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.
See Verses Found in Dictionary
And when it was day, the elders of the people and the chief priests and the scribes came together,
Then said Pilate to them, Take ye him, and judge him according to your law. The Jews said to him, It is not lawful for us to put any man to death:
And as they were speaking to the people, the priests, and the captain of the temple, and the Saducees came upon them, Being grieved that they had healed the lame man, and preached thro' Jesus the resurrection from the dead. read more. And they laid hands on them, and put them in hold till the next day: for it was now evening. But many of them who had heard the word, believed. And the number of the men was about five thousand. And on the morrow were gathered together at Jerusalem their rulers, and elders, and scribes, And Annas the high-priest, and Caiaphas, and John, and Alexander, and as many as were of the kindred of the high-priest. And having set them in the midst, they asked, By what power, or by what name, have ye done this? Then Peter filled with the Holy Ghost, said to them, Ye rulers of the people, and elders of Israel, If we are examined this day, of the benefit done to the impotent man, by what means he is healed, Be it known to you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God hath raised from the dead, by him doth this man stand before you whole. This is the stone which was set at nought by you builders, which is become the head of the corner. And there is salvation in no other; for there is no other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved. And seeing the boldness of Peter and John, and understanding that they were illiterate and uneducated men, they marvelled, and took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus. And beholding the man who had been healed, standing with them, they had nothing to say against it. But having ordered them to go out of the council, they conferred among themselves, saying, What shall we do to these men? For that indeed a signal miracle hath been wrought by them, is manifest to all that dwell at Jerusalem, and we cannot deny it. Yet that it spread no farther among the people, let us severely threaten them, that they speak no more to any man in this name. And having called them, they charged them, Not to speak at all, nor teach in the name of Jesus. But Peter and John answering, said to them, Whether it be righteous in the sight of God, to obey you rather than God, judge ye. For we cannot but speak the things, which we have seen and heard. And having threatened them again, they let them go, finding nothing how they might punish them, because of the people; for they all glorified God for that which was done. For the man on whom this miracle of healing had been wrought, was above forty years old. And being let go, they went to their own company, and related all that the chief priests and elders had said to them.
But the high priest arising, and all that were with him, which was the sect of the Saducees, were filled with zeal, And laid their hands on the apostles, and put them into the common prison. read more. But an angel of the Lord opened the prison-doors, by night, and bringing them forth, said, Go, stand and speak in the temple the words of this life. And hearing this, they went into the temple early in the morning and taught. But the high priest being come, and they that were with him, called together the council, even the whole senate of the children of Israel, and sent to the prison, to have them brought, But when the officers came, they found them not in the prison; and returning they said, Truly we found the prison shut with all safety, and the keepers standing before the doors; but having opened them, we found no man within. When the high priest, and the captain of the temple, and the chief priests heard these things, they doubted of them, what this should be? Then came one and told them, Behold, the men whom ye put in prison, are standing in the temple, and teaching the people. Then the captain going with the officers brought them, not with violence, for they feared the people, lest they should be stoned. And having brought them, they set them before the council. And the high priest asked them, Did not we strictly command you, Not to teach in this name? And lo, ye have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and would bring the blood of this man upon us. Then Peter and the other apostles answering said, We ought to obey God rather than man. The God of our fathers hath raised up Jesus, whom ye slew, hanging him on a tree. Him hath God exalted, a Prince and a Saviour with his right-hand, to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins. And we are witnesses of these things, and also the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey him. When they heard this, they gnashed their teeth, and took counsel to slay them. But a certain Pharisee, named Gamaliel, a doctor of the law, had in honour by all the people, rising up in the council, ordered, to put the apostles out a little space: And said to them, Ye men of Israel, take heed to yourselves, what ye are about to do, touching these men. For before these days rose up Theudas, boasting himself to be somebody, to whom was joined a number of men, about four hundred, who was slain, and all who hearkened to him were scattered and came to nothing. After this man rose up Judas of Galilee, in the days of the inrolment, and drew away much people after him; he also perished, and all who had hearkened to him were dispersed. And now I say to you, Refrain from these men, and let them alone; for if this counsel or this work be of men, it will come to nought. But if it be of God, ye cannot overthrow it, and take heed lest ye be found even fighting against God. And to him they agreed. And having called the apostles, and scourged them, they charged them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name.
And they stirred up the people, and the elders, and the scribes, and coming upon him, dragged him away, and brought him to the council, And set up false witnesses who said, This man ceaseth not to speak words against the holy place and the law. read more. For we have heard him say, That Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place, and change the rites which Moses delivered us. And all that were sitting in the council, looking stedfastly on him, saw his face, as the face of an angel.
And on the morrow, desiring to know the certainty, what he was accused of by the Jews, he loosed him from his bonds, and commanded the chief priests and all the council to come, and bringing Paul down, set him before them.
And Paul earnestly beholding the council, said, Men and brethren, I have lived in all good conscience before God till this day. And Ananias the high priest commanded them that stood by, to smite him on the mouth. read more. Then said Paul to him, God is about to smite thee, thou whited wall. For sittest thou to judge me according to the law, and commandest me to be smitten contrary to the law? But they that stood by said, Revilest thou God's high priest? Then said Paul, I was not aware, brethren, that it was the high priest; for it is written, Thou shalt not revile the ruler of thy people. But Paul perceiving, that the one part were Saducees, and the other Pharisees, cried out in the council, Men and brethren, I am a Pharisee, the son of a Pharisee; for the hope of the resurrection of the dead am I called in question. And when he had said this, there arose a contention between the Pharisees and the Saducees: and the multitude was divided. For the Saducees say, there is no resurrection, neither angel nor spirit; but the Pharisees confess both. And there was a great clamour: and the scribes of the Pharisees side arising, contended, saying, We find no evil in this man; but if a spirit or an angel hath spoken to him, let us not fight against God. And as a great disturbance arose, the tribune fearing lest Paul should be torn in pieces by them, commanded the soldiers to go down, and take him by force from among them, and bring him into the castle.