Topical Encyclopedia
The Sanhedrim, often referred to as the Sanhedrin, was the supreme judicial and ecclesiastical council of ancient Israel. It played a crucial role in the religious and civil life of the Jewish people during the Second Temple period, particularly in the time of Jesus Christ and the early Church. The term "Sanhedrim" is derived from the Greek word "synedrion," meaning "assembly" or "council."
Composition and StructureThe Sanhedrim was composed of seventy-one members, including the high priest, who served as the president of the council. The members were drawn from three main groups: the chief priests, the elders, and the scribes. The chief priests were primarily Sadducees, while the scribes and elders included many Pharisees. This diverse composition often led to theological and political tensions within the council.
Functions and AuthorityThe Sanhedrim held significant authority over Jewish religious and civil matters. It was responsible for interpreting Jewish law, adjudicating legal disputes, and overseeing the administration of justice. The council also had the authority to issue decrees and regulations that affected the daily lives of the Jewish people.
In religious matters, the Sanhedrim was the final arbiter of Jewish law and tradition. It had the power to excommunicate individuals and to decide on matters of ritual purity and temple worship. In civil matters, the Sanhedrim functioned as the highest court of appeal, with jurisdiction over cases involving capital punishment, although under Roman rule, its authority to execute such sentences was restricted.
Biblical ReferencesThe Sanhedrim is mentioned in several passages of the New Testament, where it is depicted as a central authority in the trial and condemnation of Jesus Christ. In the Gospel of Matthew, the Sanhedrim is described as seeking false testimony against Jesus to put Him to death (
Matthew 26:59). The Gospel of Mark records that "the chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin were seeking testimony against Jesus to put Him to death, but they did not find any" (
Mark 14:55).
The Sanhedrim also played a significant role in the persecution of the early Church. In the Acts of the Apostles, Peter and John are brought before the council for preaching in the name of Jesus, and the apostles are commanded not to speak or teach in His name (
Acts 4:5-21). Stephen, the first Christian martyr, is tried and condemned by the Sanhedrim (
Acts 6:12-15, 7:1-60).
Historical ContextThe Sanhedrim's authority was curtailed under Roman occupation, as the Roman governors retained the power to approve or deny capital sentences. Despite this limitation, the Sanhedrim remained a powerful institution within Jewish society until the destruction of the Second Temple in 70 AD, after which its influence waned significantly.
Theological SignificanceFrom a theological perspective, the Sanhedrim's interactions with Jesus and the early Christians highlight the tension between the established religious order and the emerging Christian faith. The council's role in the trial of Jesus is often seen as a fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies concerning the Messiah's suffering and rejection by the leaders of His own people (
Isaiah 53:3).
The Sanhedrim's actions against the apostles and early Christians underscore the challenges faced by the nascent Church in proclaiming the Gospel amidst opposition from religious authorities. Despite persecution, the apostles remained steadfast in their mission, exemplifying the transformative power of the Holy Spirit and the unwavering commitment to Christ's commission.
Easton's Bible Dictionary
More correctly Sanhedrin (Gr. synedrion), meaning "a sitting together," or a "council." This word (rendered "council, " A.V.) is frequently used in the New Testament (
Matthew 5:22;
26:59;
Mark 15:1, etc.) to denote the supreme judicial and administrative council of the Jews, which, it is said, was first instituted by Moses, and was composed of seventy men (
Numbers 11:16, 17). But that seems to have been only a temporary arrangement which Moses made. This council is with greater probability supposed to have originated among the Jews when they were under the domination of the Syrian kings in the time of the Maccabees. The name is first employed by the Jewish historian Josephus. This "council" is referred to simply as the "chief priests and elders of the people" (
Matthew 26:3, 47, 57, 59;
27:1, 3, 12, 20, etc.), before whom Christ was tried on the charge of claiming to be the Messiah. Peter and John were also brought before it for promulgating heresy (
Acts 4:1-23;
5:17-41); as was also Stephen on a charge of blasphemy (
6:12-15), and Paul for violating a temple by-law (
22:30;
23:1-10).
