Topical Encyclopedia The conspiracy against Jesus Christ, as depicted in the New Testament, is a significant event that highlights the opposition He faced from religious leaders and authorities of His time. This conspiracy ultimately led to His arrest, trial, and crucifixion, fulfilling the prophecies concerning the Messiah's suffering and death.Religious Leaders' Hostility The conspiracy against Jesus was primarily orchestrated by the Jewish religious leaders, including the chief priests, scribes, and Pharisees. These leaders perceived Jesus as a threat to their authority and influence over the people. His teachings, miracles, and growing popularity among the masses challenged their traditional interpretations of the Law and exposed their hypocrisy. In the Gospel of Matthew, the plot to kill Jesus is explicitly mentioned: "Then the chief priests and elders of the people assembled in the courtyard of the high priest, whose name was Caiaphas, and they conspired to arrest Jesus covertly and kill Him" (Matthew 26:3-4). This passage underscores the deliberate and secretive nature of their plans. Judas Iscariot's Betrayal A pivotal element in the conspiracy was the involvement of Judas Iscariot, one of Jesus' twelve disciples. Motivated by greed and possibly disillusionment, Judas agreed to betray Jesus to the religious authorities for thirty pieces of silver. The Gospel of Mark records this transaction: "Then Judas Iscariot, one of the Twelve, went to the chief priests to betray Jesus to them. They were delighted to hear this and promised to give him money. So he began to look for an opportunity to betray Him" (Mark 14:10-11). Judas' betrayal was a fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy, as seen in Psalm 41:9, which foreshadows the treachery of a close friend. The Arrest and Trial The conspiracy culminated in the arrest of Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane. Judas led a contingent of soldiers and officials from the chief priests and Pharisees to Jesus, identifying Him with a kiss. The Gospel of John describes the scene: "So Judas brought a band of soldiers and officers from the chief priests and Pharisees. They arrived there with lanterns, torches, and weapons" (John 18:3). Following His arrest, Jesus was subjected to a series of trials, first before the Jewish Sanhedrin and then before the Roman authorities. The religious leaders sought false testimony against Him to justify their desire for His execution. Despite the lack of credible evidence, they accused Jesus of blasphemy for claiming to be the Son of God, a charge that carried the death penalty under Jewish law. Roman Involvement The Jewish leaders, lacking the authority to execute capital punishment, brought Jesus before Pontius Pilate, the Roman governor. They manipulated the charges against Jesus, presenting Him as a political threat to Roman rule by claiming He declared Himself King of the Jews. Pilate, though initially reluctant, eventually succumbed to the pressure of the crowd and the insistence of the Jewish leaders, authorizing Jesus' crucifixion. Fulfillment of Prophecy The conspiracy against Jesus, while driven by human malice and ambition, was ultimately part of God's sovereign plan for redemption. The events leading to His crucifixion fulfilled numerous Old Testament prophecies, including Isaiah 53, which speaks of the suffering servant, and Zechariah 11:12-13, which alludes to the thirty pieces of silver. The conspiracy against Jesus serves as a profound reminder of the spiritual battle between good and evil and the fulfillment of God's redemptive purposes through the life, death, and resurrection of His Son. Nave's Topical Index Jeremiah 11:9,19And the LORD said to me, A conspiracy is found among the men of Judah, and among the inhabitants of Jerusalem. Nave's Topical Index Matthew 12:14 Matthew 21:38-41 Matthew 26:3,4 Matthew 27:1,2 Mark 3:6 Library The Conspiracy against Jesus. Jesus Before Pilate. I Would Like to Say to Celsus, who Represents the Jew as Accepting ... His Life Jesus Heals on the Sabbath Day and Defends his Act. Quotations from Athanasius' Defense of his Flight. ' But We, in Proving the Facts Related of Our Jesus from the ... Jesus in the Garden of Olives. Still Continues the Praise of "Wisdom. ... Bourdaloue -- the Passion of Christ Resources Why do many Christians seem so prone to believe in conspiracy theories? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the New World Order? | GotQuestions.org Did Jesus ever travel to India? | GotQuestions.org Conspiracy: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics Conspiracy of Jezebel, Against Naboth Conspiracy of Servants, Against Joash Conspiracy: Abimelech Against Gideon's Sons Conspiracy: Abner, Against Ish-Bosheth Conspiracy: Delilah, Against Samson Conspiracy: Gaal, Against Abimelech Conspiracy: Joseph's Brother, Against Joseph Conspiracy: Miriam and Aaron, Against Moses Conspiracy: People in Jerusalem, Against Amaziah Conspiracy: Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego Conspiracy: Shallum, Against Zachariah Related Terms Nergalsharezer (2 Occurrences) |
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