Sanhedrim

The Sanhedrin (Greek synedrion, a sitting together, or council; rendered "council" in the AV) was the supreme judicial and administrative council of the Jewish people during the Second Temple period and beyond. According to Jewish tradition it originated with Moses (Num. 11:16), but in its classical form it was a body of 71 members presided over by the high priest, meeting in the Hall of Hewn Stone near the Jerusalem temple. It had authority over religious law, civil matters within Roman-permitted limits, and could impose capital punishment by stoning (though crucifixion required Roman authorization, as in Jesus' case). Its membership included chief priests, elders, and scribes, representing both Sadducean and Pharisaic factions. The Sanhedrin is frequently encountered in the New Testament: it tried Jesus (Matt. 26:59; Mark 15:1), condemned Stephen to stoning (Acts 6:12–15; 7:57–58), examined Peter and John (Acts 4:5–22), and tried Paul (Acts 22:30–23:10). Its authority was extinguished with the fall of Jerusalem in AD 70.