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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How to be saved todaySparrow'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."