Power, Pilate, and the Perception of Jesus

This chapter explores the complex dynamics between the Romans and the temple priesthood during Jesus' time, revealing their collaboration for power and profit over the Jewish populace. It examines Pontius Pilate's portrayal in the Gospels, contrasting the reluctant image with historical brutality, and discusses how the destruction of the Second Temple shifted Jesus' identity posthumously, distancing him from his Jewish roots. The narrative highlights the implications of these changes on Jewish-Roman relations and how they fostered misconceptions that contributed to centuries of anti-Semitism.