, His blood be on us, and on our children.

26 Then released he Barabbas unto them: and when he had scourged Jesus, he delivered him to be crucified."

Mark 15:1-5;

" 1 And straightway in the morning the chief priests held a consultation with the elders and scribes and the whole council, and bound Jesus, and carried him away, and delivered him to Pilate.
2 And Pilate asked him, Art thou the King of the Jews? And he answering said unto him, Thou sayest it.
3 And the chief priests accused him of many things: but he answered nothing.
4 And Pilate asked him again, saying, answerest thou nothing? behold how many things they witness against thee.
5 But Jesus yet answered nothing; so that Pilate marvelled. "

Luke 23:1-5;

"1 And the whole multitude of them arose, and led him unto Pilate.
2 And they began to accuse him, saying, We found this fellow perverting the nation, and forbidding to give tribute to Caesar, saying that he himself is Christ a King.
3 And Pilate asked him, saying, Art thou the King of the Jews? And he answered him and said, Thou sayest it.
4 Then said Pilate to the chief priests and to the people, I find no fault in this man.
5 And they were the more fierce, saying, He stirreth up the people, teaching throughout all Jewry, beginning from Galilee to this place. "

John 18:28-38

"28 Then led they Jesus from Caiaphas unto the hall of judgment: and it was early; and they themselves went not into the judgment hall, lest they should be defiled; but that they might eat the passover.
29 Pilate then went out unto them, and said, What accusation bring ye against this man?
30 They answered and said unto him, If he were not a malefactor, we would not have delivered him up unto thee.
31 Then said Pilate unto them, Take ye him, and judge him according to your law. The Jews therefore said unto him, It is not lawful for us to put any man to death:
32 That the saying of Jesus might be fulfilled, which he spake, signifying what death he should die.
33 Then Pilate entered into the judgment hall again, and called Jesus, and said unto him, Art thou the King of the Jews?
34 Jesus answered him, Sayest thou this thing of thyself, or did others tell it thee of me?
35 Pilate answered, Am I a Jew? Thine own nation and the chief priests have delivered thee unto me: what hast thou done?
36 Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence.
37 Pilate therefore said unto him, Art thou a king then? Jesus answered, Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice.
38 Pilate saith unto him, What is truth? And when he had said this, he went out again unto the Jews, and saith unto them, I find in him no fault at all."

Note that the Jews did not accuse Jesus of "Blasphemy", this would not have been accepted by Pilate, he is now charged with "claiming to be king of the Jews," that of course would be a challenge to the Roman authority.

John 18:38 Pilate returns to the Jews outside and tells them "I can find not reason for a death penalty".

"5 And they were the more fierce, saying, He stirreth up the people, teaching throughout all Jewry, beginning from Galilee to this place."

The religious leaders will not be put off, "He troubles the people by his teaching. He has been teaching people in all the country of Judea. He began in Galilee and has come as far as this city."
On hearing the name "Galilee" Pilate sees a possible way out for himself and this trial. King Herod controlled the Galilee area and as Jesus had come from Galilee King Herod could make the decision of what to do with Jesus.

Trial 5

On discovering that Jesus was from Galilee Pilate now sends him to Herod for the next trial. (This is Herod Antipas, who beheaded John the Baptist Matthew 14:1-12. He came from a nasty family, all his brothers had been murdered by their own father.)

Jesus now stands before Herod, see Luke 23:8-12.

"8 And when Herod saw Jesus, he was exceeding glad: for he was desirous to see him of a long season, because he had heard many things of him; and he hoped to have seen some miracle done by him.
9 Then he questioned with him in many words; but he answered him nothing.
10 And the chief priests and scribes stood and vehemently accused him.
11 And Herod with his men of war set him at nought, and mocked him, and arrayed him in a gorgeous robe, and sent him again to Pilate.
12 And the same day Pilate and Herod were made friends together: for before they were at enmity between themselves."

Trial 6

Pilate now finds that he has to make the decision. Realizing a possible way out he tries to use the common practice which allows him to release a prisoner at the feast. He makes an offer to the crowd, " I can release Jesus or an evil, murdering prisoner called Barabbas, "Mark 15:7.

"7 And there was one named Barabbas, which lay bound with them that had made insurrection with him, who had committed murder in the insurrection. "

Pilate could not believe that the people would chose Barabbas, an evil killer instead of Jesus, a man who spoke peace and healed illness. But he had not realized the hatred of Jesus by the religious leaders, Matthew 27:20-22.

