The Sanhedrin was the religious and legal supreme court of the Jewish people during the time of Jesus.
Some people have speculated that the Sanhedrin might have orignated during the time of Moses, or during the days of King Jehoshaphat.
The council had 70 to 72 members and consisted of the High Priest, who was president; the heads of the 24 priestly service divisions; the Scribes and lawyers; and the elders who were representatives of the laity.
This is where Christ stood during His third trial. The Sanhedrin normally met in a semicircle with the prisoner standing in the midst, facing them.
Other political groups and community groups that wielded influence about 2,000 years ago in the land of Israel included the Galileans, Herodians, Pharisees and Sadducees.
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