Caiaphas, perceiving the influence that was obtaining, hastened the trial. The enemies of Jesus were in great perplexity. They were bent on securing His condemnation, but how to accomplish this they knew not. The members of the council were divided between the Pharisees and the Sadducees. There was bitter animosity and controversy between them; certain disputed points they dared not approach for fear of a quarrel. With a few words Jesus could have excited their prejudices against each other, and thus have averted their wrath from Himself. Caiaphas knew this, and he wished to avoid stirring up a contention. There were plenty of witnesses to prove that Christ had denounced the priests and scribes, that He had called them hypocrites and murderers; but this testimony it was not expedient to bring forward. The Sadducees in their sharp contentions with the Pharisees had used to them similar language. And such testimony would have no weight with the Romans, who were themselves disgusted with the pretensions of the Pharisees. There was abundant evidence that Jesus had disregarded the traditions of the Jews, and had spoken irreverently of many of their ordinances; but in regard to tradition the Pharisees and Sadducees were at swords' points; and this evidence also would have no weight with the Romans. Christ's enemies dared not accuse Him of Sabbathbreaking, lest an examination should reveal the character of His work. If His miracles of healing were brought to light, the very object of the priests would be defeated.

Kajfas, der lagde mærke til den indflydelse, der gjorde sig gældende, fremskyndede forhøret. Der herskede stor forvirring blandt Jesu fjender. Det var deres faste beslutning at sikre sig, at han blev dømt, men de vidste ikke, hvordan det skulle lade sig gøre. Rådets medlemmer var delt mellem farisæerne og saddukæerne. Der var bittert fjendskab og strid imellem dem. Der var visse omdiskuterede punkter, som de ikke turde komme ind på af frygt for at komme i skænderi. Jesus kunne med ganske få ord have vakt deres fordomme mod hinanden og kunne på denne måde have vendt deres vrede bort fra ham selv. Dette vidste Kajfas godt, og han ønskede at undgå at vække strid. Der var rigeligt af vidner, der kunne bevise, at Kristus havde fordømt præsterne og de skriftkloge, at han havde kaldt dem hyklere og mordere; men det var ikke hensigtsmæssigt at fremkomme med dette vidnesbyrd. Saddukæerne havde under deres hårde fejder med farisæerne brugt lignende udtryk over for dem, og den slags vidnesbyrd ville ikke betyde noget over for romerne, der selv følte afsky for farisæernes hykleri. Der var mange beviser for, at Jesus havde vist ligegyldighed for jødernes overleveringer og havde talt uden ærbødighed om mange af deres forordninger; men med hensyn til overleveringerne stod farisæerne og saddukæerne skarpt over for hinanden. Og heller ikke dette vidnesbyrd ville have nogen vægt over for romerne. Kristi fjender vovede ikke at anklage ham for at bryde sabbatten, for at ikke en undersøgelse af sagen skulle komme til at afsløre, af hvad art hans gerning var. Hvis hans helbredelsesundere kom frem for dagens lys, ville selve hensigten med præsternes forehavende lide nederlag.