Faith & Reason Nexus

1. THE GREAT SANHEDRIN
a. The Grand Council
b. Located in Jerusalem
c. High court of justice and supreme tribunal for Jews
d. Comprised 71 members
e. Powers: Legislative, Executive, Judicial

2. THE MINOR SANHEDRIN

3. THE LOWER SANHEDRIN

NAME: “Sanhedrin” signifies a legislative assembly or an ecclesiastical council deliberating in a sitting posture.

TORAH: Established in Jerusalem between 170 and 106 B.C.

ORIGIN: Established in Jerusalem between 170 and 106 B.C.

NUMBER: 23 members from each of three chambers (69) plus 2 presiding officers, bringing the total number to 71.

ORGANIZATION

The seventy-one members were divided into three chambers.

1. The Chamber of PRIESTS

• Represented the religious or sacerdotal
• Twenty-three members

2. The Chamber of SCRIBES

• Represented the literary or legal
• Twenty-three members

3. The Chamber of ELDERS

• Represented the popular element of the Hebrew nation
• Twenty-three members

Matthew 16:21 refers to the three orders of the Sanhedrin that would pass judgment upon Christ: “From that time forth began Jesus to show unto his disciples, how that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day.”

• “Elders”: The chamber of elders (3)
• “Chief priests”: The chamber of Priests (1)
• “Scribes”: The chamber of scribes (2)

OFFICERS OF THE GREAT SANHEDRIN

Two presiding officers:

1. “Prince” – The chief and president of the court.
2. “Father of the tribunal” – The vice-president

QUORUM: 23 members constituted a quorum

CRIMINAL TRIALS

1. A majority of one vote was sufficient for an acquittal.
2. A majority of two votes was necessary for condemnation.

TORAH AUTHORITY: The Great Sanhedrin possessed all the powers and attributes of a national parliament and supreme court. It paralleled the Areopagus in Athens and the senate in Rome.