At the center of the Passion Sunday gospel narrative is Jesus’ “trial” before the council of the chief priests and scribes. The outcome is foreordained -- it’s the textbook definition of a kangaroo court, as the religious leaders are clearly threatened and looking for any pretense that will convince the civil authorities of the necessity of eliminating Jesus. In the absence of an immediate political threat, Pilate and Herod uncomfortably pass Jesus back and forth (John even includes the intriguing detail that Pilate and Herod are former enemies who that very day have become fast friends).
