Those who had arrested Jesus took him to Caiaphas the high priest, where the scribes and the elders had gathered. . . .
Now the chief priests and the whole council were looking for false testimony against Jesus so that they might put him to death, but they found none, though many false witnesses came forward. At last two came forward and said, “This fellow said, ‘I am able to destroy the temple of God and to build it in three days.’”
The high priest stood up and said, “Have you no answer? What is it that they testify against you?”
But Jesus was silent. Then the high priest said to him, “I put you under oath before the living God, tell us if you are the Messiah, the Son of God.”
Jesus said to him, “You have said so. But I tell you,
From now on you will see the Son of Man
seated at the right hand of Power
and coming on the clouds of heaven.”—Matthew 26:57–64
LOOK: Christ before the High Priest by Gerrit van Honthorst
Rev. Katherine Hedderly, associate vicar for ministry at St Martin-in-the-Fields, reflected on this painting as part of the online course “Inspired to Follow: Art and the Bible Story”:
Jesus places himself totally in the place of light and truth. But we see here, and will see again as we journey to the cross, that it is a lonely place. I wonder if we’re prepared to stand in the lonely place for the sake of the truth. . . .
Opposite Jesus in the painting we find Caiaphas, seated. And in front of Caiaphas, on the table, the books of the Mosaic Law are open. All the power of the religious authority is being brought to bear. Caiaphas has all the weight and authority in the scene, the two witnesses standing arms folded behind him in cowardly judgement. Caiaphas’s finger is very prominent. He is accusing, judgmental. . . .
Jesus’ silence condemns the judge and the witnesses; and by his silence he refuses to accept the authority of the trial. In the face of this onslaught from the religious hierarchy Jesus is the one with real authority.
LISTEN: “Sanhedrin” by Nicholas Andrew Barber, on Stations (2020)
When the day had come
When the dreadful day had come
All the people gathered round
They were the powers that beThe priests, the scribes, and the elders
Took their counsel, all eyes on this king
Of a different kind
Oh, he was a king of a different kindThey asked him plain and simple
Oh, but their intentions were far more complicated
Minds and hearts are so complicated
Minds and hearts are so complicatedYou are the Christ
Oh, you are the Son of Man
You are seated at the right hand of the power of God
Over all the powers that beYou needed to say no more
They’d heard enough
They heard his words
But not what he said
Art & Theology 