A Forty-Day Study of John's Gospel

Why was Jesus executed?

Was he a lawbreaker?

He told those around him, “Anyone who breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 5:19).

Was he out to destroy Judaism, the religion of that part of the world?

He explained to the ultra-religious, those diligently striving to follow the Mosaic Law, “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets. I have not come to abolish them, but to fulfill them” (Matthew 5:17).

Was he a subversive?

He taught his audiences to pray for those who were persecuting them (Matthew 5:44). To those who had been wronged, he told them to turn the other cheek—and even to love one’s enemies (Matthew 5:39, 44).

He admonished people to give to the needy and to live in communion with God through prayer (Matthew 6:2, 5, 6). He taught reliance upon God for one’s daily provisions (Matthew 6:11). He was against greed, telling people to store up treasures in heaven, not on earth (Matthew 6:19).

Here is a man who equates anger with murder—one who spoke out against adultery, divorce, violence, and revenge.

And yet, he was executed as a criminal.

But maybe it wasn’t what he said that got him into trouble, but rather what he did.

What did Jesus do?

Mathew, one of his followers, writes:

“Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every disease and sickness among the people. News about Him spread all over Syria, and people brought to Him all who were ill with various diseases, those suffering acute pain, the demon-possessed, those having seizures, and the paralyzed—and He healed them” (Matthew 4:23–24).

Here is a man whose message is one of good news. He brought peace and blessings—and healing—to those around him.

And yet, he was considered a criminal, condemned, and executed.

Why?

All four of the Gospel writers provide us with descriptions of the events associated with his arrest, trial, and execution. They tell us that Jesus was arrested during the Jewish festival associated with Passover and was taken before the religious leaders in Jerusalem. We know that the Sanhedrin—equivalent to the supreme court of Judaism—was trying to rid themselves of Jesus of Nazareth.

Let’s read Matthew’s description of what happened:

"Those who had arrested Jesus led Him away to the house of Caiaphas the high priest, where the scribes and elders had gathered. But Peter followed Him at a distance, right up to the courtyard of the high priest. And he went in and sat down with the guards to see the outcome.

Now the chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin were seeking false testimony against Jesus in order to put Him to death. But they did not find any, though many false witnesses came forward.

Finally, two came forward and declared, “‘This man said, ‘I am able to destroy the temple of God and rebuild it in three days.’”

So the high priest stood up and asked Him, ‘Have You no answer? What are these men testifying against You?’

But Jesus remained silent” (Matthew 26:57–63).

Notice what is happening. There is a purposeful attempt to find something that would allow the Jewish leaders to condemn Jesus. They are not looking for some petty crime. They want him accused of something significant enough to require his execution. They want him dead and buried.

But he has done nothing wrong.

And throughout all of this, Jesus remains silent. They can’t even get him to incriminate himself.

And the sham trial continues:

“Then the high priest said to Him, “I charge You under oath by the living God: Tell us if You are the Christ, the Son of God” (Matthew 26:63b, emphasis added).

This is what it all boils down to. Does the man standing before the high priest consider himself to be the Christ? Is he the Son of God?

The fate of Jesus rests on how he answers the high priest—whether he lays claim to these two specific titles.

Now Jesus no longer remains silent.

“‘You have said it yourself,’ Jesus answered. ‘But I say to all of you, from now on you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of Power and coming on the clouds of heaven’” (Matthew 26:64).

The high priest reacts and responds to what he has just heard:

“At this, the high priest tore his clothes and declared, ‘He has blasphemed! Why do we need any more witnesses? Look, now you have heard the blasphemy. What do you think?’

‘He deserves to die,’ they answered” (Matthew 26:65–66).

Caiaphas’ question, and Jesus’ response will lead to Jesus’ death.

After Jesus’ appearance before Caiaphas, he is taken before the Sanhedrin—the religious ruling body of the Jews. Luke records this event:

“At daybreak the council of the elders of the people, both the chief priests and scribes, met together. They led Jesus into their Sanhedrin and said, ‘If You are the Christ, tell us.’

Jesus answered, ‘If I tell you, you will not believe. And if I ask you a question, you will not answer. But from now on the Son of Man will be seated at the right hand of the power of God.’

So they all asked, ‘Are You then the Son of God?’

He replied, ‘You say that I am.’

‘Why do we need any more testimony?’ they declared. ‘We have heard it for ourselves from His own lips’” (Luke 22:66–71).

We see those two terms again: “Christ” and “Son of God.”

What made the high priest’s questions and those of the Sanhedrin so important? And why was Jesus’ answer deemed to be so inflammatory?

What is meant by the terms “Christ” and “Son of God”? Where does Judaism get these? What do they imply? Why would this verbal exchange condemn Jesus to Roman crucifixion?

We are going to discover answers to these throughout these lessons.