Now begins the trial phase, although, as Burridge points out, it can't be all that official at this stage because it is Annas doing the questioning. He has no official status to pass judgment. As with the rest of Chapter 18 that we've read so far, Jesus remains firmly in control. He does not answer Annas' questions. Instead he manages to instruct the "retired" high priest in Jewish law. "Why are you asking me?" he asks Annas. "Ask those who heard what I said to them; they know what I said." Again, Burridge:
...there is no need to ask him; there are plenty of witnesses who heard what he said. It was against Jewish law to convict a person on their own testimony. (p. 209)The rule-keepers' fear of Jesus is so great that they do not follow their own rules as they work to get rid of him. They are more concerned about their own power than about justice--not to mention God's Justice.
Not that we would know anything about that in our current society...
Peace,
Jeffri
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