Sanhedrin: Difference between revisions

The Great Sanhedrin in Jerusalem was composed of 70 members, a tradition traced back to the appointment of 70 elders by [[Moses]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Numbers+11%3A16-24&version=NIV |title=Numbers 11:16–24 |publisher= |quote= }}</ref><ref>[https://www.blueletterbible.org/faq/don_stewart/don_stewart_1313.cfm. What Was the Sanhedrin?], ''Blue Letter Bible''</ref> While local assemblies of elders existed in earlier times to handle disputes and guide communities,<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2+Chronicles+19%3A7-20&version=NIV |title=2 Chronicles 19:7–20 |publisher= |quote= }}</ref> a fully-fledged institution resembling the Sanhedrin did not emerge until later. After the [[Babylonian Captivity|Babylonian exile]], [[Ezra (Bible)|Ezra]], the scribe and priest, along with [[Nehemiah]], gathered governors and elders to form a governing body for guiding the people.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ezra+10%3A7-8&version=NIV |title=Ezra 10:7–8 |publisher= |quote= }}</ref> This body is believed to have evolved into the Sanhedrin during the period between the Old Testament and New Testament. After the prophet [[Book of Malachi|Malachi]], no prophet who directly proclaimed [[God]]’s word appeared for about 400 years until [[Jesus Christ]] preached the [[gospel]]. During this time, the Jewish people relied on the Sanhedrin to make decisions on their affairs.