Jesus Christ encountered criticism, grumbling and plotting because he was seen as a threat to the religious and political hierarchy, and because he exposed sin.
Opposition by different groups
By family and friends
Luke 4:24–29 See also Matthew 13:55–57 parallel Mark 6:3–4; Mark 3:21; John 7:3–5
Then He added, “Truly I tell you, no prophet is accepted in his hometown. But I tell you truthfully that there were many widows in Israel in the time of Elijah, when the sky was shut for three and a half years and great famine swept over all the land. Yet Elijah was not sent to any of them, but to the widow of Zarephath in Sidon. And there were many lepers in Israel in the time of Elisha the prophet. Yet not one of them was cleansed— only Naaman the Syrian.” On hearing this, all the people in the synagogue were enraged. They got up, drove Him out of the town, and led Him to the brow of the hill on which the town was built, in order to throw Him over the cliff.
By religious leaders
Matthew 12:14 parallels Mark 3:6, Luke 6:11 See also John 11:47–53
But the Pharisees went out and plotted how they might kill Jesus.
By political leaders
Opposition through criticism and accusation
Criticism of Jesus Christ's choice of company
Matthew 9:11 parallels Mark 2:16, Luke 5:30 See also Luke 7:39, Luke 19:7
When the Pharisees saw this, they asked His disciples, “Why does your Teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?”
Criticism for breaking with tradition
Matthew 15:1–2 parallel Mark 7:5 Though criticism is directed at the disciples, it is really against Jesus Christ; Luke 10:16, Luke 11:38
Accusations of Sabbath-breaking
John 5:16 See also Matthew 12:2 parallels Mark 2:24, Luke 6:2; Matthew 12:10 parallels Mark 3:2, Luke 6:7; Luke 13:14, Luke 14:1
Now because Jesus was doing these things on the Sabbath, the Jews began to persecute Him.
Accusations of blasphemy
John 10:33 See also Matthew 9:3 parallels Mark 2:6–7, Luke 5:21; Matthew 26:65 parallel Mark 14:64; John 5:18, John 10:36
“We are not stoning You for any good work,” said the Jews, “but for blasphemy, because You, who are a man, make Yourself out to be God.”
Accusations of being demon-possessed
John 10:20 See also Matthew 12:24 parallels Mark 3:22, Luke 11:15; John 7:20, John 8:48
Many of them said, “He is demon-possessed and insane. Why would you listen to Him?”
Reasons for opposing Jesus Christ
Because of hatred
John 15:23–25 See also John 7:7, John 8:40, John 15:18
Whoever hates Me hates My Father as well. If I had not done among them the works that no one else did, they would not be guilty of sin; but now they have seen and hated both Me and My Father. But this is to fulfill what is written in their Law: ‘They hated Me without reason.’
Because people's minds are closed
John 8:43–44 See also John 8:37; 2 Corinthians 4:4
Why do you not understand what I am saying? It is because you are unable to accept My message. You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out his desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, refusing to uphold the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, because he is a liar and the father of lies.
Jesus Christ knew where opposition would lead
Matthew 16:21 parallels Mark 8:31–32, Luke 9:22 See also Matthew 17:22–23 parallel Mark 9:31; Matthew 20:17–19 parallels Mark 10:32–34, Luke 18:31–32; Luke 9:44
From that time on Jesus began to show His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things at the hands of the elders, chief priests, and scribes, and that He must be killed and on the third day be raised to life.
Unsuccessful opposition before the crucifixion
Early attempts to arrest Jesus Christ
John 10:39 See also John 7:30, John 7:32, John 7:44
At this, they tried again to seize Him, but He escaped their grasp.
Attempts on Jesus Christ's life
John 8:59 See also Luke 4:28–30; John 7:19, John 10:31
At this, they picked up stones to throw at Him. But Jesus was hidden and went out of the temple area.
Opposition that led to the crucifixion
Plots by the Jewish leaders
Matthew 26:3–4 parallels Mark 14:1–2, Luke 22:2 See also Matthew 21:46 parallels Mark 12:12, Luke 20:19; John 11:57
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.
The chief priests stirred up the crowd
Matthew 27:20–23 parallels Mark 15:11–14, Luke 23:21 See also John 19:15
But the chief priests and elders persuaded the crowds to ask for Barabbas and to have Jesus put to death. “Which of the two do you want me to release to you?” asked the governor. “Barabbas,” they replied. “What then should I do with Jesus who is called Christ?” Pilate asked. They all answered, “Crucify Him!” “Why?” asked Pilate. “What evil has He done?” But they shouted all the louder, “Crucify Him!”
Rejection by political authorities
Matthew 27:26 parallels Mark 15:15, Luke 23:24–25 See also Luke 23:7–12; John 19:16; Acts 4:25–27; Psalm 2:1–2
So Pilate released Barabbas to them. But he had Jesus flogged, and handed Him over to be crucified.
The mockery of the Roman soldiers
Matthew 27:27–31 parallel Mark 15:16–20
The betrayal by Judas Iscariot
Matthew 26:14–16 parallels Mark 14:10–11, Luke 22:3–6; Matthew 26:47–50 parallels Mark 14:43–45, Luke 22:47–48; John 18:2–5
Opposition at the crucifixion
Matthew 27:39–44 parallels Mark 15:29–32, Luke 23:35–39; John 19:21
Opposition to Jesus Christ in apostolic preaching
Acts 3:13–15 See also Acts 2:23, Acts 4:10, Acts 5:30, Acts 7:52–53, Acts 10:39, Acts 13:27–29
The God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, the God of our fathers, has glorified His servant Jesus. You handed Him over and rejected Him before Pilate, even though he had decided to release Him. You rejected the Holy and Righteous One and asked that a murderer be released to you. You killed the Author of life, but God raised Him from the dead, and we are witnesses of this fact.
Saul of Tarsus opposes Jesus Christ
Acts 9:4–5 See also Acts 22:7–8, Acts 26:14–15
He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute Me?” “Who are You, Lord?” Saul asked. “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,” He replied.
Related themes
Dictionary of Bible Themes © 1999 Martin Manser, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0, via Bible Aquifer. Formatted for this site, with Scripture from the Berean Standard Bible.