The Bible has been proven reliable historically, contrary to the claims of those who do not want to accept the archaeological evidence that authenticates the validity of the Scriptures.
Using the Bible to investigate the claims that the Jewish authorities were responsible for the death of Jesus of Nazareth and the Roman authorities were the acting agents, we learn that the Romans reigned over Jerusalem at the time.
Using the Bible to investigate the claims that the Jewish authorities were responsible for the death of Jesus of Nazareth and the Roman authorities were the acting agents, we learn that the Romans reigned over Jerusalem at the time.
- In the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, Pontius Pilate being governor of Judea, and Herod being tetrarch of Galilee, and his brother Philip tetrarch of the region of Ituraea and Trachonitis, and Lysanias tetrarch of Abilene, in the high-priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came to John the son of Zechariah in the wilderness; and he went into all the region about the Jordan, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. (Luke 3:1-3)
Apparently, certain priests and scribes were seeking to kill Jesus, because he had rubbed them up the wrong way. Jesus had challenged many leaders of the Jews about their hypocrisy. But they were fearful of raising the ire of the people who believed in Him, if they arrested Jesus and then made public accusations against Him that they could not prove. Previous attempts to trap Jesus into saying something that they could justify as a sin were futile.
- And they tried to arrest him, but feared the multitude, for they perceived that he had told the parable against them; so they left him and went away. And they sent to him some of the Pharisees and some of the Hero′di-ans, to entrap him in his talk. And they came and said to him, “Teacher, we know that you are true, and care for no man; for you do not regard the position of men, but truly teach the way of God. Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not? Should we pay them, or should we not?” But knowing their hypocrisy, he said to them, “Why put me to the test? Bring me a coin, and let me look at it.” And they brought one. And he said to them, “Whose likeness and inscription is this?” They said to him, “Caesar’s.” Jesus said to them, “Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” And they were amazed at him. (Mark 12:12-17)
The attempt to fit Jesus up, using a woman, whom they claimed had been caught in adultery, also failed (John 8:1-9). The manner in which Jesus foiled their ploy really made the hypocrites rankle bitterly within. It is one thing to knife someone in the back, but when a person is being knifed from within his own conscience: the festering pain of hatred does not go away.
- It was now two days before the Passover and the feast of Unleavened Bread. And the chief priests and the scribes were seeking how to arrest him by stealth, and kill him; for they said, “Not during the feast, lest there be a tumult of the people.” (Mark 14:1-2)
As fate would have it, Judas Iscariot decided to betray Jesus and assist the chief priests. The chief priest appears to have finally had enough and made the final decision to condemn Jesus to death.
- Judas Iscariot, who was one of the twelve, went to the chief priests in order to betray him to them. And when they heard it they were glad, and promised to give him money. And he sought an opportunity to betray him.(Mark 14:10)
- Judas came, one of the twelve, and with him a crowd with swords and clubs, from the chief priests and the scribes and the elders. Now the betrayer had given them a sign, saying, “The one I shall kiss is the man; seize him and lead him away under guard.”…. And they laid hands on him and seized him.…And they led Jesus to the high priest; and all the chief priests and the elders and the scribes were assembled.… Now the chief priests and the whole council sought testimony against Jesus to put him to death; but they found none. For many bore false witness against him, and their witness did not agree. And some stood up and bore false witness against him, saying, “We heard him say, ‘I will destroy this temple that is made with hands, and in three days I will build another, not made with hands.’” Yet not even so did their testimony agree. And the high priest stood up in the midst, and asked Jesus, “Have you no answer to make? What is it that these men testify against you?” But he was silent and made no answer. Again the high priest asked him, “Are you the Christ, the Son of the Blessed?” And Jesus said, “I am; and you will see the Son of man seated at the right hand of Power, and coming with the clouds of heaven.” And the high priest tore his garments, and said, “Why do we still need witnesses? You have heard his blasphemy. What is your decision?” And they all condemned him as deserving death. (Mark 14:43-64)
So that the chief priests could wipe their hands of Jesus’ murder, they decided to ask the Romans to execute Him.
