Expert: Dean Gade - 6/29/2009

Question
Who were the magistrates during Jesus' life?

Answer
There were many magistrates during Jesus' life even if you limit them to the ruler in the "holy land".

Jesus walked on earth during the time of the Pax Romana; when Rome ruled most of the world around the Mediterranean Sea.  Thus the "magistrates" included Roman civil rulers and courts mentioned in the Bible.

Besides these there were the Sanhedrin (Pharisees, Saddusees, priests, etc) who had authority in that country even though they were under Roman authority.

The word "magistrates" can be very general and it is used infrequently in the KJV of the New Testament:

Lk 12:11
11 And when they bring you unto the synagogues, and unto magistrates , and powers, take ye no thought how or what thing ye shall answer, or what ye shall say:
KJV

Tit 3:1
3:1 Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates , to be ready to every good work,
KJV