Matthew and Mark: During the night. After his arrest, which probably occurred not later than midnight, they at once "led him away to Caiaphas the high priest, where ... the chief priests, and elders, and all the council [Sanhedrim]" had assembled, when his trial immediately began (Matt. xxvi, 57-68; Mark xiv, 58-65). Luke: Not until the next morning. During the night he was held in custody at the house of the high priest. "As soon as it was day, the elders of the people and the chief priests and the scribes came together, and led him into the council" (xxii, 66). This, according to Luke, was his first and only appearance before the Sanhedrim. Matthew and Mark, in addition to the night trial mentioned by them, also mention an adjourned session in the morning corresponding to the meeting of Luke. 307 Could this trial have been held in the night as stated by Matthew and Mark? It could not. The Jewish law prohibited the opening of a trial at night. The Sanhedrim could not hold a session before 6 a. m. or after 3 p. m. Luke was seemingly acquainted with this law; Matthew and Mark were not. 308 During what religious festivities was his trial held? Synoptics: During the feast of the Passover. It could not have been held during the Passover, for no trials were held by the Jews during this feast. 309 On what day of the week was it held? Synoptics: On Friday, the day preceding the Sabbath. No trial for a capital offense was ever allowed to begin on the day preceding the Sabbath. 310 How long did this trial last? All: But a few hours. The Jewish law required at least two days for a capital trial--one for prosecution, and one for the defense. 311 Did he have a defender or counselor in the Sanhedrim? Synoptics: He did not. According to the Synoptics he had no counsel, and the Sanhedrim were unanimous in their condemnation of him. This was contrary to Jewish law. The Sanhedrim might be unanimous in their belief that he was guilty, but it was the duty of at least one of them to defend him. This was the law: "If none of the judges defend the culprit, i. e., all pronounce him guilty, having no defender in the court, the verdict of guilty was invalid and the sentence of death could not be executed" (Maimonides). Dr. Geikie admits that the trial of Jesus before the Sanhedrim, as related in the Gospels, was in nearly every particular contrary to Jewish law. He says: