1. The Serial Gospel The King of Jews on Trial

2. 1 Cor 15:1-4 (ESV) Now I would remind you, brothers, of the gospel I preached to you, which you received, in which you stand, 2 and by which you are being saved, if you hold fast to the word I preached to you—unless you believed in vain. 3 For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, 4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures, What is the gospel that Paul preached? What is the gospel that the Corinthians received? What is the gospel that was saving the Corinthians? What is the gospel that the Corinthians held fast?

3. 1 Cor 15:1-4 (ESV) Now I would remind you, brothers, of the gospel I preached to you, which you received, in which you stand, 2 and by which you are being saved, if you hold fast to the word I preached to you—unless you believed in vain. 3 For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, 4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures, This is the gospel.

4. Overview of the gospel - Judas betrayed Jesus. - Jesus was seized by the chief priests and scribes. - The chief priests and scribe declare Him guilty of calling Himself the Son of God. - He is handed over the Pilate and the civil authority for calling Himself King. - Pilate doesn’t find Him guilty, but he is afraid of the Jews calling for Him to be crucified. - Jesus is crucified on Golgotha. - Jesus’ body is buried in a tomb to confirm His death. - On the third day, the tomb is empty. - Jesus appears “in the flesh” to over 500 people to confirm His resurrection from the dead. - Jesus ascends to heaven.

5. John 11:45-46 (ESV) Many of the Jews therefore, who had come with Mary and had seen what he did, believed in him, 46 but some of them went to the Pharisees and told them what Jesus had done. At the end of the account of the raising of Lazarus: What did many of the Jews believe about Jesus? Why do you think they went to tell the Pharisees?

6. John 11:47-48 (ESV) So the chief priests and the Pharisees gathered the council and said, “What are we to do? For this man performs many signs. 48 If we let him go on like this, everyone will believe in him, and the Romans will come and take away both our place and our nation.” How did the enemies of Jesus respond to the raising of Lazarus? Did they believe that Jesus had raised Lazarus from the dead? What was their fear?

7. John 11:49-53 (ESV) But one of them, Caiaphas, who was high priest that year, said to them, “You know nothing at all. 50 Nor do you understand that it is better for you that one man should die for the people, not that the whole nation should perish.” 51 He did not say this of his own accord, but being high priest that year he prophesied that Jesus would die for the nation, 52 and not for the nation only, but also to gather into one the children of God who are scattered abroad. 53 So from that day on they made plans to put him to death. Who was Caiaphas? What was his prophecy? How did his prophecy affect the rest of the council?

8. Matt 26:63 (ESV) And the high priest said to him, “I adjure you by the living God, tell us if you are the Christ, the Son of God.” Mark 14:61 (ESV) Again the high priest asked him, “Are you the Christ, the Son of the Blessed?” During the trial before Caiaphas and the council, what did they want Jesus to admit? How do you think the crowd reacted to this question?

9. Matt 26:64 (ESV) Jesus said to him, “You have said so. But I tell you, from now on you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power and coming on the clouds of heaven.” Mark 14:62 (ESV) And Jesus said, “I am, and you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power, and coming with the clouds of heaven.” What was Jesus’ answer? How do you think the crowd reacted to His answer?

10. Matt 26:65-66 (ESV) Then the high priest tore his robes and said, “He has uttered blasphemy. What further witnesses do we need? You have now heard his blasphemy. 66 What is your judgment?” They answered, “He deserves death.” Mark 14:63-64 (ESV) And the high priest tore his garments and said, “What further witnesses do we need? 64 You have heard his blasphemy. What is your decision?” And they all condemned him as deserving death. What was the reaction of Caiaphas?

11. Matt 26:65-66 (ESV) Then the high priest tore his robes and said, “He has uttered blasphemy. What further witnesses do we need? You have now heard his blasphemy. 66 What is your judgment?” They answered, “He deserves death.” Mark 14:63-64 (ESV) And the high priest tore his garments and said, “What further witnesses do we need? 64 You have heard his blasphemy. What is your decision?” And they all condemned him as deserving death. What was the reaction of Caiaphas? What is blasphemy?

