A Markedly Irregular Process
Jesus was condemned because he had recognized himself as the Son of God and, specifically, as the Messiah, the one awaited by the people of Israel to liberate the Jews. The whole process, which took place between the years 30 and 33 of our era, was tainted by irregularities that should have led to the annulment of the trial, but it is known that this did not happen.
The Sanhedrin and the Controversy
First, Jesus was brought before the Sanhedrin of Judea, the Supreme Council that ruled on civil, criminal and religious matters under the interpretation of the Talmud, and the highest Jewish judicial instance that, although it could impose a death sentence, had no jurisdiction to execute it, because that was reserved for the Roman governor. That is to say, in illo tempore there was already a certain division of powers, although with more prominence of the executive.
The Declaration of Jesus and the Sentence
The trial was subject to some contradiction, for the defendant was asked about the charges he was accused of and was not required to plead guilty, but Jesus testified against him when, to Caiaphas’s question as to whether He was the King of the Jews, he answered, “Thou hast said.” This answer could lead, for blasphemy, to a death sentence by stoning, but not by crucifixion, which was reserved for prisoners who had committed crimes against the power of Rome. It is known that this circumstance was not taken into account.
The Decision of Pilate
Pilate could have pardoned Jesus, because he held that power, but Caiaphas put him against the ropes, letting it slip that someone who proclaimed himself King was also questioning Caesar’s power, and nothing worse for a Roman official than to be suspected of negligence in the face of such fact.
The Condemnation and the Crucifixion
We could say, therefore, that Jesus was really condemned for religious and also political issues, and that it occurred as a kind of perfect storm, between the fear of the Sanhedrin, which saw its power in danger, and the disquiet of the governor Pilate before of the public disorders that could occur in a complicated province and also at Easter time.