Opposition to Jesus Christ

Opposition by different groups

By family and friends

Luke 4:24–29 NKJV

Then He said, “Assuredly, I say to you, no prophet is accepted in his own country. But I tell you truly, many widows were in Israel in the days of Elijah, when the heaven was shut up three years and six months, and there was a great famine throughout all the land; but to none of them was Elijah sent except to Zarephath, in the region of Sidon, to a woman who was a widow. And many lepers were in Israel in the time of Elisha the prophet, and none of them was cleansed except Naaman the Syrian.” So all those in the synagogue, when they heard these things, were filled with wrath, and rose up and thrust Him out of the city; and they led Him to the brow of the hill on which their city was built, that they might throw Him down over the cliff.

See also Mt 13:55–57; Mk 3:21; Jn 7:3–5

By religious leaders

Matthew 12:14 NKJV

Then the Pharisees went out and plotted against Him, how they might destroy Him.

See also Jn 11:47–53

By political leaders

Mt 2:13–14; Lk 13:31

Opposition through criticism and accusation

Criticism of Jesus Christ’s choice of company

Matthew 9:11 NKJV

And when the Pharisees saw it, they said to His disciples, “Why does your Teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?”

See also Lk 7:39; Lk 19:7

Criticism for breaking with tradition

Mt 15:1–2 Though criticism is directed at the disciples, it is really against Jesus Christ; Lk 10:16; Lk 11:38

Accusations of Sabbath-breaking

John 5:16 NKJV

For this reason the Jews persecuted Jesus, and sought to kill Him, because He had done these things on the Sabbath.

See also Mt 12:2; Mt 12:10; Lk 13:14; Lk 14:1

Accusations of blasphemy

John 10:33 NKJV

The Jews answered Him, saying, “For a good work we do not stone You, but for blasphemy, and because You, being a Man, make Yourself God.”

See also Mt 9:3; Mt 26:65; Jn 5:18; Jn 10:36

Accusations of being demon-possessed

John 10:20 NKJV

And many of them said, “He has a demon and is mad. Why do you listen to Him?”

See also Mt 12:24; Jn 7:20; Jn 8:48

Reasons for opposing Jesus Christ

Because of hatred

John 15:23–25 NKJV

He who hates Me hates My Father also. If I had not done among them the works which no one else did, they would have no sin; but now they have seen and also hated both Me and My Father. But this happened that the word might be fulfilled which is written in their law, ‘They hated Me without a cause.’

See also Jn 7:7; Jn 8:40; Jn 15:18

Because people’s minds are closed

John 8:43–44 NKJV

Why do you not understand My speech? Because you are not able to listen to My word. You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it.

See also Jn 8:37; 2 Co 4:4

Jesus Christ knew where opposition would lead

Matthew 16:21 NKJV

From that time Jesus began to show to His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem, and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised the third day.

See also Mt 17:22–23; Mt 20:17–19; Lk 9:44

Unsuccessful opposition before the crucifixion

Early attempts to arrest Jesus Christ

John 10:39 NKJV

Therefore they sought again to seize Him, but He escaped out of their hand.

See also Jn 7:30; Jn 7:32; Jn 7:44

Attempts on Jesus Christ’s life

John 8:59 NKJV

Then they took up stones to throw at Him; but Jesus hid Himself and went out of the temple, going through the midst of them, and so passed by.

See also Lk 4:28–30; Jn 7:19; Jn 10:31

Opposition that led to the crucifixion

Plots by the Jewish leaders

Matthew 26:3–4 NKJV

Then the chief priests, the scribes, and the elders of the people assembled at the palace of the high priest, who was called Caiaphas, and plotted to take Jesus by trickery and kill Him.

See also Mt 21:46; Jn 11:57

The chief priests stirred up the crowd

Matthew 27:20–23 NKJV

But the chief priests and elders persuaded the multitudes that they should ask for Barabbas and destroy Jesus. The governor answered and said to them, “Which of the two do you want me to release to you?” They said, “Barabbas!” Pilate said to them, “What then shall I do with Jesus who is called Christ?” They all said to him, “Let Him be crucified!” Then the governor said, “Why, what evil has He done?” But they cried out all the more, saying, “Let Him be crucified!”

See also Jn 19:15

Rejection by political authorities

Matthew 27:26 NKJV

Then he released Barabbas to them; and when he had scourged Jesus, he delivered Him to be crucified.

See also Lk 23:7–12; Jn 19:16; Ac 4:25–27; Ps 2:1–2

The mockery of the Roman soldiers

Matthew 27:27–31 NKJV

Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the Praetorium and gathered the whole garrison around Him. And they stripped Him and put a scarlet robe on Him. When they had twisted a crown of thorns, they put it on His head, and a reed in His right hand. And they bowed the knee before Him and mocked Him, saying, “Hail, King of the Jews!” Then they spat on Him, and took the reed and struck Him on the head. And when they had mocked Him, they took the robe off Him, put His own clothes on Him, and led Him away to be crucified.

The betrayal by Judas Iscariot

Mt 26:14–16; Mt 26:47–50; Jn 18:2–5

Opposition at the crucifixion

Mt 27:39–44; Jn 19:21

Opposition to Jesus Christ in apostolic preaching

Acts 3:13–15 NKJV

The God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, the God of our fathers, glorified His Servant Jesus, whom you delivered up and denied in the presence of Pilate, when he was determined to let Him go. But you denied the Holy One and the Just, and asked for a murderer to be granted to you, and killed the Prince of life, whom God raised from the dead, of which we are witnesses.

See also Ac 2:23; Ac 4:10; Ac 5:30; Ac 7:52–53; Ac 10:39; Ac 13:27–29

Saul of Tarsus opposes Jesus Christ

Acts 9:4–5 NKJV

Then he fell to the ground, and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?” And he said, “Who are You, Lord?” Then the Lord said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. It is hard for you to kick against the goads.”

See also Ac 22:7–8; Ac 26:14–15