The Trial of Jesus Christ by One Catholic Lawyer

Nicodemus was a rich Pharisee and a ruler of the Jews who met with Jesus and who helped bury Jesus.  Many have questioned his faith over the years, but many others see him as a believer, though one in development.  I wanted to crawl under his skin and see what he saw and why he did what he did.  In this first of two parts, we unpack what the Gospel of John says about him -- his meeting with Jesus at night, his defense of Jesus at Sukkoth, and his lavish burial of Jesus.  On careful reading, each of these incidents tells us much about him.  He turns out to be an extraordinary figure worthy of our contemplation and admiration.

John's Gospel records Jesus as having told His mother to "behold her son" and John to "behold his mother."  Many Church Fathers and other commentators say that Jesus was acting as a good son in taking care of His mother before He died.  But is this really the case?  Do John's words mean something different?  Why did Jesus call Mary "Woman," and not "Mother?"  Is there an echo to Cana?  To Genesis?  If so, what does that tell us about the relationship between John and Mary and who they represent?  (The last in a four-part series on "The Women at the Cross.")

Who were these wealthy women who followed Jesus and supported him out of their means?  What can we know about Joanna, the aristocratic wife of Herod's steward, Chuza?  Was she the one whom Paul called "outstanding among the apostles" after spending time with her in prison in Rome?

Mary of Clopus was at the Cross.  Who was she and who was Clopus?  Mary Magdalen was there, too.  Was she the "Sinner Woman" mentioned elsewhere in the Gospels?  And another Mary was there, too, Mary, the Mother of James and Joses.  What do we know about her?  And finally, Salome, who was she?  Join us for Part 2 of a four-part series on "The Women at the Cross."

Jesus’ followers included many women from Galilee who supported him out of their means.  They followed him to Calvary.  Who were these extraordinary women and what do the different Gospel accounts say about them?  Did Jesus have an "Aunt Mary" who was there, too?  Join us for this Part 1 of a four-part series on "The Women at the Cross."

Who was the Centurion at the foot of the Cross? What do we know about centurions in history and in Scripture? What do we make of his words, "Truly, this was God's Son?"

Who were the two criminals executed along with Jesus?  What do we know about robbers then?  What do the legends say?  Why did one repent?  What did Jesus mean when he said he would be with him in Paradise that day?

How did crucifixion originate?  Why did the Romans use it? How was it done?  How was it done to Jesus? What figures did Jesus meet along the way?  What day was he crucified on? What is the significance of that day in relation to the Passover Feast?

What happened at Jesus’ trial before Pilate?  Why did Pilate think he was innocent? Why did Pilate send Jesus to Herod?  Who was Herod? Why did Herod send Jesus back to Pilate? Why did Pilate have Jesus scourged?  Why did Pilate have him crucified? 

Who was Pontius Pilate?  Why was he involved? What was his role in conducting trials?  What laws did he care about? What laws did he not care about? Who did he really fear, and why?