The Trial of Jesus
Jesus stands trial before the Jewish Sanhedrin and the Roman governor Pilate, is falsely accused, mocked, and condemned to death despite Pilate finding no fault in Him, while Barabbas the criminal is released.
Matthew 26:57-68, Matthew 27:11-26
Take the Matthew 26 Quiz
Test your knowledge of this chapter
Explore Matthew Chapters
Study all chapters of Matthew
The Story
After His arrest in the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus was led away to Caiaphas the high priest, where the scribes and elders were assembled. The religious leaders sought false witness against Jesus to put Him to death, but found none. Though many false witnesses came, their testimonies did not agree. The high priest demanded, 'Tell us whether thou be the Christ, the Son of God.' Jesus answered, 'Thou hast said: nevertheless I say unto you, Hereafter shall ye see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven.' The high priest rent his clothes, crying, 'He hath spoken blasphemy!' They answered, 'He is guilty of death.' Then they spat in His face and buffeted Him.
Since the Jewish council lacked authority to execute, they brought Jesus before Pontius Pilate. Pilate asked Him, 'Art thou the King of the Jews?' Jesus replied, 'Thou sayest.' When the chief priests accused Him, Jesus answered nothing, causing Pilate to marvel. Now at the feast, the governor was accustomed to release one prisoner. They had a notable prisoner called Barabbas, a robber and murderer. Pilate asked, 'Whom will ye that I release unto you? Barabbas, or Jesus which is called Christ?' The chief priests persuaded the multitude to ask for Barabbas. Pilate asked, 'What shall I do then with Jesus which is called Christ?' They all said, 'Let him be crucified.' Pilate asked, 'Why, what evil hath he done?' But they cried out the more, 'Let him be crucified.' Pilate took water and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, 'I am innocent of the blood of this just person.' He released Barabbas and delivered Jesus to be crucified. Thus the innocent Son of God was condemned in place of a guilty criminal.
Jesus on Trial
Kids Version
After Jesus was arrested in the garden, the soldiers took Him to the house of the high priest, a religious leader named Caiaphas. All the important religious leaders were there. They wanted to find something bad Jesus had done so they could punish Him. But there was a problem—Jesus hadn't done anything wrong! They brought in people who told lies about Jesus, but the lies didn't match. Finally, the high priest asked Jesus directly: 'Are You the Christ, the Son of God?' Jesus answered, 'Yes, I am. And one day you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of God.' The high priest tore his clothes and shouted, 'He says He's God! He deserves to die!' Then they spit on Jesus and hit Him.
But these religious leaders couldn't execute anyone—only the Romans could do that. So they took Jesus to Pontius Pilate, the Roman governor. Pilate asked Jesus, 'Are You the King of the Jews?' Jesus said, 'You have said so.' Pilate could tell that the religious leaders were just jealous of Jesus. He knew Jesus hadn't done anything wrong. Every year at Passover, Pilate would release one prisoner that the people chose. There was a famous prisoner named Barabbas, who was a robber and had even killed people. Pilate asked the crowd, 'Which one do you want me to release—Barabbas, or Jesus?' The chief priests convinced the people to shout, 'Barabbas!' Pilate asked, 'Then what should I do with Jesus?' They all shouted, 'Crucify Him!' Pilate washed his hands and said, 'I am innocent of this man's blood.' Then he let Barabbas go free and ordered Jesus to be crucified. Just like Barabbas went free while Jesus was punished, we can go free because Jesus took the punishment for our sins.
Ready to test your knowledge?
See how well you know this story from Matthew.
Characters in This Story
Settings & Locations
Scripture — Matthew 26:57-68 (KJV)
57And they that had laid hold on Jesus led him away to Caiaphas the high priest, where the scribes and the elders were assembled.
58But Peter followed him afar off unto the high priest's palace, and went in, and sat with the servants, to see the end.
59Now the chief priests, and elders, and all the council, sought false witness against Jesus, to put him to death;
60But found none: yea, though many false witnesses came, yet found they none. At the last came two false witnesses,
61And said, This fellow said, I am able to destroy the temple of God, and to build it in three days.
62And the high priest arose, and said unto him, Answerest thou nothing? what is it which these witness against thee?
63But Jesus held his peace. And the high priest answered and said unto him, I adjure thee by the living God, that thou tell us whether thou be the Christ, the Son of God.
64Jesus saith unto him, Thou hast said: nevertheless I say unto you, Hereafter shall ye see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven.
65Then the high priest rent his clothes, saying, He hath spoken blasphemy; what further need have we of witnesses? behold, now ye have heard his blasphemy.
66What think ye? They answered and said, He is guilty of death.
67Then did they spit in his face, and buffeted him; and others smote him with the palms of their hands, the palms: or, rods
68Saying, Prophesy unto us, thou Christ, Who is he that smote thee?
Memory Verse
“And they that had laid hold on Jesus led him away to Caiaphas the high priest, where the scribes and the elders were assembled.”
— Matthew 26:57 (KJV)
Test Your Knowledge
How well do you know the story of “The Trial of Jesus”? Take the quiz to find out.
More from Death & Resurrection
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the story of “The Trial of Jesus” in the Bible?
Jesus stands trial before the Jewish Sanhedrin and the Roman governor Pilate, is falsely accused, mocked, and condemned to death despite Pilate finding no fault in Him, while Barabbas the criminal is released. This story is found in Matthew 26:57-68, Matthew 27:11-26.
Where is “The Trial of Jesus” found in the Bible?
“The Trial of Jesus” is found in Matthew 26:57-68, Matthew 27:11-26, in the book of Matthew.
What can children learn from “The Trial of Jesus”?
This story teaches children about Injustice, Christ's Suffering, Fulfillment of Prophecy, Substitutionary Death, Human Sinfulness. Jesus is arrested and brought before religious leaders and the Roman governor Pilate. Even though He did nothing wrong, the people choose to free a criminal instead and demand that Jesus be crucified.