BEFORE ANNA.
Jesus was arrested by representatives of religious institution – “The band of soldiers, with its commander and the officers of the Jews, arrested Jesus and bound Him” John 18:12.
They literally handcuffed him and led him away.
These soldiers were accompanied by a large crowd of angry mob.
But Jesus needed to be tried – by the religious leaders and the evidence will be formally presented to the Roman government before He could be sentenced and executed.
But being a big religious festival with the festival already underway and Sabbath starting by Friday evening, these religious bigwigs knew they needed to be quick and smart about it.
TRIAL #1.
Preliminary Hearing Before Annas, former Jewish High Priest for 16 years.
John 18: 13 reads: They brought Him first to Annas, who was the father-in-law of Caiaphas, the high priest that year.
That was also where Jesus received His initial physical abuse – when one of the officers slapped him for disrespecting Annas.
When he was done with the hearing, Annas sent Jesus, still bound, to his son-in-law who was also the current High Priest – Caiaphas.
REAL BIBLE PEOPLE 