The trial before the Sanhedrin

“On the next day, their rulers and elders and scribes were gathered together in Jerusalem.” (1) In the Acts of the Apostles, there are four instances of trials before the Sanhedrin: (a) Here, Peter and John are being put on trial. (b) In Acts 5:27, all the apostles are put on trial. (c) In Acts 6:12, Stephen, and (d) In Acts 22:30, Paul is put on trial. (2) The Sanhedrin, established after the return from the Babylonian Exile, was the supreme court and legislative body of Israel. It consisted of 71 members, including the high priest. (3) At that time, the authority of the Sanhedrin was subject to the governance of the Roman Empire and the Herodian dynasty. (The Roman Empire granted significant authority to the Sanhedrin, but it did not allow them to carry out capital punishment. The sole exception was if a Gentile crossed the dividing wall and entered the Court of Women). (4) Three groups of people that made up the Sanhedrin are mentioned: (a) The leaders of the people: the 24 chief priests. (b) The elders: prominent members of the Pharisees. (c) The scribes: experts in the Oral Law (both Pharisees and Sadducees). They were strongly opposed to the teachings of Jesus. (5) A quorum of at least 23 members was required to convene a court session. It is not necessary to assume that all 71 members were present at this trial.

By what power?

“And Annas the high priest was there, and Caiaphas and John and Alexander, and all who were of high-priestly descent.” (1) The high priest held the highest authority in Israel. (a) For that year, Caiaphas was the high priest, but Annas was the power behind the throne (the preliminary hearing of Jesus was conducted by Annas). (b) Annas was high priest from 6 BC to 15 AD (for 21 years). However, he continued to wield influence for about 50 years after leaving office. His five sons, one grandson, and one son-in-law all became high priests. (c) The Pharisees referred to the commercial activities in the temple as “the bazaar of Annas’ sons.” (2) The names John and Alexander appear, but there is no further information about them elsewhere. (3) Other members of the high priest’s family were also present. “When they had placed them in the center, they began to inquire, ‘By what power, or in what name, have you done this?’” (1) With these words, the trial began. The actions of Peter and John were seen as a challenge to authority, specifically, a challenge to the Sanhedrin. (2) This trial gave Peter his first opportunity to address the Jewish leaders directly. Remember, even in trials, there is a divine plan at work.