Final answer:
The Great Sanhedrin was a Jewish council that met in Jerusalem, adjacent to the Temple. It consisted of 71 members and had the power to adjudicate both civil and criminal cases.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Great Sanhedrin was a Jewish council or court that met in Jerusalem. It was the highest Jewish legal and religious authority in the first century CE. The exact location where the Great Sanhedrin met is not known, but it is believed to have convened in a building adjacent to the Temple. This allowed the members of the Sanhedrin to have easy access to the Temple for rituals and sacrifices.
The Great Sanhedrin consisted of 71 members. The members of the Sanhedrin were drawn from the ranks of the high priests, elders, and experts in Jewish law. The high priest was the presiding officer of the Sanhedrin. Other members included chief priests, scribes, and elders. The Sanhedrin had the power to adjudicate both civil and criminal cases, and its decisions were considered binding on all Jews.