2009-09-10T14:46:48-05:00 GCI info@gospel.com /feeds/topics/council/ http://biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%2010:17-18&version=NIV 2009-09-10T14:46:48-05:00 Jesus tells his disciples that they should expect to be dragged in front of local councils and synagogues to be flogged and beaten. In putting themselves in these positions they will act as witnesses for Jesus. http://biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+26:59&version=NIV 2009-09-10T14:31:14-05:00 The Sanhedrin that governed in Jesus' time was one of the principal players in his execution. The Sanhedrin was a group of religious leaders appointed to be judges for the people. While not traditionally involved in such shady practices as falsifying evidence in order to bring about someone's death, Jesus was doing much to disrupt their work and undermine their authority.