John 18:31

[Scott Hilton]

Pilate said, "Take him yourselves and judge him by your own law." "But we have no right to execute anyone," the Jews objected

Why did the Jews say they had no right to execute someone? Was this a political statement or spiritual?

thanks

[Scott Sherwood]

Political. Legal. A reality of limited autonomy under Roman rule.

[Ryan Scott]

Only Rome had the power of death. Actually, Israel was one of the few places in the Roman empire even given enough autonomy to have their own judicial system at all.

[Scott Hilton]

Only Rome had the power of death. Actually, Israel was one of the few places in the Roman empire even given enough autonomy to have their own judicial system at all.
Thanks, I figured it had something to do with the Roman rule, but wasn't for sure on it. Just as an additional question, how does one reconcile that with the fact that they were more than willing to stone the adulturess woman? How is that different? Oh and now that I think about it, the killing of Stephen as well?

[Ryan Scott]

Thanks, I figured it had something to do with the Roman rule, but wasn't for sure on it. Just as an additional question, how does one reconcile that with the fact that they were more than willing to stone the adulturess woman? How is that different? Oh and now that I think about it, the killing of Stephen as well?


Sounds like they were being quite human.

[Scott Hilton]

Sounds like they were being quite human.

Well, we have a tendancy of doing that. However why did they choose to bow to the laws of Rome where it came to putting Jesus to death, but ignored them on the others? I think there is something more to it than, just being human?

[Billy Cox]

Thanks, I figured it had something to do with the Roman rule, but wasn't for sure on it. Just as an additional question, how does one reconcile that with the fact that they were more than willing to stone the adulturess woman? How is that different? Oh and now that I think about it, the killing of Stephen as well?

With regard to the stoning of the adulterous woman, the religious leaders were trying to trick Jesus into running afoul of Rome on one side or being 'soft on sin' on the the other. They knew better than to actually stone her. I know we like to spiritualize the whole 'cast the first stone' thing, but Jesus effectively said 'you go first' and the religious leaders blinked, so to speak. Jesus called their bluff.

With regard to Stephen, he stirred up an angry mob against himself and they lynched him. We don't know what the Romans did in response. Whatever happened DID result in dispersion of the new Christians in all directions.

[Billy Cox]

Only Rome had the power of death. Actually, Israel was one of the few places in the Roman empire even given enough autonomy to have their own judicial system at all.

Yeah, but that would mean that Paul wasn't going around assassinating Christians before his Damascus road experience. :rolleyes:

[Crystal Lutton]

Actually, I could be wrong, but I do believe they had the right to kill. That's why they were able to kill all the Apostles who were martyred. There was a lot of requirements on who could be killed, why, when, and how. If they weren't, then all Jesus would have had to do was roll his eyes when they brought the adulteress woman--remind them they didn't have a right to kill her. Instead he called them on their hypocrisy. It was still under Roman Rule that Paul went with permission to kill and persecute Jewish believers in different cites *scratches head*

I found this online book excerpt but I can't vouch for the book. It just documents what I've read on this issue. The Jews Under Roman Rule (http://books.google.com/books?id=jSYbpitEjggC&pg=PA150&lpg=PA150&dq=Jewish+execution+under+Roman+rule&source=web&ots=VWoVHirqC5&sig=iLe2fAMujNiU_piR9vp1jDFzl0w&hl=en)

[Randy Wise]

I agree with the Mob outlook in regard to Stephen. I agree that the Sanhedrim did get away with dealing with their own people, that is Rome was indifferent. I also agree that what happened to Paul and Jesus shows there was a legal system in place by Rome. Jesus was a very public figure and I don't believe the Sanhedrim wanted to risk a public execution for the fact they stated, that is Rome law superseded their own authority in regard to the death penalty.


Randy

[Crystal Lutton]

They had no right under Jewish law to kill *Jesus*--he had not broken any Jewish law. He completed the 4 days of "questioning" that the Passover lambs underwent for "testing" and he was found without flaw. They could not kill him because to do so would violate their own laws.

And it had to be a crucifixion to fulfill Scripture.