--> @Shila
The charge of blasphemy by the High Priests did not hold up in the Roman court.
Yes, I know. And I think that should say "wouldn't" hold up.
The charge of blasphemy by the High Priests did not hold up in the Roman court. So another charge of rebellion was used to convict Jesus.
The charge of blasphemy by the High Priests did not hold up in the Roman court because blasphemy was not considered a crime. Even the charge of rebellion failed in Pilates view.
Jesus was even found innocent by Pilate. Yet the crucifixion was carried through. Jesus had predicted his death.
Luke 23:13 Pilate called together the chief priests, the rulers and the people, 14 and said to them, “You brought me this man as one who was inciting the people to rebellion. I have examined him in your presence and have found no basis for your charges against him. 15 Neither has Herod, for he sent him back to us; as you can see, he has done nothing to deserve death. 16 Therefore, I will punish him and then release him.”
And I shall keep your response in mind. But like I have said, those points can be taken up another time on another thread.
This thread is concerned only with these two anonymous "certain witnesses".
There were several witnesses testifying falsely against Jesus. But the Gospels tell us The chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin were looking for evidence against Jesus so that they could put him to death.
Mark 14: 55 The chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin were looking for evidence against Jesus so that they could put him to death, but they did not find any. 56 Many testified falsely against him, but their statements did not agree.
57 Then some stood up and gave this false testimony against him: 58 “We heard him say, ‘I will destroy this temple made with human hands and in three days will build another, not made with hands.’” 59 Yet even then their testimony did not agree.
60 Then the high priest stood up before them and asked Jesus, “Are you not going to answer? What is this testimony that these men are bringing against you?” 61 But Jesus remained silent and gave no answer.
Even Jesus proved to be a bad witness.
The same is reported in Matthew. The High Priest and Sanhedrin were looking for false evidence against Jesus so that they could put him to death.
Matthew 26:59 The chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin were looking for false evidence against Jesus so that they could put him to death. 60 But they did not find any, though many false witnesses came forward.
Finally two came forward 61 and declared, “This fellow said, ‘I am able to destroy the temple of God and rebuild it in three days.’”
62 Then the high priest stood up and said to Jesus, “Are you not going to answer? What is this testimony that these men are bringing against you?” 63 But Jesus remained silent.
Matthew reports the Sanhedrin’s accepted the testimony of two unnamed witness who repeated what Jesus has said.
But it appears there were others who heard Jesus say, “I am able to destroy the temple of God and rebuild it in three days.’”
Matthew 27:38 Two rebels were crucified with him, one on his right and one on his left. 39 Those who passed by hurled insults at him, shaking their heads 40 and saying, “You who are going to destroy the temple and build it in three days, save yourself! Come down from the cross, if you are the Son of God!”
John 2:19 Jesus answered them, “Destroy this temple, and I will raise it again in three days.”
So Matthew should not consider them false witnesses. They only repeated what Jesus said.
Besides the charge of blasphemy by the High Priests did not hold up in the Roman court, anyways.