Event 1
Jesus Prays in Gethsemane
After the Last Supper, Jesus withdrew to Gethsemane to pray. Knowing the suffering that awaited Him, He submitted Himself to the will of the Father. His disciples struggled to remain awake while He prayed.
The Trial of Jesus
The arrest and trial of Jesus stand among the most important events recorded in the Gospels. They also raise serious questions about justice, religious authority, and the use of Roman power.
These twelve investigations follow the proceedings from Gethsemane to the crucifixion. They examine what the Gospels tell us and consider the Jewish legal principles and Roman practices that help us understand what happened.
Our investigation begins with the conviction that the Gospel accounts faithfully preserve these events. Historical evidence helps illuminate their setting and the actions of those involved.
Click This Panel for a Chronological Journey
The four Gospels describe the events that led from the arrest of Jesus to His condemnation by Pontius Pilate.
This illustrated chronology follows those events in sequence. It brings together the accounts of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John to show how the proceedings unfolded.
Select an investigation below the timeline to examine the biblical testimony, Jewish legal principles, and Roman judicial practices in greater detail.
The Arrest and Jewish Proceedings
Event 2
Judas Arrives with the Arresting Party
Judas arrived accompanied by an armed party sent by the religious authorities. He identified Jesus to those who had come to seize Him. The arrest followed preparations by leaders who had already sought an opportunity to take Jesus into custody.
Event 3
Jesus Is Arrested
Jesus was seized and bound. Peter attempted to resist with a sword, striking the servant of the high priest. Jesus rejected armed resistance, and the disciples fled. He submitted to the arrest despite having committed no act of violence against His captors.
Event 5
Jesus Appears Before Caiaphas
Jesus was brought before Caiaphas and an assembly of religious authorities. The proceedings focused upon accusations against Him and His identity. The authorities sought grounds upon which He could be condemned.
Event 6
Witnesses Testify Against Jesus
Witnesses were brought forward against Jesus. Matthew and Mark report false testimony, while Mark emphasizes that the witnesses failed to agree. Accusations concerning the destruction and rebuilding of the temple became part of the proceedings.
Scripture:
Matthew 26:59-61; Mark 14:55-59
Event 7
Jesus Is Accused of Blasphemy
The high priest questioned Jesus concerning His identity as the Messiah and Son of God. Jesus responded by referring to the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power and coming with the clouds of heaven. Caiaphas tore his garments and declared that Jesus had spoken blasphemy.
Event 8
Jesus Is Mocked and Mistreated
Following the accusations against Him, Jesus was subjected to mocking and physical mistreatment. He was struck, blindfolded, and challenged to identify those who hit Him. The Gospels record these humiliations before His transfer to Roman authority.
Event 9
The Morning Council Convenes
At daybreak, the religious authorities assembled in council. Luke records further questioning concerning the identity of Jesus. The authorities then proceeded with their decision to bring Him before the Roman governor.
The Roman Proceedings
Event 10
Jesus Is Delivered to Pontius Pilate
Jesus was bound and delivered to Pontius Pilate, the Roman governor. The accusations now emphasized political offenses, including misleading the nation, opposing tribute to Caesar, and claiming kingship. The proceedings had moved from the religious authorities to Roman jurisdiction.
Event 11
Pilate Questions Jesus
Pilate questioned Jesus concerning the accusation that He claimed to be King of the Jews. Jesus explained the nature of His kingdom. Pilate found no sufficient basis for condemnation, but the accusations continued.
Event 12
Jesus Is Sent to Herod Antipas
Learning that Jesus was from Galilee, Pilate sent Him to Herod Antipas, who was in Jerusalem. Herod questioned Jesus and hoped to witness a miracle, but Jesus gave him no answer. Herod and his soldiers mocked Jesus before sending Him back to Pilate.
Scripture:
Luke 23:6-12
Event 13
Pilate Again Declares Jesus Innocent
After Jesus returned from Herod, Pilate assembled the accusers and declared that neither his own examination nor Herod examination had established a crime deserving death. Nevertheless, pressure for a sentence against Jesus continued.
Event 14
Pilate Offers the Prisoner Release
Event 15
Barabbas Is Chosen for Release
Event 16
Pilate Washes His Hands
Seeing that the disturbance was increasing, Pilate took water and washed his hands before the crowd. He publicly disclaimed responsibility for the death of Jesus. Nevertheless, he remained the Roman governor whose authority would bring about the execution.
Scripture:
Matthew 27:24-26; Deuteronomy 21:1-9
The Condemnation
Event 17
Jesus Is Scourged and Mocked by Roman Soldiers
Jesus was scourged and subjected to further humiliation by Roman soldiers. They placed a crown of thorns upon His head, dressed Him in a royal robe, and mocked His kingship. John records Pilate presenting the scourged Jesus to the accusers before the final delivery for crucifixion.
Event 18
Pilate Condemns Jesus and Delivers Him for Crucifixion
Despite his repeated declarations that Jesus had committed no offense deserving death, Pilate yielded to the demands for crucifixion. Exercising his authority as Roman governor, he delivered Jesus to be crucified. The proceedings culminated in the condemnation of the innocent Christ.
Investigation 7
The Morning Council
Why did the religious authorities assemble again in the morning, and what purpose did this meeting serve before Jesus was delivered to Pilate?
Examine the morning meeting of the Jewish council, its relationship to the earlier proceedings, and the decision to bring Jesus before the Roman governor.
Investigation 8
Jesus Before Pontius Pilate
Why was Jesus accused of threatening Roman rule, and why did Pilate continue the case after finding no guilt in Him?
The religious accusation against Jesus became a political case before Rome. Pilate questioned Jesus about kingship but found no basis for condemning Him.
Investigation 9
Jesus Before Herod Antipas
Why did Pilate send Jesus to Herod Antipas, and what does Herod's examination reveal about the justice of the Roman proceedings?
Pilate sent Jesus to Herod Antipas, who hoped to see a miracle. Jesus remained silent while His accusers pressed their case. Herod mocked Him and returned Him to Pilate without a death sentence.
Investigation 10
Pilate's Judgment and Responsibility
How could Pilate declare Jesus innocent, wash his hands of responsibility, and still order His crucifixion?
Pilate repeatedly found no capital offense in Jesus. Yet pressure from the accusers and fear of unrest led him to surrender an innocent man to crucifixion.
Investigation 11
Jesus Barabbas and the Prisoner Exchange
Why did Pilate release Barabbas instead of Jesus, and what does this choice reveal about the justice of the Roman trial?
Pilate offered to release Jesus or Barabbas, a prisoner linked to an uprising and murder. The crowd demanded Barabbas, while the innocent Jesus was delivered for crucifixion.
Investigation 12
The Condemnation and Crucifixion
Why did Pilate condemn Jesus despite finding no capital offense, and what does His crucifixion reveal about Roman justice and His mission?
Pilate surrendered Jesus to crucifixion despite his findings of innocence. Roman soldiers mocked the King of the Jews, and Jesus willingly endured the cross.
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"For God so loved the world,
that he gave his only begotten Son,
that whosoever believeth in him
should not perish,
but have everlasting life."