12. Matt 26:65-66 (ESV) Then the high priest tore his robes and said, “He has uttered blasphemy. What further witnesses do we need? You have now heard his blasphemy. 66 What is your judgment?” They answered, “He deserves death.” Mark 14:63-64 (ESV) And the high priest tore his garments and said, “What further witnesses do we need? 64 You have heard his blasphemy. What is your decision?” And they all condemned him as deserving death. What was the reaction of Caiaphas? What is blasphemy? Blasphemy is an attitude of disrespect that finds expression in an act directed against the character of God. (Holman Bible Dictionary)

13. Matt 26:65-66 (ESV) Then the high priest tore his robes and said, “He has uttered blasphemy. What further witnesses do we need? You have now heard his blasphemy. 66 What is your judgment?” They answered, “He deserves death.” What is blasphemy? If you're saying something bad about a god, or taking the Lord's name in vain, or questioning a religious institution in any way, you could be accused of blasphemy — insulting something sacred. You can use this word in a lot of other ways too. At a meeting of conservatives, a liberal idea could be considered blasphemy (and vice versa). You might even jokingly cry "Blasphemy!" if a friend said your favorite ice cream flavor stinks. (vocabulary.com)

14. Matt 26:65-66 (ESV) Then the high priest tore his robes and said, “He has uttered blasphemy. What further witnesses do we need? You have now heard his blasphemy. 66 What is your judgment?” They answered, “He deserves death.” Mark 14:63-64 (ESV) And the high priest tore his garments and said, “What further witnesses do we need? 64 You have heard his blasphemy. What is your decision?” And they all condemned him as deserving death. What was the judgment of the council?

15. Lev 24:13-16(ESV) Then the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, 14 “Bring out of the camp the one who cursed, and let all who heard him lay their hands on his head, and let all the congregation stone him. 15 And speak to the people of Israel, saying, Whoever curses his God shall bear his sin. 16 Whoever blasphemes the name of the Lord shall surely be put to death. All the congregation shall stone him. The sojourner as well as the native, when he blasphemes the Name, shall be put to death. Under Jewish law, what was the punishment for blasphemy?

16. Matt 27:1-2 (ESV) When morning came, all the chief priests and the elders of the people took counsel against Jesus to put him to death. 2 And they bound him and led him away and delivered him over to Pilate the governor. Mark 15:1 (ESV) And as soon as it was morning, the chief priests held a consultation with the elders and scribes and the whole council. And they bound Jesus and led him away and delivered him over to Pilate. Why do you think they didn’t just go ahead and kill him?

17. Roman Trial (Part 1)

18. John 18:28 (ESV) Then they led Jesus from the house of Caiaphas to the governor's headquarters. It was early morning. They themselves did not enter the governor's headquarters, so that they would not be defiled, but could eat the Passover. According to the Talmud and Mishnah (Jewish legal commentaries), the trial by the Sanhedrin was illegally held at night and on the eve of a sabbath and festival.

19. John 18:28 (ESV) Then they led Jesus from the house of Caiaphas to the governor's headquarters. It was early morning. They themselves did not enter the governor's headquarters, so that they would not be defiled, but could eat the Passover. The Sanhedrin has already broken the commandment “thou shalt not bear false witness” and are attempting to break “thou shall not kill”.

20. John 18:28 (ESV) Then they led Jesus from the house of Caiaphas to the governor's headquarters. It was early morning. They themselves did not enter the governor's headquarters, so that they would not be defiled, but could eat the Passover. Why are they so worried about not defiling themselves by stepping foot in the house of a Gentile on the Day of Preparation?

21. John 18:29-30 (ESV) So Pilate went outside to them and said, “What accusation do you bring against this man?” 30 They answered him, “If this man were not doing evil, we would not have delivered him over to you.” What accusation do they bring against Jesus?

22. John 18:29-30 (ESV) So Pilate went outside to them and said, “What accusation do you bring against this man?” 30 They answered him, “If this man were not doing evil, we would not have delivered him over to you.” What accusation do they bring against Jesus? Why didn’t they just spit out “blasphemy” or “He calls Himself the Son of God”?

23. John 18:31 (ESV) Pilate said to them, “Take him yourselves and judge him by your own law.” The Jews said to him, “It is not lawful for us to put anyone to death.” What is Pilate’s response to the Sanhedrin avoiding naming a charge against Jesus?

24. John 18:31 (ESV) Pilate said to them, “Take him yourselves and judge him by your own law.” The Jews said to him, “It is not lawful for us to put anyone to death.” What is Pilate’s response to the Sanhedrin avoiding naming a charge against Jesus? What is the retort of the Sanhedrin?

25. John 18:31 (ESV) Pilate said to them, “Take him yourselves and judge him by your own law.” The Jews said to him, “It is not lawful for us to put anyone to death.” What is Pilate’s response to the Sanhedrin avoiding naming a charge against Jesus? What is the retort of the Sanhedrin? Is it true?

