The primary responsibility of the Sanhedrin was to oversee the Temple service and make sure that everything was done in accordance with the Law. They were responsible for answering all questions relating to religious law. They supervised various rituals and traditions, including the burning of the Red Heifer .

The Sanhedrin is traditionally viewed as the last institution which commanded universal authority among the Jewish people in the long chain of tradition from Moses until the present day. Since its dissolution in 358 CE, there has been no universally recognized authority within Jewish law (Halakha).

Nasi (president)

Melchizedek, also spelled Melchisedech, in the Hebrew Bible (Old Testament), a figure of importance in biblical tradition because he was both king and priest, was connected with Jerusalem, and was revered by Abraham, who paid a tithe to him. In return, Abraham gives him a tithe of the booty.

The Sanhedrin was originally one of the principal forces in Israel, both in politics and in religion. Their members were involved with governing the people, functioning as a high court, and in controlling the worship of the Lord upon the Temple mount.

The Sanhedrin and the Crucifixion of Jesus During the time of Roman governors such as Pontius Pilate , the Sanhedrin had jurisdiction only over the province of Judea. The Sanhedrin had its own police force that could arrest people, as they did Jesus Christ .

The Sanhedrin would function as an equal legislative body to a democratically elected body, but it would also function as a supreme judicial body with regard to interpreting basic law, or what they call a ” Torah Constitution”.