I suppose the question is what you or I would have done if we were in their situation. They all gave their reasons, but the truth was that they were doing what they felt they had to do to get by. And it’s easy to blame the Roman authorities, like Pilate, who went along with it and actually performed the crucifixion. It’s easy to be critical of the Jewish religious and political leaders who railroaded Jesus to the cross. 53) They were successful in their plan, as Jesus would be soon nailed to the cross and crucified. 50) “Then, from that day on, they plotted to put Him (Jesus) to death.” (v. He stated “that it is expedient that one man should die for the people.” (v. They said, “If we let Him (Jesus) alone like this, everyone will believe Him, and the Romans will come and take away both our place and our nation.” (John 11:48)Ĭaiaphas, the high priest, had the solution. Why? The answer while hid behind a religious guise, was a pragmatic one. The religious leaders decided that something must be done. He didn’t even protest the Roman taxation, stating to “render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s.” But the common Jewish folk were flocking to Jesus, and it was becoming a threat to the religious establishment. It was interesting that Jesus wasn’t preaching rebellion against Rome, but peace and forgiveness. There were even reports of miracles being done by Jesus. Now, the Jewish religious leaders, called the Pharisees, were concerned about a new person, Jesus of Galilee, who was exciting the common people with his message of God’s love and forgiveness. It seemed like someone was always trying to stir up trouble, resisting Rome and its oppression. And, more than likely, the Jewish leaders would find their positions crushed along with those rebelling against Rome.īeing ruled by Rome, and the high taxes that the Jewish people were being forced to pay, created an atmosphere of unrest. History had shown that any uprising or disturbance would be met with force by the Roman military. But if you didn’t, they would come in and crush you.
The Romans just wanted their tax money and they didn’t want any problems. Keeping the powers in Rome satisfied was simple, but not easy. But they knew that their status and lifestyles depended upon keeping the Roman government satisfied.
Compared to most of the rest of the Jews living in Judea and Galilee, they were doing quite well. Of course, being the Jewish elite ruling class had its own rewards, both financially and status wise. The rock was the Roman government, and the hard place was the constant tension caused by the common Jewish citizens. Being a Jewish religious and political leader in Jerusalem in the early first century was a tough job. They were between a rock and a hard place.