Did the scribes and Pharisees know that Jesus was their Messiah?

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Did the scribes and Pharisees know that Jesus was their Messiah?

by Sparrow
(Ohio)

His eye is on the sparrow

Rick Brentlinger Answers -

Thanks for asking such an interesting question. I do not agree that it is implicit in the gospels that the scribes and Pharisees who sought to kill Jesus knew exactly Who He was.

Jesus tells us the Jews did not know He was their Messiah, God in the flesh. And other scriptures support Jesus' assertion

"And it came to pass, as he was alone praying, his disciples were with him: and he asked them, saying, Whom say the people that I am? They answering said, John the Baptist; but some say, Elias; and others say, that one of the old prophets is risen again. " -Luke 9:18ff

"Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots." -Luke 23:34

"But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory: Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory." -1 Corinthians 2:7-8

"And now, brethren, I wot" (old English for know) "that through ignorance ye did it" (delivered Jesus to be crucified), "as did also your rulers." -Acts 3:17

"For they that dwell at Jerusalem, and their rulers, because they knew him not, nor yet the voices of the prophets which are read every sabbath day, they have fulfilled them in condemning him." -Acts 13:27

"The kings of the earth stood up, and the rulers were gathered together against the Lord, and against his Christ. For of a truth against thy holy child Jesus, whom thou hast anointed, both Herod, and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles, and the people of Israel, were gathered together," -Acts 4:26-27

Scripture is clear - Jewish scribes and Pharisees had no idea who Jesus was when they delivered Him to be crucified by the Roman authorities. Spiritually speaking, they were as blind as a bat backing in backwards.

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Sparrow's Original Question:

"Pastor Rick, do you believe that it's implicit in the Gospels (I'm unaware of a verse that states it explicitly) that the scribes and Pharisees who sought to kill Jesus actually KNEW in their hearts that He was exactly who He said He was -- the one true Messiah and Son of God?

I heard a local pastor here offer this opinion, yet if that was truly so, the Pharisees' utter blind arrogance -- to have KNOWN, yet actually seek to KILL GOD in order to preserve their own comfortable standing -- boggles the mind. Also, if it was so, to me it reveals they had absolutely no fear of God's ultimate judgment."

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Did the scribes and Pharisees know that Jesus was their Messiah?

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May 13, 2011

Just Tell Them "I AM" Sent Me
by: DL Powers

It is fair to say that after these people heard Jesus had resurrected Lazarus they were very afraid for their positions. They did not care that Jesus could possibly be their Messiah. At this point, He had already been baptized in front of many people, including some of the sect. Word had spread that God had spoken saying that Jesus was His Son in whom He was well pleased.
In saying this, here is what they had to say after Lazarus' resurrection.

"Then gathered the chief priests and the Pharisees a council, and said, What do we? for this man doeth many miracles. If we let him thus alone, all men will believe on him: and the Romans shall come and take away both our place and nation. And one of them, named Caiaphas, being the high priest that same year, said unto them, Ye know nothing at all. Nor consider that it is expedient for us, that one man should die for the people, and that the whole nation perish not." Jon 11:47-50

Caiaphas did NOT realize that he prophesied that Jesus would die. As far as them believing as a whole that Jesus was Messiah, I do not think they cared or that it made much difference as long as they kept their glory.

However, in their defence, I will say that we need to remember why their hearts were hardened - that we, Gentiles, may receive salvation. Jesus will keep those that are rightous among them and will open the eyes of those who will receive Him after the Gentiles have been fulfilled.

God is a merciful and loving God who wants to fellowship with us. He loves His chosen people. So they being the original vine and we being graphted in, how much more will He save them?

Feb 21, 2012

I believe the answer is in Mark 12
by: Sparrow....

I wish I could say I had "discovered" this nugget, but I recently was reminded of this parable in Mark 12 that the Lord told the Pharisees. Please note the phrase in bold in verse 7:

2 And at the season he sent to the husbandmen a servant, that he might receive from the husbandmen of the fruit of the vineyard.
3 And they caught him, and beat him, and sent him away empty.
4 And again he sent unto them another servant; and at him they cast stones, and wounded him in the head, and sent him away shamefully handled.
5 And again he sent another; and him they killed, and many others; beating some, and killing some.
6 Having yet therefore one son, his well-beloved, he sent him also last unto them, saying, They will reverence my son.
7 But those husbandmen said among themselves, this is the heir; come, let us kill him, and the inheritance shall be ours.'

Is this not conclusive proof through the Lord's own words that the Pharisees did INDEED know who He was, but wanted to kill Hm anyway?

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