26. John 18:31 (ESV) Pilate said to them, “Take him yourselves and judge him by your own law.” The Jews said to him, “It is not lawful for us to put anyone to death.” What is Pilate’s response to the Sanhedrin avoiding naming a charge against Jesus? What is the retort of the Sanhedrin? Is it true? John Lightfoot’s Commentary on the Gospels says that the Romans had taken away their power to try capital matters, but the Sanhedrin had already given it up because it looked bad to sentence a fellow Jew to death.

27. John 18:31 (ESV) Pilate said to them, “Take him yourselves and judge him by your own law.” The Jews said to him, “It is not lawful for us to put anyone to death.” What is Pilate’s response to the Sanhedrin avoiding naming a charge against Jesus? What is the retort of the Sanhedrin? Is it true? What about the stoning of Stephen (Acts 6:8-7:60)?

28. Luke 23:2 (ESV) And they began to accuse him, saying, “We found this man misleading our nation and forbidding us to give tribute to Caesar, and saying that he himself is Christ, a king.” Luke’s account has the Sanhedrin bringing 3 charges. What were they?

29. Luke 23:2 (ESV) And they began to accuse him, saying, “We found this man misleading our nation and forbidding us to give tribute to Caesar, and saying that he himself is Christ, a king.” Luke’s account has the Sanhedrin bringing 3 charges. What were they? Sedition is the illegal act of inciting people to resist or rebel against the government in power. It's what the southern states did at the start of the Civil War. Sedition is the rebellious talk and encouragement that might lead to a mutiny, and can be charged as a crime, like treason. When should the expression of one's activism be considered "free speech" and when should it be considered sedition? (vocabulary.com)

30. Luke 23:3 (ESV) And Pilate asked him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” And he answered him, “You have said so.” What was Pilate’s response to the Sanhedrin’s charges against Jesus?

31. Luke 23:3 (ESV) And Pilate asked him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” And he answered him, “You have said so.” What was Pilate’s response to the Sanhedrin’s charges against Jesus? Why do you think Pilate asked about that charge rather than the other two? Luke 23:2 (ESV) And they began to accuse him, saying, “We found this man misleading our nation and forbidding us to give tribute to Caesar, and saying that he himself is Christ, a king.”

32. Luke 23:3 (ESV) And Pilate asked him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” And he answered him, “You have said so.” How did Jesus answer Pilate’s question?

33. Luke 23:3 (ESV) And Pilate asked him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” And he answered him, “You have said so.” How did Jesus answer Pilate’s question? Confession, or sarcasm?

34. Luke 23:4 (ESV) Then Pilate said to the chief priests and the crowds, “I find no guilt in this man.” What was Pilate’s decision?

35. Luke 23:5 (ESV) But they were urgent, saying, “He stirs up the people, teaching throughout all Judea, from Galilee even to this place.” After Pilate again denied finding guilt in Jesus, how did the Sanhedrin respond to him?

37. Roman Trial (Part 2)

38. Luke 23:6-7 (ESV) When Pilate heard this, he asked whether the man was a Galilean. 7 And when he learned that he belonged to Herod's jurisdiction, he sent him over to Herod, who was himself in Jerusalem at that time. This phase of the Roman trial only appears in the gospel account of Luke. Why do you think Pilate would send Jesus and the Sanhedrin over to Herod?

39. Luke 23:8 (ESV) When Herod saw Jesus, he was very glad, for he had long desired to see him, because he had heard about him, and he was hoping to see some sign done by him. Why do you think Pilate would send Jesus and the Sanhedrin over to Herod? Why do you think Herod wanted to see Jesus?

40. Luke 23:9-11 (ESV) So he questioned him at some length, but he made no answer. 10 The chief priests and the scribes stood by, vehemently accusing him. 11 And Herod with his soldiers treated him with contempt and mocked him. How was Jesus treated at Herod’s?

41. Luke 23:11-12 (ESV) Then, arraying him in splendid clothing, he sent him back to Pilate. 12 And Herod and Pilate became friends with each other that very day, for before this they had been at enmity with each other. Why did Herod dress Jesus up before sending Him back to Pilate?

42. Luke 23:11-12 (ESV) Then, arraying him in splendid clothing, he sent him back to Pilate. 12 And Herod and Pilate became friends with each other that very day, for before this they had been at enmity with each other. Why did Herod dress Jesus up before sending Him back to Pilate? What was the real reason that Pilate sent Jesus to Herod? How did that work out?

