When did the Persecution of Jesus Begin?
The persecution of Jesus is one of the most heavily studied events in human history. From the moment he began his ministry, Jesus faced resistance and insults from the religious establishment of his time. He was accused of blasphemy and his teachings were deemed to be heretical. His ultimate persecution and crucifixion were the result of this long history of opposition. In this blog, we will explore the beginning of Jesus’ persecution and the timeline of events leading up to his eventual death. We will look at the various players involved and their motivations for turning on Jesus. We will also discuss the cultural and political climate of the day and its effect on the persecution of Jesus. Finally, we will discuss the implications of Jesus’ persecution and the legacy it has left on human history.
1. Jesus’ arrest in the Garden of Gethsemane
The persecution of Jesus began when he was arrested in the Garden of Gethsemane following his final prayer. Judas Iscariot, one of Jesus’ twelve apostles, had agreed to betray him in exchange for money. Judas led a group of soldiers and temple guards to the Garden of Gethsemane, where they arrested Jesus at the hour of midnight. They then took him to the high priest, Caiaphas, who questioned him and eventually handed him over to the Roman governor, Pontius Pilate.
2. His Appearance Before the Sanhedrin
After Jesus’ arrest, he was brought before the Sanhedrin, a Jewish judicial council composed of the high priests, elders, and scribes. During the hearing, Jesus was asked about his identity and teachings, but he refused to answer any of their questions. As a result, the Sanhedrin accused him of blasphemy, which was punishable by death. They then sent Jesus to Pontius Pilate, the Roman governor, hoping to have him sentenced to death. This marked the beginning of the persecution of Jesus, leading to his eventual crucifixion.
3. His trial before Pilate
After being arrested, Jesus was brought before Pontius Pilate, the Roman Governor of Judea. Jesus was questioned by Pilate, who found no fault in him and concluded that Jesus was being persecuted out of envy. Despite Pilate’s decision, the crowd called for Jesus to be crucified. Pilate asked them what he should do with Jesus and they responded, “Crucify him!” Against his own judgment, Pilate handed Jesus over to be crucified.
4. His Crucifixion
Jesus’ persecution culminated in his crucifixion on the orders of Pontius Pilate, the Roman prefect of Judea. After being flogged, Jesus was forced to carry his own cross to the place of his execution, where he was then nailed to the cross and hung in agony. While he was on the cross, he was mocked and derided by the people and Roman soldiers who had gathered to watch his death. After a few hours, Jesus died and was buried in a nearby tomb. His death marked the end of his persecution and his resurrection three days later was the beginning of the fulfillment of the prophecies of the Old Testament.
5. His Resurrection and Ascension
After Jesus was arrested, he was tried and found guilty of blasphemy by the Sanhedrin, the Jewish ruling council. He was then taken to the Roman governor, Pontius Pilate, who condemned him to death. Jesus was crucified and died on the cross.
Three days later, Jesus rose from the dead and appeared to his disciples, proving he had conquered death. This resurrection and ascension marked the end of Jesus’ sufferings and the beginning of his vindication and glory.
In conclusion, the persecution of Jesus Christ began even before His arrest and trial. It started with the Jewish religious leaders who opposed Him and sought to have Him killed. This persecution has continued throughout history and still exists today, in various forms and contexts. Such persecution is part of the Christian experience and a reminder of the great cost of following and believing in Jesus Christ.