After the meal they went to the garden of Gethsemane and Jesus prayed but the disciples fell asleep. Jesus was praying that if possible he would not have to go through with his death on the cross. While he was praying Judas came with the soldiers to arrest him. The sign of who to take was a kiss or embrace. It was needed because it was dark and possibly because Jesus was quite ordinary to look at. When the soldiers were trying to arrest Jesus, Peter lashed out with a sword but Jesus stopped him and then all the disciples fled. Jesus said to Peter, ‘all who live by the sword will die by the sword,’ and would not allow violence.
Jesus was dragged to the high priest’s house, it was late at night and many of the Jewish leaders were there. It was not a fair trial because they were not supposed to meet at night and there were not enough of them there to make decisions. The Jewish leaders tried to get false witnesses against Jesus, but the witnesses did not agree with what was said. In Jewish laws if two witnesses agree against you then you are condemned. Finally the high priest asked Jesus if he was the Christ. When Jesus denied this, the high priest tore his robes and said he was guilty of blasphemy and must die. The high priest was not supposed to tear his clothes. He was so angry that he broke the law. He was supposed to be calm and seeking justice but this was not the case. After the verdict by the high priest, Jesus was beaten and mocked.
Early on Friday morning there was a full meeting of the Sanhedrin. The Sanhedrin was all the Jewish leaders and they decided to take Jesus to Pontius Pilate. He was the Roman Governor. They took Jesus to him because only the Romans could put him to death. The Roman Empire ruled much of the world at this time and in Israel only the Romans could put people to death. Pilate thought Jesus was innocent and tried to set him free. There was a Passover custom to release a prisoner. Pilate offered the crowds Jesus or Barabbas, who was a murderer. He was shocked when they wanted Barabbas set free, so he reluctantly had Jesus whipped and crucified. Pilate thought that either the leaders hated Jesus or the crowd liked him but the followers of Barabbas organised the crowds to shout for him. The followers of Jesus were frightened and shocked that Jesus had been arrested. Many may not have been in the city at the time as Jesus lived in Galilee in the North.
Jesus was put to death along with two criminals. The chief priests and other people mocked Jesus as he was on the cross and called on him to come down from the cross and prove himself. Jesus said the famous words, ‘Father forgive them for they know not what they do.’ Crucifixion was very painful and cruel. Christians believe Jesus was not guilty of any crime but died for our sins. The Jews hated him and mocked him because they felt he has claimed God-like powers. This was known as blasphemy. Christians also believe that Jesus did not have a fair trial and had done nothing we would call worthy of death.
The death of Jesus could be used as an argument against capital punishment, like many others he was put to death unfairly. The Jews and Romans were afraid he would cause trouble and found an easy solution.