Jesus: Law Breaker Or Lawful Messiah?

Jesus was accused of breaking the law on several occasions, but did he really? And if he did, was it sinful? These are complex questions with no clear answers. Jesus was accused of breaking Jewish law, including laws concerning the Sabbath, and Roman civil law, including opposing taxes to Caesar. However, Pilate declared Jesus innocent of these charges. Jesus himself said he had not come to abolish the law but to fulfil it. While he broke traditional Jewish interpretations of religious laws, he did not break any Old Testament commands.

Jesus broke traditional Jewish interpretations of religious laws

Jesus had the authority to interpret the law anew, set aside its requirements, and break it for the sake of those in need. For example, he acted against the law by healing people on the Sabbath. He also intensified the law to the point that people began to question their ability to be saved.

Jesus' teachings also contradicted the First Commandment, which states, "You shall have no other gods before me." By deifying Jesus, the Christian Fathers violated this commandment and Jesus' teachings. The Bible does not support the idea that Yahweh and Jesus are the same.

Jesus was judged as a lawbreaker by religious leaders

Jesus was seen as violating the interpretations that religious leaders had developed around the biblical commands of keeping the Sabbath day holy. However, Pilate, the Roman governor, found Jesus innocent of these charges.

Jesus' actions and teachings often went against traditional Jewish interpretations of religious laws. For example, he taught that the Mosaic law was no longer binding in all its parts and that he had the authority to interpret it anew. Jesus set aside some requirements of the law, such as those concerning food and the Sabbath, and acted against others for the sake of caring for people.

Jesus' actions and teachings challenged the established religious and social norms of his time, leading to his judgment as a lawbreaker by religious leaders and his eventual execution by the Roman government.

Jesus was sentenced to death by governmental leaders

In Luke 23:2, Jewish leaders bring Jesus to Pilate and accuse him of three crimes: misleading the nation, opposing paying taxes to Caesar, and saying he is the Messiah, a king. Pilate directly rejects these charges in Luke 23:14, stating:

> "You have brought me this man as one who misleads people. But in fact, after examining him in your presence, I have found no grounds to charge this man with those things you accuse him of."

However, despite Pilate's declaration of Jesus' innocence, he was still sentenced to death by crucifixion. This sentence was carried out by the Roman government, who had jurisdiction over the region at the time.

The question of whether Jesus broke the law is a complex one. While he did not break any Old Testament commands, he did violate the interpretations and traditions that Jewish religious leaders had developed around these biblical commands.

Some sources argue that Jesus broke several of the Ten Commandments, including:

• "Keep the Sabbath day holy and do not do any work" - Jesus was accused of breaking Sabbath laws on multiple occasions.
• "Honor your father and mother" - Jesus denied a man time to bury his father and told his followers to leave the dead to bury their own dead.
• "Do not steal" - Jesus and his disciples helped themselves to a farmer's grain without asking and sent two disciples to take a colt without the owner's permission.
• "Do not bear false witness" - Jesus lied to his disciples about not going to a feast and made false promises about returning soon with his angels.

However, other sources argue that Jesus had the authority to interpret the law anew and set aside its requirements. They argue that he did not truly break the law but rather fulfilled it in a way that was not always understood or accepted by the religious leaders of his time.

Jesus' actions against Roman law

Jesus's actions against Roman law are a complex and multifaceted issue that has been the subject of extensive scholarly analysis and debate. One of the most well-known aspects of this debate is the question of whether Jesus broke Roman laws during his trial and subsequent crucifixion.

During his lifetime, Jesus was accused by the Jewish leaders of the time, specifically the Pharisees, of breaking Roman laws, particularly those related to the Sabbath. These accusations were a result of Jesus's actions of healing people on the Sabbath, which the Pharisees claimed violated the Sabbath Laws. However, Jesus defended his actions by asserting that he was working as his Father was working, and thus, from his perspective, he did not break any laws.

The Roman governor of Judaea, Pontius Pilate, was responsible for judging whether Jesus had committed any crimes according to Roman law. Despite numerous accusations, Pilate found no fault in Jesus and declared him innocent. However, due to political and religious pressures, Pilate ultimately authorised the crucifixion of Jesus, even though he did not consider him a criminal according to Roman law.

It is important to note that the crucifixion of Jesus was carried out by the Romans, who were the governing authority in Judea at the time. However, the specific charge that led to his crucifixion was religious in nature, as he was accused of blasphemy and disrupting religious norms by his people.

In conclusion, while Jesus may have been accused of breaking Roman laws during his trial, the historical and theological consensus is that he did not commit any crimes according to Roman law. His actions and teachings, however, had a significant impact on the development of Christian jurisprudence and ethics, influencing societal norms and legal systems long after his lifetime.

Jesus' teachings on the law

Jesus's teachings on the law are complex and multifaceted. On one hand, Jesus is portrayed as upholding the law, specifically in relation to the Ten Commandments. He consistently denies being God, proclaiming that the Father is greater than him, which aligns with the first commandment.

However, Jesus is also depicted as breaking or interpreting the law differently, particularly regarding the Sabbath. He is accused multiple times of breaking the Sabbath laws, such as when he and his disciples plucked and ate grain on the Sabbath or when he healed on the Sabbath. Jesus justifies his actions, declaring himself the "lord of the Sabbath." This interpretation of the law challenges the traditional Jewish interpretations and religious laws of his time.

Jesus also teaches his disciples to follow a higher law, emphasizing the importance of loving God and loving their neighbours. He summarizes the law as:

> "Worship God and love your neighbour."

Jesus's actions and teachings suggest a nuanced approach to the law, where he holds the authority to interpret and set aside certain requirements of the law, especially when it concerns caring for those in need.

Frequently asked questions