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I. THE CHARACTER OF THE EVIDENCE AGAINST HIM.

1. Not in support of any clear and definite indictment.

2. Encouraged by a desire on the part of the judges to incriminate. "They sought witness." The death of the Prisoner a foregone conclusion.

3. The accusations unreliable and conflicting.

II. HIS REPLY TO HIS ACCUSERS. Silence:

(1) Because of their character, and

(2) his own.

The impressive dignity of this attitude. He would not justify himself before an earthly tribunal.

III. His ANSWER TO THE HIGH PRIEST'S QUESTION. He declared himself the Messiah and the Judge of all the earth. This was done out of respect to the representative character of the high priest, and in order to assure and inform faithful Jews.

IV. HOW THIS WAS CONSTRUED. As blasphemy: either

(1) on the ground of imaginary, or feloniously represented, resemblance of the words, "I am," to Jehovah's Name; or

(2) because the claim was a priori assumed to be false.

V. HE WAS REJECTED AND DISHONORED BY THOSE HE CAME TO SAVE, OUT OF SHEER WANTONNESS AND UNBELIEF. - M.

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KJV: And they led Jesus away to the high priest: and with him were assembled all the chief priests and the elders and the scribes.

WEB: They led Jesus away to the high priest. All the chief priests, the elders, and the scribes came together with him.