Sanhedrin

Pronunciation: san-HEE-drehn

Occurrences: 9

First Reference: Yeshua 1:25

And there came from Jerusalem, Gamaliel, a ruler of the Sanhedrin; and there was with him certain others also, even Nicodemus of the house of Hyrcanus, and Joseph of Arimathea.

See: Gamaliel, Joseph of Arimathea, Nicodemus, Sadducees

Summary: In ancient Israel, the Sanhedrin represented the supreme Jewish High Court of justice that could exercise both civil and criminal jurisdiction. The council was comprised of rabbis, elders, scribes and lawyers, and included both Pharisees and Sadducees. Scripture identifies Gamaliel as a ruler of the Sanhedrin during the days of John the Baptizer and Yeshua (Y:1:25). Other prominent members of the Sanhedrin included Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus, who served as the leading Pharisee among the council (Y:27:44). The influence of both Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus led many of the Sanhedrin to believe in Yeshua. However, there were also members of the Sanhedrin, primarily among the Sadducees, who were opposed to Yeshua and his ministry.

Caiaphas, the High Priest and leader of the Sadducee party, was often at odds with the Sanhedrin and strove to either corrupt its members or secretly by-pass their authority in his efforts to have Yeshua assassinated (Y:21:22; Y:28:99-100). During his campaign against Yeshua, Caiaphas rallied support from certain members of the Sanhedrin, which members presented false accusations against Yeshua during his illegal trial (Y:46:46-47). Hearing that Yeshua had been arrested and secretly put on trial, Nicodemus went with fifteen others of the Sanhedrin to the house of Caiaphas, hoping to deter the High Priest and defend Yeshua. But the group was too late, as Yeshua had already been delivered to Pilate through the “treachery and deceit” of Caiaphas (Y:47:15-16). To protect himself and ensure the death of Yeshua, Caiaphas ordered his guards to imprison Nicodemus and murder many of the fifteen Sanhedrin members who had come to defend Yeshua. Hoping to further sway Pilate towards convicting Yeshua, Caiaphas blamed the murders on Yeshua, accusing him of ordering his disciples to kill the council members (Y:47:17).

Notes/References:

And Nicodemus, when he read these things, went and told many which were of the Sanhedrin concerning all which Joseph reported concerning Yeshua.

And there were many which believed the words which Joseph wrote, and together did they elect that Nicodemus should go and speak privily with the Master, lest they which ruled in the temple take some measure against them.

Yeshua 27:52-53

Now when it was but three days before the feast of the Passover, there assembled secretly together in the house of Caiaphas, the chief priests and elders; but many which were of the Pharisees would not consent;

For many which were of the Sanhedrin believed in Yeshua and would not permit that any evil should fall upon him.

But they which were of the Sadducees and the scribes consulted whereby they might take Yeshua by subtlety and put him to death according to the law.

Yeshua 44:45-47

Now there came unto Caiaphas’ house, Nicodemus and fifteen others which were of the Sanhedrin to contend against the High Priest for Yeshua’s sake.

But Caiaphas, through treachery and deceit, delivered the Master unto Pilate; and calling forth the guard afterward, they did set themselves upon Nicodemus, and many did they kill and Nicodemus did they cast into prison.

And Caiaphas sent word unto Pilate, saying: “Behold, this man has proclaimed himself king over all Israel, and against Rome has he set all his disciples, evensomuch that they have this night killed many which were of the Sanhedrin.”

Yeshua 47:15-17

Sanctuary

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