After Recently Celebrating the Resurrection of Christ, How Has Judeo- Christian (Rabinnical/Eccesiatical) Law Evolved?

The Trial of Jesus: A Historical Look at the Jewish and Roman Trial Proceedings, an honors thesis, written by Vivian Pryor while at Ouachita Baptist University , 17 April 2024, discusses the trial of Jesus by the High Priests, also referred to as a council meaning the Sanhedrin. It is believed that the Sanhedrin was a council of multiple men, most likely members of the Pharisees and the Sadducees who functioned not only in judicial matters but legislative as well. The Pharisees were priests that not only believed in the Torah but also the oral traditions that were to become a part of the Talmud. They believed in the afterlife. The Sadducees believed in the Torah but not the oral traditions or the afterlife. Because they did not believe in the afterlife, modern Christians may after speaking of the Sadducees say that they “were sad, you see”.

In reviewing surviving writings of a military leader/ writer from the times who was Jewish but also had Roman citizenship named Flavius Josephus, she pointed out some of the errors made by the Sanhedrin in their trial of Jesus. While “lawyers” were not used there were certain procedures that were to be followed. For starters the trial could only be held in the day time which it was held at night. In the case of a death penalty there had to also be an intervening day between the trial and the decision, which again there was not. There were multiple forms of execution that could occur which also included stoning and even strangulation.

The fact was that the Sanhedrin wanted Jesus dead. Where it was necessary to have eye witness accounts, the Priests brought forth witnesses that embellished the truth because they needed the Romans to become involved to carry out the death penalty. Rome found the Jews to be troublesome as a group and tried to not get involved with their affairs whenever possible.

For the trial to go forward, the Jews had to have witnesses account for their personal view of the crime(s). One included the suggestion that Jesus’ words of “ render unto Caesar what is Caesar’s and unto God, what is God’s.” as encouraging the Jews to not pay the tax to Rome as was levied. Also, by Jesus proclaiming himself as a king, while seen as a slap to Herod by the Jews was skewed to support the “witness” testimony that Jesus was directing Jews not to support Rome by their tax payments. Further, they made claims of blasphemy against Jesus for claiming His divinity, also as a death penalty crime.

Truly as Ms. Pryor pointed out, it was the most “influential legal case of all time” and that death sentence and execution is the basis of the ultimate blood sacrifice for the redemption of sins for all of mankind, but specifically for those who repent, trust in faith and call on the name of Jesus as Savior.

After the Jews rebelled against Rome in A.D. 67-70 which culminated with the destruction of the Temple, the Sanhedrin no longer existed. Over time the rabbinical legal system declined for various reasons. Today’s rabbinical courts in Israel have more to do with family law and may work parallel to the civil courts. The rabbinical courts have jurisdiction over Jewish marriages and sometimes over other marriages within Israel. There may be a race to either the rabbinical or civil court especially after so much of Israel has become more secular leaning.

Christians utilize Ecclesiastical courts in spiritual and connected religious cases (including the correction of religious leaders) and in the UK it includes other matters such as probate. In the United States, Ecclesiastical hearings are a non-adversarial hearing used as a last resort for various reasons related to the local church or a collection of churches of the same denomination. Often times these matters may be related to marriage or family. My understanding and what I have been told as a member of a congregation from time to time is initially an unrepentant member is counseled specifically by a prescribed method in hopes that they will repent of a particular sin or sins and come back into the fold. If the member will not repent then the member may be excommunicated from the congregation, losing all rights and privileges of membership.

Religious legal hearings have their place and the various denominations, faiths or religions certainly need to have free access to govern themselves. The Catholics, Episcopalians, evangelical churches, etc. all have different oversight and rules but must follow their tenants of their faith.

Fortunately, professional jurists and lawyers have a better chance (though not perfect by any means) of coming to a fair conclusion in legal matters than those of the Sanhedrin who were more concerned with power and greed. But the result for the Son of God was long ago prescribed for the redemption of man and occurred at the perfect time in history.

I hope that this has helped with your question. If you need a lawyer you can contact the Alabama State Bar Lawyer Referral service or ask a trusted friend about a lawyer that they might recommend.

This article is informative only and not meant to be all inclusive. Additionally this article does not serve as legal advice to the reader and does not constitute an attorney- client relationship. The reader should seek counsel from their attorney should any questions exist.

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