"20 But the chief priests and elders persuaded the multitude that they should ask Barabbas, and destroy Jesus.
21 The governor answered and said unto them, Whether of the twain will ye that I release unto you? They said, Barabbas.
22 Pilate saith unto them, What shall I do then with Jesus which is called Christ? They all say unto him, Let him be crucified. "

"When Pilate saw that he could prevail nothing, but that rather a tumult was made, he took water, and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, I am innocent of the blood of this just person: see ye to it."

The New Testament records tell us that Pilate "washed his hands" as a symbol to the Jews that the authorization for the coming crucifixion was not his decision, though it was by his authority that it took place.
The power crazed crowd gave their response, John 19:13-17.

"And from thenceforth Pilate sought to release him: but the Jews cried out, saying, If thou let this man go, thou art not Caesar’s friend: whosoever maketh himself a king speaketh against Caesar.
When Pilate therefore heard that saying, he brought Jesus forth, and sat down in the judgment seat in a place that is called the Pavement, but in the Hebrew, Gabbatha.
And it was the preparation of the passover, and about the sixth hour: and he saith unto the Jews, Behold your King!
But they cried out, Away with him, away with him, crucify him. Pilate saith unto them, Shall I crucify your King? The chief priests answered, We have no king but Caesar.
Then delivered he him therefore unto them to be crucified. And they took Jesus, and led him away.
And he bearing his cross went forth into a place called the place of a skull, which is called in the Hebrew Golgotha:"

Thoughts on some of the objects involved.

The Scourge.

History tells us that there were two types of scourging during the New Testament times, the Jewish scourging and the Roman scourging.

The Jewish scourge

"If there be a controversy between men, and they come unto judgment, that the judges may judge them; then they shall justify the righteous, and condemn the wicked.
And it shall be, if the wicked man be worthy to be beaten, that the judge shall cause him to lie down, and to be beaten before his face, according to his fault, by a certain number.
Forty stripes he may give him, and not exceed: lest, if he should exceed, and beat him above these with many stripes, then thy brother should seem vile unto thee."

God instructed that the victim should not receive more than forty whip lashes.

The Roman scourge

This scourge was far different, the whip consisted of a short circular wooden handle to which were attached at one end a number of thin strips of leather. At the other end of these strips were attached pieces of bone, sharp stones or even short metal chains. There was no maximum number of lashes or to which parts of the body the lashes were to be administered.
The victim would have been striped then tied to a post of wood or stone. The soldier who administer the scourge would stand about six feet away then strike the victims body with the whip. The bone, stone or metal would bit into the flesh, this would be repeated again and again to different parts of the body. For the victim to die from this treatment was not unusual.

The Crown of Thorns.

The crown was made by the Roman soldiers when they were making fun of His charge of being a King of the Jews just before Jesus was taken to be crucified,. Matthew 27:27-31;

"Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the common hall, and gathered unto him the whole band of soldiers.
And they stripped him, and put on him a scarlet robe.
And when they had platted a crown of thorns, they put it upon his head, and a reed in his right hand: and they bowed the knee before him, and mocked him, saying, Hail, King of the Jews!
And they spit upon him, and took the reed, and smote him on the head.
And after that they had mocked him, they took the robe off from him, and put his own raiment on him, and led him away to crucify him."

Mark 15:16-20.

"And the soldiers led him away into the hall, called Praetorium; and they call together the whole band.
And they clothed him with purple, and platted a crown of thorns, and put it about his head,
And began to salute him, Hail, King of the Jews!
And they smote him on the head with a reed, and did spit upon him, and bowing their knees worshipped him.
And when they had mocked him, they took off the purple from him, and put his own clothes on him, and led him out to crucify him."

The crown.

There are a number of plants with sharp spines which grow in the area.
Some people feel that the thorns symbolize the sin of mankind, Genesis 3:17-19;

"And unto Adam he said, Because thou hast hearkened unto the voice of thy wife, and hast eaten of the tree, of which I commanded thee, saying, Thou shalt not eat of it: cursed is the ground for thy sake; in sorrow shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life;
Thorns also and thistles shall it bring forth to thee; and thou shalt eat the herb of the field;
In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return."

Hebrews 6:7,8.

"For the earth which drinketh in the rain that cometh oft upon it, and bringeth forth herbs meet for them by whom it is dressed, receiveth blessing from God:
But that which beareth thorns and briers is rejected, and is nigh unto cursing; whose end is to be burned."