Gospels Midterm

Question 1

What should we make of the Pharisees’ opposition?

Answer 1

Sincere Questioners: One can consider them sincere, but misguided since Jesus’ appeared to break the law
Mesith Hunters: Or they could have considered Jesus a “Mesith,” a beguiler of the people that needed to be stopped at all cost, even trapping him and assuming his guilt at trial.
Parallels between Deut 13:6,9 and Matt. 10:19,21
Willful Opposers: Or they can be seen as culpable, willful opposers of God 1) saw his deeds, 2) knew scripture, but 3) did not believe, and even led others in a way that made Jesus call them sons of the Devil, hypocrites and blind fools (Matt 23, Luke 11, and John 8).