What was the Sanhedrin's verdict toward Jesus?

• A. They declared him a Messiah
• B. They found him guilty of blasphemy
• C. They exiled him from the temple
• D. They executed him themselves

Answer: (B)

The key idea here is the charge the Sanhedrin brought against Jesus and what that charge meant under Jewish law. They argued that Jesus had committed blasphemy by claiming a unique, divine relationship with God—essentially, that he spoke with authority equal to God. Under their law, blasphemy was a capital offense, which is why the council sought the death penalty.

However, the Sanhedrin did not have the authority to execute someone under Roman rule, so they could convict Jesus of blasphemy and condemn him in their own court, but the execution had to be carried out by the Romans. That’s why, after the verdict, Jesus was handed over to Pontius Pilate, who ordered crucifixion.

So the correct understanding is that the Sanhedrin’s verdict was blasphemy, not declaring him a Messiah, exiling him, or executing him themselves.