43. Roman Trial (Part 3)

44. John 18:33-35 (ESV) So Pilate entered his headquarters again and called Jesus and said to him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” 34 Jesus answered, “Do you say this of your own accord, or did others say it to you about me?” 35 Pilate answered, “Am I a Jew? Your own nation and the chief priests have delivered you over to me. What have you done?” *

45. John 18:36-38 (ESV) Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would have been fighting, that I might not be delivered over to the Jews. But my kingdom is not from the world.” 37 Then Pilate said to him, “So you are a king?” Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. For this purpose I was born and for this purpose I have come into the world—to bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice.” 38 Pilate said to him, “What is truth?” After he had said this, he went back outside to the Jews and told them, “I find no guilt in him. *

46. Luke 23:13-16 (ESV) Pilate then called together the chief priests and the rulers and the people, 14 and said to them, “You brought me this man as one who was misleading the people. And after examining him before you, behold, I did not find this man guilty of any of your charges against him. 15 Neither did Herod, for he sent him back to us. Look, nothing deserving death has been done by him. 16 I will therefore punish and release him.” *

47. Mark 15:6-8 (ESV) Now at the feast he used to release for them one prisoner for whom they asked. 7 And among the rebels in prison, who had committed murder in the insurrection, there was a man called Barabbas. 8 And the crowd came up and began to ask Pilate to do as he usually did for them. *

48. Matt 27:17-20 (ESV) So when they had gathered, Pilate said to them, “Whom do you want me to release for you: Barabbas, or Jesus who is called Christ?” 18 For he knew that it was out of envy that they had delivered him up. 19 Besides, while he was sitting on the judgment seat, his wife sent word to him, “Have nothing to do with that righteous man, for I have suffered much because of him today in a dream.” 20 Now the chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowd to ask for Barabbas and destroy Jesus. *

49. Matt 27:21 (ESV) The governor again said to them, “Which of the two do you want me to release for you?” And they said, “Barabbas.” *

50. John 19:1-4 (ESV) Then Pilate took Jesus and flogged him. 2 And the soldiers twisted together a crown of thorns and put it on his head and arrayed him in a purple robe. 3 They came up to him, saying, “Hail, King of the Jews!” and struck him with their hands. 4 Pilate went out again and said to them, “See, I am bringing him out to you that you may know that I find no guilt in him.” *

51. John 19:5-6 (ESV) So Jesus came out, wearing the crown of thorns and the purple robe. Pilate said to them, “Behold the man!” 6 When the chief priests and the officers saw him, they cried out, “Crucify him, crucify him!” Pilate said to them, “Take him yourselves and crucify him, for I find no guilt in him.” *

52. John 19:7-8 (ESV) The Jews answered him, “We have a law, and according to that law he ought to die because he has made himself the Son of God.” 8 When Pilate heard this statement, he was even more afraid. *

53. John 19:9-11 (ESV) He entered his headquarters again and said to Jesus, “Where are you from?” But Jesus gave him no answer. 10 So Pilate said to him, “You will not speak to me? Do you not know that I have authority to release you and authority to crucify you?” 11 Jesus answered him, “You would have no authority over me at all unless it had been given you from above. Therefore he who delivered me over to you has the greater sin.” *

54. John 19:12-13 (ESV) From then on Pilate sought to release him, but the Jews cried out, “If you release this man, you are not Caesar's friend. Everyone who makes himself a king opposes Caesar.” 13 So when Pilate heard these words, he brought Jesus out and sat down on the judgment seat at a place called The Stone Pavement, and in Aramaic Gabbatha. *

55. John 19:14-15 (ESV) Now it was the day of Preparation of the Passover. It was about the sixth hour. He said to the Jews, “Behold your King!” 15 They cried out, “Away with him, away with him, crucify him!” Pilate said to them, “Shall I crucify your King?” The chief priests answered, “We have no king but Caesar.” *

56. Matt 27:24-26 (ESV) So when Pilate saw that he was gaining nothing, but rather that a riot was beginning, he took water and washed his hands before the crowd, saying, “I am innocent of this man's blood; see to it yourselves.” 25 And all the people answered, “His blood be on us and on our children!” 26 Then he released for them Barabbas, and having scourged Jesus, delivered him to be crucified. *

57. Next Week The Serial Gospel The Crucifixion

58. Acts 2:22-23 (ESV) “Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a man attested to you by God with mighty works and wonders and signs that God did through him in your midst, as you yourselves know— 23 this Jesus, delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men. *