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salem。 Should there be a week's delay； the excitement would abate； and a reaction would be likely to set in。 The better part of the people would be aroused in Christ's favor； many would come forward with testimony in His vindication； bringing to light the mighty works He had done。 This would excite popular indignation against the Sanhedrin。 Their proceedings would be condemned； and Jesus would be set free； to receive new homage from the multitudes。 The priests and rulers therefore determined that before their purpose could become known； Jesus should be delivered into the hands of the Romans。
But first of all； an accusation was to be found。 They had gained nothing as yet。 Annas ordered Jesus to be taken to Caiaphas。 Caiaphas belonged to the Sadducees； some of whom were now the most desperate enemies of Jesus。 He himself； though wanting in force of character； was fully as severe； heartless； and unscrupulous as was Annas。 He would leave no means untried to destroy Jesus。 It was now early morning； and very dark； by the light of torches and lanterns the armed band with their prisoner proceeded to the high priest's palace。 Here； while the members of the Sanhedrin were coming together； Annas and Caiaphas again questioned Jesus； but without success。
When the council had assembled in the judgment hall； Caiaphas took his seat as presiding officer。 On either side were the judges； and those specially interested in the trial。 The Roman soldiers were stationed on
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the platform below the throne。 At the foot of the throne stood Jesus。 Upon Him the gaze of the whole multitude was fixed。 The excitement was intense。 Of all the throng He alone was calm and serene。 The very atmosphere surrounding Him seemed pervaded by a holy influence。
Caiaphas had regarded Jesus as his rival。 The eagerness of the people to hear the Saviour； and their apparent readiness to accept His teachings； had aroused the bitter jealousy of the high priest。 But as Caiaphas now looked upon the prisoner； he was struck with admiration for His noble and dignified bearing。 A conviction came over him that this Man was akin to God。 The next instant he scornfully banished the thought。 Immediately
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his voice was heard in sneering； haughty tones demanding that Jesus work one of His mighty miracles before them。 But his words fell upon the Saviour's ears as though He heard them not。 The people compared the excited and malignant deportment of Annas and Caiaphas with the calm； majestic bearing of Jesus。 Even in the minds of that hardened multitude arose the question； Is this man of godlike presence to be condemned as a criminal？
Caiaphas； perceiving the influence that was obtaining； hastened the trial。 The enemies of Jesus were in great perplexity。 They were bent on securing His condemnation； but how to accomplish this they knew not。 The members of the council were divided between the Pharisees and the Sadducees。 There was bitter animosity and controversy between them； certain disputed points they dared not approach for fear of a quarrel。 With a few words Jesus could have excited their prejudices against each other； and thus have averted their wrath from Himself。 Caiaphas knew this； and he wished to avoid stirring up a contention。 There were plenty of witnesses to prove that Christ had denounced the priests and scribes； that He had called them hypocrites and murderers； but this testimony it was not expedient to bring forward。 The Sadducees in their sharp contentions with the Pharisees had used to them similar language。 And such testimony would have no weight with the Romans； who were themselves disgusted with the pretensions of the Pharisees。 There was abundant evidence that Jesus had disregarded the traditions of the Jews； and had spoken irreverently of many of their ordinances； but in regard to tradition the Pharisees and Sadducees were at swords' points； and this evidence also would have no weight with the Romans。 Christ's enemies dared not accuse Him of Sabbathbreaking； lest an examination should reveal the character of His work。 If His miracles of healing were brought to light； the very object of the priests would be defeated。
False witnesses had been bribed to accuse Jesus of inciting rebellion and seeking to establish a separate government。 But their testimony proved to be vague and contradictory。 Under examination they falsified their own statements。
Early in His ministry Christ had said； 〃Destroy this temple； and in three days I will raise it up。〃 In the figurative language of prophecy； He had thus foretold His own death and resurrection。 〃He spake of the temple of His body。〃 John 2：19； 21。 These words the Jews had understood in a literal sense； as referring to the temple at Jerusalem。 Of all that Christ had said； the priests could find nothing to use against Him
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save this。 By misstating these words they hoped to gain an advantage。 The Romans had engaged in rebuilding and embellishing the temple； and they took great pride in it； any contempt shown to it would be sure to excite their indignation。 Here Romans and Jews； Pharisees and Sadducees； could meet； for all held the temple in great veneration。 On this point two witnesses were found whose testimony was not so contradictory as that of the others had been。 One of them； who had been bribed to accuse Jesus； declared； 〃This fellow said； I am able to destroy the temple of God； and to build it in three days。〃 Thus Christ's words were misstated。 If they had been reported exactly as He spoke them； they would not have secured His condemnation even by the Sanhedrin。 Had Jesus been a mere man； as the Jews claimed； His declaration would only have indicated an unreasonable； boastful spirit； but could not have been construed into blasphemy。 Even as misrepresented by the false witnesses； His words contained nothing which would be regarded by the Romans as a crime worthy of death。
Patiently Jesus listened to the conflicting testimonies。 No word did He utter in self…defense。 At last His accusers were entangled； confused； and maddened。 The trial was making no headway； it seemed that their plottings were to fail。 Caiaphas was desperate。 One last resort remained； Christ must be forced to condemn Himself。 The high priest started from the judgment seat； his face contorted with passion； his voice and demeanor plainly indicating that were it in his power he would strike down the prisoner before him。 〃Answerest Thou nothing？〃 he exclaimed； 〃what is it which these witness against Thee？〃
Jesus held His peace。 〃He was oppressed； and He was afflicted； yet He opened not His mouth： He is brought as a lamb to the slaughter； and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb； so He openeth not His mouth。〃 Isaiah 53：7。
At last； Caiaphas； raising his right hand toward heaven； addressed Jesus in the form of a solemn oath： 〃I adjure Thee by the living God； that Thou tell us whether Thou be the Christ； the Son of God。〃
To this appeal Christ could not remain silent。 There was a time to be silent； and a time to speak。 He had not spoken until directly questioned。 He knew that to answer now would make His death certain。 But the appeal was made by the high