Starting with the “Anointing” of JESUS, imagine the scene. Next, Jesus goes with His disciples to the UPPER ROOM. From there, He goes to GETHSEMANE’S GLOOM! Follow closely, because next is the KANGAROO COURT BUFFOONS.

1. The KANGAROO COURT BUFFOONS! Have you ever looked into the “mock trial” of Jesus Christ? If so, you’ve seen how it was a “done deal”! From false accusations to guilty deliberations, it was doomed from the start.

Because of the timing of the trials, namely the preparation for the Passover, it was hastily carried out. Besides that, both the Roman law and the Jewish law collided in the process. The Jewish trial consisted of somewhat of an informal examination. This was done before Annas (John 18:12–23). It included a hearing before the High Priest Caiaphas along with the Sanhedrin.

Next, the formal trial began early in the morning, which Jesus was sent to Pilate. Some suggest that the Jewish trial verdict could not have sentenced Jesus to death; therefore, He was sent to be sentenced before the Roman court headed by Pilate. Though this is not exhaustive, here were the main charges.

A. Blasphemy against God! (Matt. 26:59–66) – “Now the chief priests, and elders, and all the council, sought false witness against Jesus, to put him to death; but found none: yea, though many false witnesses came, yet found they none. At the last came two false witnesses, and said, This fellow said, I am able to destroy the temple of God, and to build it in three days. And the high priest arose, and said unto him, Answerest thou nothing? what is it which these witness against thee? But Jesus held his peace. And the high priest answered and said unto him, I adjure thee by the living God, that thou tell us whether thou be the Christ, the Son of God. Jesus saith unto him, Thou hast said: nevertheless I say unto you, Hereafter shall ye see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven. Then the high priest rent his clothes, saying, He hath spoken blasphemy; what further need have we of witnesses? behold, now ye have heard his blasphemy. What think ye? They answered and said, He is guilty of death.”

Matthew’s description of the mock trial specifies the false accusations against Jesus even though He was God!

C. Accused of being a Malefactor (John 18:29–31) – “Then led they Jesus from Caiaphas unto the hall of judgment: and it was early; and they themselves went not into the judgment hall, lest they should be defiled; but that they might eat the passover. Pilate then went out unto them, and said, What accusation bring ye against this man?” (John 18:30) “They answered and said unto him, If he were not a malefactor, we would not have delivered him up unto thee.”

Please do not overlook the word “malefactor.” Why? Because it perhaps explains some of the charges brought against Jesus. The word “malefactor” is κακός, which means bad, evil, wicked, and even harmful. Bottom line: There are those who claim Jesus was a magician by practicing sorcery; i.e., raising Lazarus from the dead.

It was a DONE DEAL! Cut and dried. From being accused of blasphemy against God, to treason against Caesar, and finally to being called a malefactor, the execution was in place. But be reminded, this was all in GOD’S plan (Phil 2:6–11). So whereas it looks like EVIL will WIN, ultimately JESUS WINS as the PASSION WEEK unfolds and the SOVEREIGNTY of God is revealed!