- And as soon as it was morning the chief priests, with the elders and scribes, and the whole council held a consultation; and they bound Jesus and led him away and delivered him to Pilate. And Pilate asked him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” And he answered him, “You have said so.” And the chief priests accused him of many things. And Pilate again asked him, “Have you no answer to make? See how many charges they bring against you.” But Jesus made no further answer, so that Pilate wondered. Now at the feast he used to release for them one prisoner for whom they asked. And among the rebels in prison, who had committed murder in the insurrection, there was a man called Barab′bas. And the crowd came up and began to ask Pilate to do as he was wont to do for them. And he answered them, “Do you want me to release for you the King of the Jews?” For he perceived that it was out of envy that the chief priests had delivered him up. But the chief priests stirred up the crowd to have him release for them Barabbas instead. And Pilate again said to them, “Then what shall I do with the man whom you call the King of the Jews?” And they cried out again, “Crucify him.” And Pilate said to them, “Why, what evil has he done?” But they shouted all the more, “Crucify him.” So Pilate, wishing to satisfy the crowd, released for them Barabbas; and having scourged Jesus, he delivered him to be crucified. And the soldiers led him away inside the palace (that is, the praetorium); and they called together the whole battalion. And they clothed him in a purple cloak, and plaiting a crown of thorns they put it on him. And they began to salute him, “Hail, King of the Jews!” And they struck his head with a reed, and spat upon him, and they knelt down in homage to him. And when they had mocked him, they stripped him of the purple cloak, and put his own clothes on him. And they led him out to crucify him. (Mark 15:1-20)
Jesus was crucified with the title “King of the Jews” being placed over him.
- And the inscription of the charge against him read, “The King of the Jews.” And with him they crucified two robbers, one on his right and one on his left. (Mark 15:26-27)
Herod found Jesus not guilty of anything. But from the book of Luke, we learn that Barabbas was also sentenced for sedition, as well as murder. This made it convenient for Pilate to sentence Jesus in place of Barabbas.
- When Pilate heard this, he asked whether the man was a Galilean. And when he learned that he belonged to Herod’s jurisdiction, he sent him over to Herod, who was himself in Jerusalem at that time. When Herod saw Jesus, he was very glad, for he had long desired to see him, because he had heard about him, and he was hoping to see some sign done by him. So he questioned him at some length; but he made no answer. The chief priests and the scribes stood by, vehemently accusing him. And Herod with his soldiers treated him with contempt and mocked him; then, arraying him in gorgeous apparel, he sent him back to Pilate. And Herod and Pilate became friends with each other that very day, for before this they had been at enmity with each other. Pilate then called together the chief priests and the rulers and the people, and said to them, “You brought me this man as one who was perverting the people; and after examining him before you, behold, I did not find this man guilty of any of your charges against him; neither did Herod, for he sent him back to us. Behold, nothing deserving death has been done by him; I will therefore chastise him and release him.” But they all cried out together, “Away with this man, and release to us Barabbas”—a man who had been thrown into prison for an insurrection started in the city, and for murder.
From the book of Mark, the evidence appears to be that Pilate saw that it was politically expedient to appease the Jews, lest there be a riot in Jerusalem, even though he did not really believe Jesus was guilty of anything. Nevertheless, by crucifying Jesus in the place of Barabbas, everything could be done very quickly.
The fact that Jesus was crucified for attempting to usurp the authorities by claiming that he was king of the Jews suggested to the public that He was executed for sedition in place of Barabbas, who was released. This way both the Jewish authorities and Pilate felt they were exonerated for His crucifixion. The Jews could blame the Romans. And Pilate could point to sedition as the reason for Jesus’ execution. Such were the Machiavelians in the days of Jesus’ time on Earth.
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