SUMMARY
Jesus’ trial is a travesty of justice that ends with a death sentence.
ANALYSIS
The trial of JesusJesus is the Messiah whose life, death, and resurrection are God's saving act for humanity. More is a sham affair. It takes place under the cover of darkness and Mark makes clear that they can find no evidence that convicts Jesus. Mark depicts the chief priests and the eldersElders are leaders who exercise wisdom or leadership by virtue of their age and experience. In the New Testament elders, along with the chief priests and scribes, constituted the primary opposition to Jesus when he taught in Jerusalem. More as both sinister and bumbling. Even though they have conspired to arrest Jesus and have arranged for false witnesses to provide evidence to condemn him, they can’t even get their witnesses to lie correctly (14:56).
The pivotal moment in the trial comes when the high priestThe high priest was the most powerful priest in the temple in Jerusalem. The high priest Caiaphas held the office during the trial of Jesus. Later, in the New Testament book of Hebrews, the role of merciful high priest is ascribed to the resurrected Jesus. More finally has the courage to voice their real fear. He asks Jesus point blank whether he is the MessiahThe Messiah was the one who, it was believed, would come to free the people of Israel from bondage and exile. In Jewish thought the Messiah is the anticipated one who will come, as prophesied by Isaiah. In Christian thought Jesus of Nazareth is identified... More, the Son of the Blessed One (the “Blessed One” is a pious substitute for the name of God which as a devout Jew, the high priestA priest is a person who has the authority to perform religious rites. In New Testament times priests were responsible for daily offerings and sacrifices in the temple. More would not utter). In his previous encounters with questioners, Jesus had played the trickster. Here, however, he answers simply and directly: “I am” (14:62). He does not stop with the simple affirmation though. Instead, Jesus goes on to elaborate on his identity, blending together quotations from DanielAn interpreter of dreams who was delivered from the lions' den. More 7:13 and PsalmA psalm is a song of praise. In the Old Testament 150 psalms comprise the psalter, although some of the psalms are laments and thanksgivings. In the New Testament early Christians gathered to sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs. More 110:1. This blend of quotations contains an implied threat; the Son of Man in Daniel comes to exercise dominion over the enemies of Israel and Psalm 110 contains the promise that God will make the Messiah’s enemies into his footstool. The chief priests and the elders have arrested Jesus and are trying to condemn him to death. If Jesus speaks the truth, then they are the ones whom God will place under Jesus’ feet. It is this realization that leads to the high priest’s reaction. In a gesture of outrage, he rips his own clothing and accuses Jesus of blasphemyBlasphemy is disrespecting or dishonoring of something held sacred. To use the name of God in swearing or to commit a profane act is to commit blasphemy. More. Thus, in the greatest irony of the Gospel of Mark, it is the truth about Jesus, not the false witnesses, that leads to his death.
