PAINTING ABOVE (Antonio Ciseri's depiction of Ecce Homo, 1871): Pontius Pilate, with Jesus of Nazareth at his left, is attempting to reason with the crowd of Jews yelling for Jesus to be crucified. Pilate's wife, second woman from the right, previously told her husband of a dream (perceived by many as Divine Communication) she had that very day. In Matthew 27:19, she sent a message to her husband, pleading with him not to harm the "righteous man." Her pleas, of course, went unheeded.

CRUCIFY HIM, CRUCIFY HIM!

THE SIX TRIALS OF JESUS CHRIST

After His arrest in the Garden of Gesthemane but before He was crucified at Golgotha, Jesus of Nazareth appeared at 6 separate trials as outlined below.

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THREE RELIGIOUS (JEWISH) TRIALS OF JESUS

Matthew 26:57-68; 27:1-2 / Mark 14:53-65

Luke 22:66-71 / John 18:12-14; 18:19-24

1) BEFORE ANNAS: Hearing before Annas, former Jewish High Priest for 16 years - Jesus receives initial physical abuse.

2) BEFORE CAIAPHAS: Hearing before the current Jewish High Priest, Caiaphas, and the Sanhedrin Court - Jesus bloodied by abuse. Imprisonment at Caiaphas' palace.

3) BEFORE THE SANHEDRIN: Hearing before all the Jewish elders, including the High Priest, Scribes and whole Sanhedrin. They decide to ask the Roman government to kill Jesus.

THREE CIVIC (ROMAN) TRIALS OF JESUS

Matthew 27:11-26 / Mark 15:1-15

Luke 23:1-25 / John 18:28- 19:16

4) BEFORE PONTIUS PILATE: Hearing before Roman governor Pilate, who declares, "I find no guilt in this man."

5) BEFORE HEROD: Hearing before Herod Antipas, the son of Herod the Great, who had jurisdiction over Galilee. Jesus refused to answer any questions so Herod returned Him quickly to Pilate.

6) BEFORE PONTIUS PILATE: Hearing again before Pilate, who repeatedly tried to release Jesus, but the Jewish leaders continued to object. Pilate ordered the physical torture and beating of Jesus, seeking to satisfy the Jewish leaders. However, the Jews demanded that Jesus be crucified. Pilate resisted, but eventually gave the order to execute Jesus. He notes on the sign on the cross that His crime was being the King of the Jews. This was probably done to avoid trouble with Rome (No king but Caesar).