The Trial of Jesus

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In The Judaeo-Christian Tradition by Jack H. Hexter, the trial of Jesus is addressed in an unorthodox perspective. The trial of Jesus incorporates two trials: the Roman trial and the Jewish trial. In Hexter's book the Roman trial is addressed in great length while the Jewish trial is almost unaddressed. Hexter provides a perspective of the trial of Jesus with only one cause: the charge of sedition, for claiming to be king of the Jews. By using the four gospel texts, Hexter's view is illuminated and we find crucial aspects to the trial that not only counter Hexter's view on the sedition charge but also provide evidence for other important charges. Themes other than the charge of sedition supporting Hexter's perspective include, the blasphemy charge addressed in the Jewish trial, along with Jesus' holy new kingdom and Pontius Pilates innocent role throughout the trial.

Christianity having sprung from Judaism is a crucial fact when concerning the beginning of Christianity and the threat that it posed to the Jewish community. According to Hexter, “the conquest of classical civilization by Christianity is one of the wonders of history.” ( Hexter 50) Hexter's interpretation of the trial of Jesus begins with the charge of sedition. “...charges with sedition for claiming to be king of the Jews, a claim he refused to disavow, Jesus was condemned to death that Rome inflicted on criminals. He was nailed to a cross and left there until he died...” (Hexter 63) It is apparent that there is evidence for the claim of sedition such as the power Jesus held when acting out miracles to the public and also the act of Jesus neither declaring or refuting the title of “King of the Jews”. However, Hexter uses only the sedition charge for the condemnati...

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...eir hands dirty in the matter.

In the trial of Jesus, Hexter addressed the sedition claim for being the sole reason that Jesus had hung on the stake to die. However, evidence in the Four Gospel texts illuminate other reasons along with the sedition claim, that had effected the verdict that Pilate had ultimately delivered. Because of the huge threat Jesus had posed to the Jewish community, and Jesus' claim for a holy new kingdom that was not secular, Pilate was forced to please the people of his city and reluctantly delivered the verdict to crucify Jesus in order to restore civility in his city. Jesus was formally charged on the account for claiming to be King of the Jews but died for more than just a secular cause. Jesus was preaching a new universal criterion of truth, that many of his followers believed in and many people around the world still believe in today.

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