Topical Bible: Treason: Jesus Falsely Accused of

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In the New Testament, the accusation of treason against Jesus Christ is a pivotal moment in the narrative of His trial and crucifixion. This charge was brought against Him by the Jewish religious leaders as they sought to persuade the Roman authorities to execute Him. The accusation of treason was a serious one, as it implied rebellion against the Roman Empire and its emperor, a crime punishable by death.

The Gospels provide a detailed account of the events leading up to this accusation. In the Gospel of Luke, the religious leaders present their case to Pontius Pilate, the Roman governor, by stating, "We found this man subverting our nation, forbidding payment of taxes to Caesar, and proclaiming Himself to be Christ, a king" (Luke 23:2). This accusation was strategically crafted to portray Jesus as a political threat to Roman authority, despite His teachings that emphasized a spiritual kingdom rather than an earthly one.

Throughout His ministry, Jesus had consistently avoided political entanglements and had even instructed His followers to "render to Caesar what is Caesar's, and to God what is God's" (Mark 12:17). His claim to be the Messiah was understood by His followers in a spiritual sense, as the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies concerning the coming of God's anointed one. However, the religious leaders twisted this claim to suggest that Jesus was positioning Himself as a rival to Caesar, thus framing Him as a political insurgent.

During His trial before Pilate, Jesus was questioned about His kingship. Pilate asked Him, "Are You the King of the Jews?" to which Jesus responded, "You say so" (Luke 23:3). In the Gospel of John, Jesus further clarifies, "My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, My servants would fight to prevent My arrest by the Jews. But now My kingdom is not of this realm" (John 18:36). This response highlights the spiritual nature of His kingship, which posed no threat to Roman political power.

Despite the lack of evidence for the charge of treason, the pressure from the Jewish leaders and the crowd ultimately led Pilate to capitulate. In an attempt to maintain public order and appease the accusers, Pilate handed Jesus over to be crucified, a decision he made despite his own admission of finding no fault in Him (John 19:4).

The false accusation of treason against Jesus serves as a profound example of the miscarriage of justice and the fulfillment of prophetic scriptures concerning the suffering Messiah. It underscores the tension between the spiritual mission of Jesus and the political machinations of His opponents, who sought to eliminate Him by any means necessary.

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Matthew 27:11,29,30
And Jesus stood before the governor: and the governor asked him, saying, Are you the King of the Jews? And Jesus said to him, You say.
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Luke 23:2,3
And they began to accuse him, saying, We found this fellow perverting the nation, and forbidding to give tribute to Caesar, saying that he himself is Christ a King.
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Library

Christ Before Pilate.
... Jesus was accused of treason against the Roman emperor; he declared that he ... crime
with which the priests and rulers had falsely charged Jesus"that of ...
/.../johnson/the new testament commentary vol iii john/christ before pilate.htm

The Calm Before the Storm
... It was there that he had caused his young son Crispus, falsely accused of treason
by his stepmother Fausta ... "A man who believes in Jesus Christ, the only Son ...
//christianbookshelf.org/forbes/saint athanasius/chapter 4 the calm before.htm

The Idumeans Being Sent for by the Zealots, came Immediately to ...
... other than these men that accuse us falsely could have ... cut off beforehand the most
dangerous parts of this treason. ... to what Simon had said; but Jesus went away ...
/.../chapter 4 the idumeans being.htm

The Third Commandment
... Jesus of Nazareth, which was a prophet mighty in deed and ... Into the house of him that
sweareth falsely by my name ... vow made to God, was only to cover his treason. ...
/.../watson/the ten commandments/2 3 the third commandment.htm

The Personal History of Herod - the Two Worlds in Jerusalem.
... imprisoned, and an accusation of high treason laid against ... think of him, as he is
falsely represented by ... closely resemble the teaching of Jesus, or, according ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter ii the personal history.htm

The Sixth Commandment
... they inveighed against him, and accused him falsely to Pilate. ... and bring him within
the compass of treason, she was ... will be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus. ...
/.../watson/the ten commandments/2 6 the sixth commandment.htm

Introduction. Chapter i. --The Life and Writings of St. Hilary of ...
... whose aim was to punish and displace the Semiarians, had contrived a double treason. ...
is in exile, it is true, but he is guiltless; falsely accused by designing ...
/.../introduction chapter i the life and.htm

Concerning the Lord's Supper
... He does not say, as this friar falsely asserts out ... from the charge of impiety, tyranny,
and treason against the ... his words, where it is said: "Jesus took bread ...
/.../luther/first principles of the reformation/concerning the lords supper.htm

Extracts No. vii.
... If they testify falsely, who can help it?"Although thousands may ... the substance of
which is, that Jesus Christ is ... alleging that he is guilty of treason; he is ...
/.../ballou/a series of letters in defence of divine revelation/extracts no vii.htm

Book vii. This is the Seventh Book of Our Treatise against the ...
... was the proclamation of a second God, a treason against the ... It is the Man, Jesus
Christ, Whom they behold. ... He is not falsely concealing the fact that He is God ...
/.../hilary/the life and writings of st hilary of poitiers/book vii this is the.htm