Topical Bible: Murder: Chief Priests

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The term "murder" in the context of the chief priests refers to their involvement in the plot to kill Jesus Christ, an event that is central to the New Testament narrative. The chief priests, along with the scribes and elders, played a pivotal role in orchestrating the events that led to the crucifixion of Jesus, which is considered an act of murder from a theological perspective.

Biblical Context

The chief priests were part of the Jewish religious leadership during the time of Jesus. They held significant authority in religious and political matters and were responsible for maintaining the temple and overseeing religious rituals. However, their relationship with Jesus was fraught with tension due to His teachings and actions, which often challenged their authority and exposed their hypocrisy.

Plot Against Jesus

The Gospels provide several accounts of the chief priests' involvement in the plot to kill Jesus. In the Gospel of Matthew, it is recorded that the chief priests and elders conspired to arrest Jesus by stealth and kill Him. Matthew 26:3-4 states, "At that time 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."

Similarly, the Gospel of Mark highlights their intent to destroy Jesus due to His growing influence and the threat He posed to their authority. Mark 14:1 notes, "Now the Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread were two days away, and the chief priests and scribes were looking for a way to arrest Jesus covertly and kill Him."

Role in the Trial of Jesus

The chief priests were instrumental in the trial of Jesus, presenting false testimony and pressing for His execution. They sought to find grounds for a death sentence, ultimately accusing Him of blasphemy. In Mark 14:55 , it is written, "The chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin were seeking testimony against Jesus to put Him to death, but they did not find any."

Their influence extended to the Roman authorities, as they persuaded Pontius Pilate to authorize the crucifixion. John 19:6 records their insistence, "When the chief priests and officers saw Him, they shouted, 'Crucify Him! Crucify Him!'"

Motive and Hypocrisy

The chief priests' actions were driven by a combination of fear, jealousy, and a desire to maintain their power and status. Jesus' teachings and miracles attracted large crowds, undermining their authority and exposing their spiritual corruption. In John 11:47-48 , the chief priests and Pharisees express their concern: "What are we to do? This man is performing many signs. If we let Him go on like this, everyone will believe in Him, and then the Romans will come and take away both our place and our nation."

Their hypocrisy is further highlighted by their manipulation of religious law to serve their purposes, as they sought to eliminate Jesus under the guise of protecting the nation and upholding religious purity.

Legacy and Theological Implications

The involvement of the chief priests in the murder of Jesus is a profound example of the rejection of God's messengers by religious authorities. It serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of religious hypocrisy and the misuse of power. Theologically, their actions fulfilled the prophecies concerning the Messiah's suffering and death, as foretold in the Old Testament, and underscored the necessity of Jesus' sacrifice for the redemption of humanity.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Matthew 27:1
When the morning was come, all the chief priests and elders of the people took counsel against Jesus to put him to death:
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

And Pilate Said unto the Chief Priests and the Multitude...
... the voice of the chief priests, prevailed. [37] [3507] Then Pilate released unto
them that one who was cast into prison for sedition and murder, Barabbas, whom ...
/.../hogg/the diatessaron of tatian/section l and pilate said.htm

The Trial Before Pilate Resumed.
... them that had made insurrection, men who in the insurrection had committed murder. ...
of the Jews?" For he perceived that for envy the chief priests had delivered ...
//christianbookshelf.org/barton/his life/the trial before pilate resumed.htm

G. Jesus Before Pilate. Ch. 23:1-25
... 13 And Pilate called together the chief priests and the rulers and the people, 14
and ... who for a certain insurrection made in the city, and for murder, was cast ...
/.../erdman/the gospel of luke an exposition/g jesus before pilate ch.htm

Crucified, Dead and Buried
... which lay bound with them that had made insurrection with him, who had committed
murder in the ... For he knew that the chief priests had delivered him for envy. ...
/.../mark/jesus of nazareth a biography/chapter xv crucified dead and.htm

Christ Crucified and Buried.
... coming Judean kingdom, made their patriotism a cover for robbery and murder, and
had ... the inscription should have a sting in it for the chief priests and elders ...
/.../the new testament commentary vol iii john/christ crucified and buried.htm

Friday --The Day of Suffering.
... them that had made insurrection, men who in the insurrection had committed murder. ...
of the Jews?" For he perceived that for envy the chief priests had delivered ...
//christianbookshelf.org/barton/his last week/fridaythe day of suffering.htm

Acts xxiii. 8-Jun
... "That they would neither eat nor drink." Behold fasting the mother of murder!
Just ... traps. "And they came to the chief priests," etc. ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on acts and romans/homily xlix acts xxiii 8-jun.htm

Third Stage of the Roman Trial. Pilate Reluctantly Sentences Him ...
... For he knew { ^b perceived} ^a that for envy they ^b the chief priests had delivered ...
who for a certain insurrection made in the city, and for murder, was cast ...
/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/cxxxi third stage of the.htm

Jesus and Pilate
... the chief priests prevailed.24. And Pilate gave sentence that it should be as they
required.25. And he released unto them him that for sedition and murder was ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture e/jesus and pilate.htm

Of the Absence of any Discrepancies in the Accounts which the ...
... continues as follows: "And Pilate, when he had called together the chief priests
and the ... who for a certain sedition made in the city, and for murder, was cast ...
/.../augustine/the harmony of the gospels/chapter viii of the absence of.htm