1. Even before the trial began, it had been determined that Jesus must die (Mark 14:1; John 11:50). There was no “innocent until proven guilty” approach.
2. False witnesses were sought to testify against Jesus (Matthew 26:59). Usually the religious leaders went through an elaborate system of screening witnesses to ensure justice.
3. No defense for Jesus was sought or allowed (Luke 22:67-71).
4. The trial was conducted at night (Mark 14:53-65; 15:1), which was illegal according to the religious leaders’ own laws.
5. The high priest put Jesus under oath, but then incriminated him for what he said (Matthew 26:63-66).
6. Cases involving such serious charges were to be tried only in the high council’s regular meeting place, not in the high priest’s home (Mark 14:53-65).
The religious leaders were not interested in giving Jesus a fair trial. In their minds, Jesus had to die. This blind obsession led them to pervert the justice they were appointed to protect. Above are many examples of the actions taken by the religious leaders that were illegal according to their own laws.