Journey through the darkness of Jerusalem
https://www.bible-history.com/jerusalem/firstcenturyjerusalem_herod_s_palace.html
BibleHistory.com provides linked pointers to the palaces within Jerusalem’s walls to which Jesus was taken for questioning and trial.
John 18:
15 And Simon Peter followed Jesus, and so did another disciple: that disciple was known unto the high priest, and went in with Jesus into the palace of the high priest.
16 But Peter stood at the door without. Then went out that other disciple, which was known unto the high priest, and spake unto her that kept the door, and brought in Peter.
Most of us are familiar with the fulfillment of Jesus’ prophesy to Peter which takes place here ‘before the rooster crows.’
We will not dwell on it, but note the time of night now must be sometime before dawn. This so-called trial begins perhaps around five or six o’clock in the early morning.
Also note that the palace of the High Priest in Upper Jerusalem is somewhat of an estate, similar in design to the Temple grounds with public areas, less-public internal meeting places and also private rooms in this religious ‘palace.’
Many political or controversial decisions would have been decided here, rather than in the more public and accountable setting of the Temple.
Jesus before Annas
19 The high priest questioned Jesus about his disciples and about his teaching.
Perhaps John or another are present, but not under arrest. {SEE John 18:8 & 18:15}
20 “I have spoken openly to the world,” Jesus answered him.
“I have always taught in the synagogue and in the temple, where all the Jews gather, and I haven’t spoken anything in secret.
Why do you question me?
Question those who heard what I told them. Look, they know what I said.”
The testimony before this high mockery of justice is hearsay, perhaps even by witnesses bribed by these rulers just as they had bribed Judas to bring their Messiah to justice.
And now the cruel posturing of political power by the religious rulers begins:
22 And when he had thus spoken, one of the officers which stood by struck Jesus with the palm of his hand, saying, Answerest thou the high priest so?
23 Jesus answered him,
“If I have spoken wrongly, testify of the wrong;
… but if rightly, why do you strike Me?”
You are familiar with the contemporary legal language: Do you swear to tell the TRUTH, the WHOLE TRUTH and NOTHING BUT THE TRUTH?
How does the court of the world’s justice respond?
These ‘religious‘ judges respond as the world does. Those in power know the testimony is FALSE. Even Pilate later knows the entire case against Jesus is FALSE.
Yet the court of darkness fails to acquit the Lamb of all Righteousness.
24 Now Annas had sent him bound unto Caiaphas the high priest.
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