Undeceptions with John Dickson 150. Jesus' Trials
Apr 13, 2025
Eckhard Schnabel, Emeritus Professor of New Testament, and Paul Barnett, ancient historian and retired bishop, delve into the infamous trial of Jesus. They discuss the unfairness and historical implications of these trials, contrasting the political dynamics under Pontius Pilate with the Sanhedrin’s role. The conversation navigates through pivotal moments like Jesus' cleansing of the temple and explores themes of public perception and anti-Semitism. Their insights reveal how the trials reflect broader societal tensions and shape our understanding of faith today.
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Chamberlain Case Sets Legal Context
- The podcast opens with the true crime example of Lindy Chamberlain's wrongful murder conviction.
- This sets the stage to explore the famous and controversial trial of Jesus in a legal-historical context.
Judaism and Jesus' Trial
- The Gospels' portrayal of Jewish leaders in Jesus' trial has been misused to fuel anti-Semitism.
- Historically, Jewish leadership did play a role, but blaming all Jews for Jesus' death is both wrong and dangerous.
Political Landscape of Judea, Galilee
- Galilee was governed by Herod Antipas as a client tetrarch, while Judea was directly governed by Roman prefects post-AD 6.
- Roman governance was complex and adapted to local conditions rather than uniformly oppressive.
