EASTER THOUGHTS

Bible Study Thoughts and Notes on Easter

Order of events before Trial and including the arrest of Jesus.

"The Trial of Jesus and Crucifixion Events"

"The Resurrection Events"

Thoughts on people involved with these events.

Peter.

Judas.

John.

John and James were the sons of Zebedee, it is thought that John was the younger as he is normally mentioned after his brother James. His mother was believed to be Salome, Mark 16:1; Matt 27:56. It is believed that she was the sister of Mary the mother of Jesus, John 19:25.
Mark 1:20 suggests that Zebedee, a fisherman, may have been well off as Mark 1:20 mentions "hired servants".
On three important events in the ministry of Jesus, John with Peter and James are taken apart from the other disciples to be involved in the event, see Mark 5:37; Mark 9:2; Mark 14:33. He also seems to have a close relationship with Jesus, Luke 13:3; Luke 19:26,27.

Annas.

He was the father_in-Law of the high priest Caiaphas. He had been high priest for seventeen years before the present high priest Caiaphas, John 18:13. Annas was a wealthy man and owned and operated the money-changing system in the temple.

Caiaphas.

Caiaphas was the high priest from about AD 18-36 and was therefore controlling the trial of Jesus and the persecution of the other Christians as recorded in the early chapters of Acts, He was the son-in-law to Annas, John 18:13.

The Roman Army.

During the Jewish festivals the Roman army were strengthened in the Jerusalem area, they would be based at the Castle of Antonia on the edge of Herod’s Temple. Jews were not allowed to be soldiers in this army. The troops were normally arranged as a legion, auxiliary cohorts. These were often further divided into 10 groups of one hundred men, each one having a centurion in charge.

Herod.

Known as "Herod the Tetrach" and had the name "Antipas". He was mainly remembered for putting John the Baptist into prison and then later beheading John to satisfy his evil "wife," Mark 6:14-28, he then had his short contact with Jesus during the trials, Luke 23:7ff.
He was a great builder, the city of Tiberias, on Lake Galilee was one example.
He was originally married to the daughter of Nabataean king Aretas IV, but later divorced her to marry Herodias, the wife of his half brother Herod Philip. It was this marriage that John the Baptist said was illegal, Luke 3:19.

Pilate.

Pontius Pilate was a Roman soldier, probably from an upper class family. He was appointed as procurator of Judea in AD 26 by the Emperor Tiberius. It was unusual, but Pilate took his wife with him, Matt 27:19.
The position of procurator gave Pilate full control of the province, being in charge of the occupation army mainly stationed at Caesarea but with a small section based in the Antonia fortress in Jerusalem. The post gave Pilate full control in law and order, including the death penalty.
It is believed that he appointed and controlled the chief priests, the Temple funds and even the special clothing worn by the high priest on the festival days.
He was disliked by the Jews because he initially demanded the use of the Roman standards(flags) which had a picture of the emperor, this being against the Jewish Religion. He backed down on this rule but records show he was involved in many anti Jewish acts while in the position of procurator of Judea.
By nature he was out to benefit himself in all his actions and decisions, this could explain some of his actions during the trials of Jesus, he was concerned that Tiberius would not hear of a wrong action or failure in his position as procurator.