The Sanhedrin is said to have consisted of seventy-one members, the high priest being president. They were of three classes (1) the chief priests, or heads of the twenty-four priestly courses (1 Chronicles 24), (2) the scribes, and (3) the elders. As the highest court of judicature, "in all causes and over all persons, ecclesiastical and civil, supreme," its decrees were binding, not only on the Jews in Palestine, but on all Jews wherever scattered abroad. Its jurisdiction was greatly curtailed by Herod, and afterwards by the Romans. Its usual place of meeting was within the precincts of the temple, in the hall "Gazith," but it sometimes met also in the house of the high priest (Matthew 26:3), who was assisted by two vice-presidents.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
(
n.) the great council of the Jews, which consisted of seventy members, to whom the high priest was added. It had jurisdiction of religious matters.
Library
TheSanhedrim in Session.
... Chapter XI. TheSanhedrim in Session. 45. Many of the Jews who came to Mary.... For
an account of theSanhedrim [9]see notes on chapter 1:19. What do we?...
Double Dealing of theSanhedrim.
... Double Dealing of theSanhedrim. It is obvious, at first sight, that the procedure
of theSanhedrim in condemning Christ was illegal and arbitrary....
Message of theSanhedrim to John at Bethabara.
... THE BAPTIST."THE FIRST DISCIPLES. Section 111. Message of theSanhedrim
to John at Bethabara. Meanwhile John, with his disciples...
Vain Attempts of theSanhedrim against Christ. (John, vii. , 40-53...
... Section 197. Vain Attempts of theSanhedrim against Christ. (John, vii.,
40-53.)"Dispute in theSanhedrim."First Decision against Christ....
Attempts of theSanhedrim to Corrupt and Alarm the Restored Blind...
... Attempts of theSanhedrim to corrupt and alarm the restored Blind Man."Christ's
Conversation with him."The Sight of the Blind, and the Blindness of the...
His Precautions against the Persecutions of theSanhedrim.
... CHRIST'S JOURNEY TO JERUSALEM TO ATTEND THE FEAST OF TABERNACLES. Section 192. His
Precautions against the Persecutions of theSanhedrim. (John, vii.)...
Measures Taken against Christ by theSanhedrim. (John, xi. , 47...
... CHAPTER XV. JESUS IN BETHANY. Section 234. Measures taken against Christ
by theSanhedrim. (John, xi., 47, seq.). The raising of...
Object of Christ in the Last Supper.
... We need not necessarily presuppose that he was supernaturally informed of it; for
it may be said that his friends in theSanhedrim (and he had such) informed...
How Antipater Committed the Care of Galilee to Herod, and that of...
... our law, which hath forbidden to slay any man, even though he were a wicked man,
unless he had been first condemned to suffer death by theSanhedrim [15] yet...
The Consistories of More Note: Out of the Babylonian Talmud...
... Indeed, theSanhedrim of R. Jochanan was in Jabneh; but his consistory, his seat
of judgment, seems to be distinguished from theSanhedrim....
Thesaurus
Sanhedrim (20 Occurrences)... was added. It had jurisdiction of religious matters. Multi-Version Concordance
Sanhedrim (20 Occurrences). Matthew 5:22 But I say
...Annas (4 Occurrences)
... Caiaphas, who had married the daughter of Annas (John 18:13), was raised to that
office, and probably Annas was now made president of theSanhedrim, or deputy...
Intending (24 Occurrences)
... to know the certainty wherefore he is accused by the Jews, he did loose him from
the bonds, and commanded the chief priests and all theirsanhedrim to come...
Council (51 Occurrences)
... The Jewish councils were theSanhedrim, or supreme council of the nation, which
had subordinate to it smaller tribunals (the "judgment, " perhaps, in Matthew 5...
Counsel (192 Occurrences)
... Mark 15:1 And immediately in the morning the chief priests, having taken counsel
with the elders and scribes and the wholesanhedrim, bound Jesus and carried...
Sang (28 Occurrences)
Unrighteousness (57 Occurrences)
... YLT). Acts 24:20 or let these same say if they found any unrighteousness
in me in my standing before thesanhedrim, (YLT). Acts 25...
Lightly (31 Occurrences)
... his brother shall be subject to the judgment; but whosoever shall say to his brother,
Raca, shall be subject to be called before thesanhedrim; but whosoever...
Gamaliel (7 Occurrences)
... He was noted for his learning, and was president of theSanhedrim during the regins
of Tiberius, Caligula, and Claudius, and died, it is said, about eighteen...
Gama'li-el (2 Occurrences)
... Acts 5:34 but a certain one, having risen up in thesanhedrim -- a Pharisee, by
name Gamaliel, a teacher of law honoured by all the people -- commanded to put...
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