What was the problem(s) in first-century Palestine?
The big problem was the Romans. The Romans considered themselves to be the only civilized people on the planet. Everybody else was a bunch of ignorant savages. They were not shy about letting their subjects know this. Needless to say, the Jews were not thrilled by this assessment. They longed for the return of the self-rule they had had under David and Solomon. This is why they gave Jesus such a warm welcome when He rode into Jerusalem. They thought He was going to lead the rebellion against the Romans, using His magic powers to overcome them.
We read in the Bible that Jesus is referred to as the Messiah. The word refers to the anointed one of God. Early in the history of the Jews, the nation had become accustomed to the expectation that such a deliverer would come, and its hopes were centered on him. In all times of national trouble and calamity; in all their brightest visions of the future, they were accustomed to look to him as one who would deliver them from their troubles, and who would exalt their people to a pitch of glory and of honor, such as they had never known before. The people saw Jesus as this deliverer.
The high priests, however, had a very different view of Jesus. They saw Him as a threat. We see this in their reaction to Jesus raising Lazarus from the grave:
John 11:43 And when he thus had spoken, he cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth.
John 11:44 And he that was dead came forth, bound hand and foot with graveclothes: and his face was bound about with a napkin. Jesus saith unto them, Loose him, and let him go.
John 11:45 Then many of the Jews which came to Mary, and had seen the things which Jesus did, believed on him.
John 11:46 But some of them went their ways to the Pharisees, and told them what things Jesus had done.
John 11:47 Then gathered the chief priests and the Pharisees a council, and said, What do we? for this man doeth many miracles.
John 11:48 If we let him thus alone, all men will believe on him: and the Romans shall come and take away both our place and nation.
John 11:49 And one of them, named Caiaphas, being the high priest that same year, said unto them, Ye know nothing at all,
John 11:50 Nor consider that it is expedient for us, that one man should die for the people, and that the whole nation perish not.
John 11:51 And this spake he not of himself: but being high priest that year, he prophesied that Jesus should die for that nation;
John 11:52 And not for that nation only, but that also he should gather together in one the children of God that were scattered abroad.
John 11:53 Then from that day forth they took counsel together for to put him to death.
The people saw Jesus as the leader of the rebellion which would free them from Roman oppression. The high priests were actually plotting such a rebellion but were not ready to carry it out yet. They were afraid that Jesus would alert the Romans prematurely. The Romans would react as they always reacted, with a bloody slaughter and the overthrow of the current regime, including the priests. So the high priests decided to use Jesus as a decoy to throw the Romans off their trail. They would portray Him as the threat to Roman rule and encourage the Romans to take out their vengeance on Him, leaving the priests to continue their plans.
Hope this helps.
Best always
Brother Ron
