neuter of a presumed derivative of a compound of σύν and the base of ἑδραῖος; a joint session, i.e. (specially), the Jewish Sanhedrin; by analogy, a subordinate tribunal:--council.
### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek term `{{G4892}}` (synédrion), transliterated as *synédrion*, is derived from the compound of σύν (syn), meaning "with" or "together," and ἕδρα (hedra), meaning "a seat" or "a sitting." Thus, its core meaning is "a sitting together" or "an assembly of persons sitting together for deliberation."
Its semantic range encompasses:
1. **A Council or Assembly:** A general term for any deliberative or judicial body.
2. **The Jewish Sanhedrin:** Most commonly, it refers specifically to the supreme judicial and administrative council of the Jews in Jerusalem, known as the Great Sanhedrin. It also applies to the smaller, local tribunals or councils found in other Jewish cities.
3. **The Place of Meeting:** By extension, it could also denote the place where such a council convened.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term `{{G4892}}` appears frequently in the Gospels and the Book of Acts, almost exclusively in reference to Jewish judicial bodies.
1. **The Great Sanhedrin in Jerusalem:** This powerful body played a central role in the trials and condemnation of Jesus and the early apostles.
* **Jesus' Trial:** Jesus was brought before the Sanhedrin after His arrest, where He faced accusations, false witnesses, and ultimately, a charge of blasphemy that led to His condemnation ([[Matthew 26:59]], [[Mark 14:55]], [[Luke 22:66]]). This event marks a critical turning point in the Gospels, highlighting the rejection of the Messiah by the religious leadership.
* **Peter and John:** Following the healing of the lame man, Peter and John were arrested and brought before the Sanhedrin, where they boldly declared their allegiance to Christ despite threats and prohibitions against preaching in Jesus' name ([[Acts 4:15]], [[Acts 5:21]], [[Acts 5:27]]).
* **Stephen:** Stephen was seized and brought before the Sanhedrin on false charges, where he delivered a powerful defense recounting Israel's history of rebellion against God, culminating in his martyrdom ([[Acts 6:12]], [[Acts 6:15]]).
* **Paul:** Paul frequently encountered the Sanhedrin, both as a persecutor of Christians (implied in his commission from the high priest) and later as an apostle on trial ([[Acts 22:30]], [[Acts 23:1]], [[Acts 23:6]], [[Acts 23:15]], [[Acts 24:20]]). His appearance before the council in Jerusalem led to a division among the Pharisees and Sadducees and a plot against his life.
2. **Local Sanhedrins/Councils:** Jesus' teachings also refer to these subordinate tribunals.
* In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus warns against anger and contempt, stating that "whoever says, 'You fool!' will be liable to the hell of fire" (literally, "liable to the Gehenna of fire"), drawing a parallel to the escalating judgments from the local court (synédrion) to the supreme court and finally to divine judgment ([[Matthew 5:22]]). This emphasizes the seriousness of inner attitudes.
* Jesus also prophesied that His disciples would be delivered over to "councils" and flogged in synagogues as they proclaimed the gospel ([[Matthew 10:17]], [[Mark 13:9]]). These prophecies were fulfilled in the experiences of the apostles, as seen in Acts.
### Related Words & Concepts
The term `{{G4892}}` is intrinsically linked to the judicial and religious structures of first-century Judaism.
* **Leadership Roles:** Members of the Sanhedrin often included `{{G758}}` (archiereus - high priest), `{{G4245}}` (presbyteros - elders), and `{{G1129}}` (grammateus - scribes).
* **Judicial Processes:** The function of the synédrion involved `{{G2920}}` (krinō - to judge) and making `{{G2917}}` (krisis - judgments or decisions). While not directly synonymous, the Roman `{{G966}}` (bēma - judgment seat) represents a similar concept of a judicial forum, albeit under a different authority.
* **Assemblies:** While `{{G1577}}` (ekklesia - assembly, church) also denotes a gathering, its theological and functional meaning is distinct from `{{G4892}}`. The Old Testament concept of `{{H6951}}` (qahal - assembly, congregation) provides a broader historical context for communal gatherings in Israel.
* **Authority and Law:** The synédrion represented the highest human authority under Roman rule for Jewish religious and often civil matters, embodying the application of the Law (`{{G3551}}` - nomos).
### Theological Significance
The encounters with the `{{G4892}}` hold profound theological significance:
* **Clash of Kingdoms:** The frequent appearance of the Sanhedrin underscores the fundamental conflict between the earthly, institutionalized religious authority of Judaism and the divine authority embodied by Jesus Christ and His nascent church. The Sanhedrin, representing the established order, consistently rejected God's new work in Christ.
* **Prophetic Fulfillment and Divine Foreknowledge:** Jesus' explicit warnings that His followers would be brought before "councils" ([[Matthew 10:17]], [[Mark 13:9]]) were literally fulfilled in the experiences of the apostles. This demonstrates Jesus' divine foreknowledge and the predetermined nature of the opposition the gospel would face.
* **Injustice and Persecution:** The trials conducted by the Sanhedrin, particularly that of Jesus, epitomize profound injustice. They reveal the spiritual blindness and hardened hearts of those who, despite their religious position, failed to recognize or actively suppressed the truth of God revealed in Christ. These events serve as a paradigm for the persecution faced by believers throughout history.
* **Divine Sovereignty Amidst Human Opposition:** Despite the immense power wielded by the Sanhedrin and their determined efforts to thwart God's plan, their actions ultimately served God's sovereign purposes. The condemnation and crucifixion of Jesus, orchestrated by the Sanhedrin, became the means of atonement for sin. Their attempts to silence the apostles inadvertently led to the wider dissemination of the gospel as believers scattered.
* **The Nature of True Authority:** The apostles' courageous declarations before the Sanhedrin, such as "We must obey God rather than men" ([[Acts 5:29]]), profoundly illustrate that ultimate authority resides not in human institutions, even religious ones, but in God alone. It challenges believers to discern and adhere to divine mandates above all human decrees.
### Summary
The Greek term `{{G4892}}` (synédrion), meaning "a sitting together" or "council," primarily denotes the Jewish Sanhedrin, both the supreme council in Jerusalem and local tribunals. Its prominence in the New Testament narratives, particularly in the trials of Jesus, Stephen, Peter, John, and Paul, highlights the direct confrontation between the emerging Christian movement and the established religious authority of the day. These encounters are replete with theological significance, illustrating the clash of kingdoms, the fulfillment of prophecy, the reality of injustice and persecution, and ultimately, the unwavering sovereignty of God in advancing His purposes despite human opposition. The synédrion thus serves as a powerful symbol of human resistance to divine truth and the ultimate triumph of God's will.
TRV