Caiaphas then bade Jesus work one of His mighty miracles before them. But the Saviour gave no sign that He 115 heard a word. Had He responded by even one soul-searching look, such as He gave the buyers and sellers in the temple, the whole murderous throng would have been compelled to flee from His presence. The Jews were at this time subject to the Romans, and were not allowed to punish any one with death. The Sanhedrin could only examine the prisoner, and pass judgment to be ratified by the Roman authorities.

Kajfas befalede nu Jesus at udføre et af sine mægtige mirakler for deres øjne. Men Frelseren lod ikke til at have hørt et ord af det. Havde han svaret med et eneste hjerteransagende blik som det, han sendte dem, der købte og solgte i helligdommen, ville hele morderskaren være blevet tvunget til at flygte for hans åsyn. Jøderne var på dette tidspunkt under romernes herredømme og havde ikke lov til at straffe nogen med døden. Det store råd kunne blot forhøre fangen og afsige dommen, som så skulle stadfæstes af den romerske øvrighed.