Tower of Antonia
On Friday, April 7th, between one and five o’clock a. m., according to the harmony we follow, Jesus was led to Annas and then to Caiaphas.—John 18:13–15. We have an account of this visit to Caiaphas from Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. He was then brought before the Sanhedrin During his trial before this body Peter denied him. Jesus was mocked by his enemies, and between five and six o’clock on Friday morning was condemned by the Sanhedrin for blasphemy. Just after this Judas killed himself. Jesus was brought before Pilate charged with sedition and then sent to Herod. Pilate sought to release him, but in vain. Jesus was then condemned, and mocked and scourged by soldiers.—Matthew 27:36–40; Luke 23:24–25; John 19:1–3. Soon after Jesus was led away to be crucified. We have an account of this surrender in all four of the Gospels. The path which Jesus took from the Sanhedrin to Calvary is known as the Way of Sorrows—the Via Dolorosa. The first station in this sad journey is the Tower of Antonia. Of course, we can not be certain as to its location. According to Colonel Wilson, its present position was assigned it during the period of the Crusaders. Here dwelt the powers representing the Roman Empire, powers competent to deliver the gentle victim of Jewish hate from the ignominious death to which He was doomed. Rome represented the world of human glory and wealth, of enterprise and conquest. What had that world in that day to do with a meek Galilean teacher, who professed to have been sent by the Father of men to teach his children upon the earth meekness, forbearance, patience and love?
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