The Sanhedrin.

The word Sanhedrin is not found in our English New Testament, but in the Greek

original repeated mention is made of a council or court composed of the chief priests, elders,

and scribes. This council is not spoken of in the Old Testament; it probably arose during the

Intertestamental Period, possibly in the Maccabaean epoch. It included seventy-one members

chosen from the three groups most influential with the people. The high priest was always

one of its two presidents. The place of its meeting is not certain; the Talmud indicates that it

was the Hall of Hewn Stone in the temple, but Josephus mentions the meeting place as

outside the temple. The membership included both Sadducees and Pharisees.

During New Testament times it had authority in religious and most civil matters, and

limited authority in criminal matters. In cases involving capital punishment, approval of the

Roman procurator, or governor, was required before execution of the sentence. Regularly

there were no sessions at night, or on a Sabbath day. A sentence of capital punishment could

not be passed on the day of the trial. The decision of the judges had to be examined on the

following day.