Reference: Sanhedrin or Sanhedrim
Morish
The Greek word is ?????????, 'a sitting together': it is always translated 'council' in the A.V. There appears to be no Hebrew equivalent to the name. The Jews trace its origin to the seventy elders chosen to assist Moses, Nu 11:16-17; but nothing is said of such a council in the time of the kingdom; and it is probable that it was instituted in the time of the Maccabees. The early writers do not say how it was composed; from the N.T. we find it consisted of the chief priests, or heads of the twenty-four courses, the elders, lawyers, and the scribes. It was the highest court of the Jews, acting 'in all causes, and over all persons, ecclesiastical and civil.' Its decisions were binding on Jews everywhere. Its powers were curtailed by Herod and afterwards by the Romans, who prevented the Jews from putting any one to death legally. Joh 18:31. The Lord, Lu 22:66; Peter and John, Ac 4:1-23; 5:17-41; Stephen, Ac 6:12-15; and Paul, Ac 22:30; 23:1-10; were arraigned before the Sanhedrin.
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As soon as it was day, the rulers of the people, the chief priests and the Scribes being assembled, they order'd him to be brought before their council,
Pilate then said to them, take him your selves, and judge him according to your law. but the Jews said to him, it is not lawful for us to put any man to death.
While they were speaking to the people, the priests, the captain of the temple, and the Sadduces came upon them, being displeas'd that they taught the people, and maintain'd the resurrection from the dead in the person of Jesus. read more. and they laid hands on them, and put them in prison, till the next day: for it was now evening. however, many who heard Peter's discourse, believed, to the number of about five thousand people. On the morrow, the rulers, senators, and doctors of the law, then at Jerusalem, assembled, with Annas the high priest, Caiphas, John, and Alexander, and as many as were of the pontifical family. and having caused Peter and John to appear, they asked, by what influence, or by what authority have you done this? then Peter filled with the holy spirit, said to them, Rulers of the people, and senators of Israel, since we are this day to be examined about the cure of a cripple, and by what means he was recovered; be it known to you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you entirely recover'd. this is the stone which was rejected by you builders, but is become the chief of the angle. salvation is not to be had by any other: for there is no other name under heaven given to men whereby we can be saved. Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were illiterate, and of the lower rank of men, they were surpriz'd; but tho' they knew that they had been Jesus's disciples, yet seeing the man who was cured standing with them, they could not tell what to reply. having therefore order'd them to withdraw from the council, they conferred among themselves, saying, what shall we do to these men? for that indeed a notable miracle hath been done by them is manifest to all that dwell in Jerusalem, and we cannot deny it. but to prevent its spreading any further among the people, let us charge them with threats not to speak for the future to any man in that name. so they called them in, and commanded them not to speak or teach upon any account, in the name of Jesus. but Peter and John made answer, do you yourselves judge, whether it be right in the sight of God, to obey you rather than God. for we cannot avoid publishing what we have seen and heard. so when they had further threatned them, they let them go, not finding it practicable to punish them, because of the people, who all glorified God for that which was done. for the man who was so miraculously cured, was above forty years old. As soon as they were discharg'd, they went to their brethren, and reported all that the chief priests and senators had said to them:
Then the high priest, and all that accompanied him, who were of the sect of the Sadducees, being filled with indignation, went and seized on the apostles, and put them in the common prison. read more. but an angel of the Lord opened the prison-doors by night, and having brought them out, said to them, go, stand in the temple, and declare to the people, the whole doctrine of life. when they heard that, they entred into the temple early in the morning, and taught. in the mean time, the high priest, and those of his party, being arrived at the council-chamber, summon'd all the Jewish senate to meet, and sent to the prison to bring the apostles before them. but the officers who went there not finding them in the prison, returned, and made this report, the prison we found shut very secure, and the keepers posted before the doors: but when we had opened it, we found no body within. Upon hearing this, the high priest, the captain of the temple, and the chief priests wonder'd bow this could be. when somebody came and told them, the men whom ye order'd to prison, are standing in the temple, and teaching the people. upon which the captain went with his officers, and brought them, without offering any violence, for fear of being stoned, he and his men by the people. when they had brought them, they set them before the council: and the high priest asked them, saying, did not we strictly command you, not to teach in this name? and yet you have spread your doctrine through Jerusalem, and you endeavour to make us responsible for this man's blood. then Peter and the other apostles made answer, we ought to obey God rather than men. the God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom ye slew, and hanged on a tree. him hath God rais'd by his power to be the author of salvation, by giving repentance to Israel, and the remission of their sins. and we are his witnesses in what we say, and so is the holy spirit, whom God hath given to those that obey him. When they heard that, they were so enraged, they consulted to take away their lives. when a Pharisee, named Gamaliel, a doctor of law, who was respected by all the people, rose up in the council, and moved the apostles might withdraw for some time. and then he said, "ye men of Israel, be cautious how you proceed with regard to these men. for some time ago one Theudas started up, pretending to be something extraordinary, who was join'd indeed by about four hundred men: but he was no sooner put to death, than his followers all dispers'd, and were reduc'd to nothing. after this man, Judas of Galilee appear'd, at the time of the registry, and seduc'd many people: he also perished, and all his followers were dispersed. my opinion therefore is, not to meddle with these men, but to let them go on: for if the design be a human project, it will fall of it self. but if it be from God, you cannot defeat it; perhaps you may be found warring against heaven." To him they agreed: and after the apostles were called in, and scourged, they charged them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and then releas'd them. out they went from the council, full of joy, that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for the name of Jesus.
and they stirred up the people, the senators, and the doctors of law, who came and seiz'd him, and brought him to the council, where they produc'd false witnesses, who said, this man is continually inveighing against the holy place, and against the law. read more. for we have heard him say, that Jesus the Nazarene shall destroy this place, and change the customs which Moses delivered us. and all that sat in the council, looking stedfastly on him, saw an air of majesty in his aspect.
as he was resolv'd to know for certain, the next day, what the Jews laid to his charge, he took off his chains, and summon'd the chief priests, and the council to appear, when Paul was brought, and presented before them.
Then Paul directing himself to the council, thus said, "hitherto I have liv'd strictly conscientious, as God knows." at which the high priest Ananias order'd those that were near him to strike him on the face: read more. which made Paul say, "may God strike thee, thou plaister'd wall: you sit to judge me according to law, and in defiance of the law you order me to be struck!" what, said the standers-by, do you revile the high priest of God? Paul replied, I did not consider, brethren, that he was the high priest. it is indeed written, "thou shalt not speak evil of the ruler of thy people." But as Paul knew that one part of the Sanhedrim were Sadducees, and the other Pharisees, he cried out, my brethren, "I am a Pharisee, the son of a Pharisee, and I am now prosecuted for believing the resurrection of the dead." at these words the Pharisees and the Sadducees were all in confusion, the whole assembly being divided: for the Sadducees maintain, there is neither resurrection, nor angel, or spirit, whereas the Pharisees acknowledge both: the clamour was great, and the Scribes taking part with the Pharisees, grew warm in the debate, and said, "we find no harm in this man; perhaps a spirit or an angel has spoke to him." but the tumult growing worse, the tribune apprehensive that Paul might be torn to pieces among them, order'd detachment to secure him by force of arms, and bring him to the castle.