The rejection of Jesus was not a single, one-time event, but rather a
process and a
pattern that unfolded throughout his ministry and culminated in his crucifixion. Here's a breakdown of why:
* Early Skepticism and Opposition: Even early in Jesus' ministry, he faced skepticism and opposition from religious leaders in his hometown of Nazareth (Luke 4:28-30). His teachings and actions challenged their authority and interpretations of the law.
* Growing Resistance: As Jesus' popularity grew, so did the resistance from the religious establishment (Pharisees, Sadducees, Scribes). They questioned his authority, accused him of blasphemy, and plotted against him (Matthew 12:14, John 5:18).
* Rejection by the Jewish Leaders: The Sanhedrin, the Jewish ruling council, ultimately condemned Jesus for blasphemy (claiming to be the Son of God) and handed him over to the Roman authorities for execution (Matthew 26:59-66, John 19:7).
* Rejection by the Crowd: While Jesus had many followers, a crowd, influenced by the religious leaders, called for his crucifixion when given the choice between him and Barabbas (Matthew 27:20-23).
* Ongoing Rejection: Even after the crucifixion, some Jews continued to reject the message of the apostles about Jesus being the Messiah (Acts 28:24).
In Summary:
* There were many points throughout Jesus' ministry when individuals and groups rejected him, his teachings, and his claims.
* The crucifixion was the culmination of this ongoing rejection.
* The rejection wasn't unanimous. Many Jews *did* believe in him, forming the early Christian church.
* Rejection of Jesus continued after his death.
Therefore, it's more accurate to describe the rejection of Jesus as a gradual, escalating process rather than a single event.