Jesus And Secular Law: A Complex Relationship

Whether Jesus broke secular laws is a complex question that has been the subject of much debate. While Jesus was accused of breaking Jewish religious laws, particularly those related to the Sabbath, and was executed by the Roman government, there is no clear consensus on whether he actually broke any laws.

Jesus was a Jewish teacher and healer who challenged the traditional interpretations of religious laws held by the Pharisees and other Jewish leaders during his time. He was known for performing miracles and healings on the Sabbath, which was considered a violation of Jewish law. However, Jesus argued that his actions were in line with the spirit of the law, emphasizing mercy, love, and human well-being.

The Roman government, which controlled the region of Judea where Jesus carried out his ministry, ultimately carried out his execution. However, the specific charges against him are unclear, and the Roman governor Pontius Pilate found no fault in Jesus.

While Jesus may have challenged societal norms and religious traditions, it is important to distinguish between breaking secular laws and religious laws. The answer to whether Jesus broke secular laws depends on the specific laws in question and the interpretation of his actions.

Jesus' non-observance of the Sabbath

Jesus's non-observance of the Sabbath was a significant point of contention between him and the Pharisees, who accused him of violating Sabbath laws by healing people on the holy day. However, Jesus did not view his actions as breaking the Sabbath law. Instead, he offered a different interpretation of the law, prioritising human well-being and arguing that doing good should not be confined to specific days.

Jesus's perspective on the Sabbath law can be understood through his statement, "The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath" (Mark 2:27). He emphasised that the Sabbath was intended for the benefit of mankind and that it should not be a burden or a restrictive practice. In doing so, Jesus challenged the traditional and rigid interpretations of the law held by the Pharisees and other religious leaders of his time.

Jesus's actions and teachings regarding the Sabbath demonstrate his commitment to the spirit of the law rather than its strict letter. He believed in a compassionate and human-centric interpretation, where kindness and the sanctity of life took precedence. By healing on the Sabbath, Jesus was not discarding the law but reinterpreting it to reveal its deeper purpose – a day of rest and wellness for humanity.

While Jesus's actions may have appeared as violations to some, he himself did not break the Sabbath law. As God incarnate, he kept the law perfectly and exemplified its true intent. His approach to the Sabbath, therefore, reflected his broader mission to fulfil the law rather than abolish it (Matthew 5:17).

Jesus' claim to be the Messiah

While many Jewish people believe that Jesus was a rabbi, a teacher, or even a prophet, they also believe that he never claimed to be the Messiah. However, there is evidence in the Scriptures that suggests otherwise. In John 8:58, Jesus declared not only his pre-existence but also took upon himself the name of God as revealed to Moses in the burning bush, saying, "Amen, amen I tell you, before Abraham was born, I am." This declaration was an affirmation of his Messiahship and divinity.

In Matthew 26:63-64, the High Priest directly confronted Jesus, asking him if he was the Messiah, the Son of God. Jesus responded affirmatively, further cementing his claim. Additionally, in Matthew 16:15-17, Jesus blessed Simon Peter for recognizing him as the Messiah and acknowledged that it was God who revealed this truth.

Jesus' proclamation was centred on the coming kingdom of God. He was an apocalypticist who believed that God would soon intervene in history, overthrow evil forces, and establish a political kingdom on earth. He saw himself as the messiah of this coming kingdom, a belief that was solidified by his crucifixion, where he was charged with claiming to be the "King of the Jews."

Jesus' non-payment of taxes to Caesar

The topic of whether Jesus broke secular laws is a complex one, and the answer depends on the interpretation of "law". While Jesus broke traditional Jewish interpretations of religious laws, he did not violate any Old Testament commands.

Jesus was accused of breaking secular laws during his trial, including opposing the payment of taxes to Caesar. The Bible describes the Pharisees bringing Jesus to Pontius Pilate and accusing him of three crimes: misleading the nation, opposing paying taxes to Caesar, and claiming to be the Messiah, a king.

However, Pilate, the Roman governor of Judaea, found Jesus innocent of these charges, stating, "I have found no grounds to charge this man with those things you accuse him of."

Jesus himself did not condemn Roman taxation and instead said, "Give back to Caesar what is Caesar's, and to God what is God's." This statement indicates that Jesus acknowledged the need to pay taxes to the civil government while also prioritising spiritual obligations.

Therefore, while Jesus may have challenged traditional interpretations of laws, he did not break any Roman civil laws or Old Testament religious laws during his life. His actions and teachings prioritised human well-being, love, mercy, and justice, demonstrating a new understanding of the law that fulfilled its true purpose.

Jesus' overturning of money tables at the temple

Jesus's act of overturning the money changers' tables in the temple is recorded in all four canonical gospels of the Christian New Testament: Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. This episode, known as the "Cleansing of the Temple," provides valuable insights into Jesus's teachings and his stance against the commercialisation of sacred spaces.

Jesus entered the temple courts in Jerusalem and forcefully expelled all those who were buying and selling within its premises. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the seats of those selling doves, disrupting the economic activities that had turned a place of prayer into a marketplace. This act symbolised Jesus's indignation towards the exploitation and corruption that had pervaded the temple, which was meant to be a place of genuine worship.

The money changers in the temple exchanged various currencies into the accepted Tyrian shekels, which pilgrims needed to pay the temple tax. However, this practice had become exploitative, with exorbitant exchange rates and interest charged on loans, often to the detriment of the poor. Jesus's actions served as a powerful demonstration of his authority and a call for a return to sincere worship, free from commercial distractions.

Jesus's actions in the temple had significant consequences. According to Professor David Landry of the University of St. Thomas, this incident was a "trigger" for Jesus's death, leading to his arrest and eventual crucifixion by the Roman authorities. While Jesus's actions in the temple may have been interpreted as a violation of secular laws, they were primarily a challenge to the religious authorities and their interpretation of sacred laws.

In conclusion, Jesus's overturning of the money changers' tables in the temple was a bold statement against the commercialisation and corruption of a sacred space. It exemplified his commitment to justice, protection of the marginalised, and his broader mission to bring good news to the oppressed.

Jesus' non-ritual washing of hands

Jesus was accused of breaking many laws during his lifetime, including those concerning the Sabbath. However, these accusations were largely made by the Pharisees, who believed that Jesus' actions—such as healing on the Sabbath—violated their interpretation of Jewish law.

One such accusation levelled at Jesus was that he did not wash his hands before eating, which was considered a violation of Jewish law. This non-ritual washing of hands is referenced in the Bible, in Matthew 15 and Mark 7.

Jesus did not refute the practice of handwashing itself, but rather the underlying premise that food could be defiled by unwashed hands. He criticised the Pharisees for their focus on this type of impurity, rather than on the defilement that came from depriving parents of support based on a legalistic interpretation of the Torah.

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