Chief Priests

The term "chief priests" in the New Testament refers to the leading priests in the Jewish religious hierarchy during the time of Jesus. These individuals held significant authority and influence within the Jewish community and were primarily responsible for the administration of the Temple in Jerusalem. The chief priests were part of the priestly class, which descended from Aaron, the brother of Moses, and were tasked with performing sacrifices and maintaining the sanctity of the Temple.

The chief priests played a crucial role in the events leading up to the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. They were often depicted as being in opposition to Jesus, perceiving Him as a threat to their authority and the established religious order. In the Gospel of Matthew, it is recorded that the chief priests, along with the elders, plotted to arrest Jesus by stealth and kill Him (Matthew 26:3-4). They were instrumental in orchestrating the trial of Jesus before Pontius Pilate, as seen in Matthew 27:1-2 : "When morning came, all the chief priests and elders of the people conspired against Jesus to put Him to death. They bound Him, led Him away, and handed Him over to Pilate the governor."

The chief priests were also involved in the persecution of the early Christian church. In the Book of Acts, they are mentioned as part of the opposition to the apostles' preaching about Jesus' resurrection (Acts 4:1-3).

The Sanhedrin

The Sanhedrin was the supreme council and tribunal of the Jewish people during the Second Temple period. It was composed of chief priests, elders, and scribes, and was presided over by the high priest. The Sanhedrin held significant religious, legal, and political authority, and its decisions were binding on the Jewish community.

The Sanhedrin is frequently mentioned in the New Testament, particularly in relation to the trial and condemnation of Jesus. The Gospels describe how Jesus was brought before the Sanhedrin following His arrest in the Garden of Gethsemane. In Mark 14:55 , it is written: "Now the chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin were seeking testimony against Jesus to put Him to death, but they did not find any." Despite the lack of credible evidence, the Sanhedrin condemned Jesus for blasphemy, leading to His crucifixion.

The Sanhedrin also played a role in the early persecution of Christians. In Acts 5:27-28 , the apostles were brought before the Sanhedrin and reprimanded for teaching in the name of Jesus: "They brought them in and made them stand before the Sanhedrin, where the high priest interrogated them. 'We gave you strict orders not to teach in this name,' he said. 'Yet you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and are determined to make us responsible for this man’s blood.'"

The Sanhedrin's authority was eventually diminished following the destruction of the Second Temple in 70 AD, but its influence during the time of Jesus and the early church was profound. The interactions between Jesus, the chief priests, and the Sanhedrin highlight the tension between the emerging Christian faith and the established Jewish religious order.