Thematic Bible: Presiding in the superior court


Thematic Bible



Paul looked straight at the Council and said, "Brothers, with a clear conscience I have done my duty before God up to this very day." Then the high priest Ananias ordered the men standing near him to strike him on the mouth. At this Paul told him, "God will strike you, you whitewashed wall! How can you sit there and judge me according to the Law, and yet in violation of the Law order me to be struck?" read more.
The men standing near him asked, "Do you mean to insult God's high priest?" Paul answered, "I didn't realize, brothers, that he is the high priest. After all, it is written, "You must not speak evil about a ruler of your people.'"

Then the high priests and the elders of the people assembled in the courtyard of the high priest, who was named Caiaphas.

Those who had arrested Jesus took him to Caiaphas, the high priest, where the scribes and the elders had assembled. Peter, however, followed him at a distance as far as the high priest's courtyard. He went inside and sat down with the servants to see how this would end. Meanwhile, the high priests and the whole Council were looking for false testimony against Jesus in order to have him put to death. read more.
But they couldn't find any, even though many false witnesses had come forward. At last two men came forward and stated, "This man said, "I can destroy the sanctuary of God and rebuild it in three days.'" At this, the high priest stood up and asked Jesus, "Don't you have any answer to what these men are testifying against you?"

After the apostles heard this, they went into the Temple at daybreak and began to teach. The high priest and those who were with him arrived, called the Council and all the elders of Israel together, and sent word to the prison to have the men brought in. When the Temple police got there, they did not find them in the prison. They came back and reported, "We found the prison securely locked and the guards standing at the doors, but when we opened them, we found no one inside." read more.
When the commander of the Temple guards and the high priests heard these words, they were utterly at a loss as to what could have happened to them. Then someone came and told them, "Look! The men you put in prison are standing in the Temple and teaching the people!" So the commander of the Temple guards went with his men to bring them back without force, because they were afraid of being stoned to death by the people. When they brought them back, they made them stand before the Council, and the high priest began to question them. He said, "We gave you strict orders not to teach in his name, didn't we? Yet you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and are determined to bring this man's blood on us!"


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