Season Five Episode Six - A Fraudulent Trial

[Dr. Shane]

The wheels are in motion that lead to the execution of Jesus. Jesus knows it. It grieves Him but He does nothing to stop it. In fact, He seems to do the opposite. Nicodemus plays a larger role in this episode. The character of Nicodemus in the episode is said to have returned to Jerusalem from a long stay in Bethel where he was teaching students. He was "out of the loop" about the ministry of Jesus since their evening meeting in Season One. Bethel is only about fifteen miles from Jerusalem. Contrast that with Capernaum which was about ninety miles from Jerusalem. The writers give Nicodemus' time in Bethel as a reason why he was unaware of Jesus' following or teaching since their meeting about three years prior.

Nicodemus is first shocked to hear John the Baptist was executed. He is also surprised to hear that Jesus had gained such a large following. He sends a servant to bring Mary Magdalene to his home. He questioned her and also expressed concern that Jesus was making enemies and putting Himself in danger. In his study, Nicodemus had notes tacked onto a wall like one would see in a criminal detective movie where clues are pasted and linked together. At the end of the episode, Nicodemus is interrupted by Yosef. Yosef details the plans of the high priest Caiaphas. Nicodemus comments how Caiaphas doesn't have the authority to do as Yosef suggests is happening.

It seems the writers of The Chosen are revealing the injustice of Christ's crucifixion. This has been a topic among Christians for centuries.

1. Jesus was arrested illegally. Jesus was arrested by the temple guard which did not have authority outside of the temple. The chief priests and elders were involved in His arrest which would later become the judges of His case. There was no charges presented when He was arrested. There was no warrant for his arrest.

2. Jesus' trial by the high priest was at night. The law only allowed such proceeding to happen during the day.

3. The trial of Jesus was held on the day before a Jewish holiday. Jewish law did not allow for this. The day before a holiday was like the preparation day before the Sabbath. It was to be dedicated toward preparation. Trials that involve a conviction were required by law to run for at least two days. Thus, such a trial could not begin on the preparation since time would not be allowed to conclude it since no hearing would happen on the Sabbath day or Jewish holiday.

4. The trial of Jesus lasted only one day. As mentioned in point number three (above), when a conviction occurred, the trial was required to take at least two days.

5. The witnesses against Jesus lied. They misquoted what Jesus said about destroying and rebuilding the temple. They added words that Jesus had not said.

6. Jesus was tried on the charge of threatening to tear down the temple but convicted on the charge of blasphemy. 

7. The conviction of Jesus by the Sanhedrin was illegal because not all the members were present. Specifically, those that supported Jesus were not there.

8. The trial took place in the house of Caiaphas, the high priest. It was not in a court of law. The law stated that the death sentence could only be pronounced when the Sanhedrin was gathered in their appointed place. The court building was closed until sunrise.

10. Most of the Sanhedrin members present were disqualified from voting. Many were appointed due to bribes or family relationships.

11. When presenting the case to Pilate, they illegally changed the charges from blasphemy to treason.

We see in this episode that Nicodemus is not only coming to the realization that Jesus is the Messiah but also the realization that the Messiah isn't going to fulfil the role that Jewish leaders had believed and taught the Messiah would. Going back to their night-time visit in Season One, Jesus told Nicodemus He wasn't here to deal with Rome. He was here to deal with sin.

There are fraudulent trials today. There are people that do no receive due process. How should the injustice of Jesus trial cause us to look at fraudulent trials today that deny due process?