Why were the religious leaders angered by Jesus of Nazareth?
The religious leaders of the Jews in Palestine were afraid of Jesus (6 B.C.–A.D. 30) because of his teachings and because of the power he seemed to be gaining over the Jewish people. Wandering throughout Galilee, in the northern part of Palestine, Jesus taught the importance of having love for humankind and having faith in God. Without this faith and love, he said, religious ceremonies, works of charity, and prayer were all worthless. Jesus also attacked the belief that Jews were the “chosen people” of God by stating that all people could enter Heaven if they served God faithfully. Jewish leaders felt that Jesus’ teachings were sinful because he disregarded traditional Jewish religious laws. Charging that Jesus had become too powerful, they also feared he might incite a revolution and strip them of their authority. As a result, the leaders had…
