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Jerusalem to celebrate. Although the ministry of Jesus had primarily taken place in the northern regions of the Galilee, on this particular Passover he and his disciples had come to the Temple in Jerusalem.
Multitudes of Jews, therefore, heard about the teachings of this itinerant rabbi Jesus from Nazareth, who was said to preach with authority. The stories of his message, rumors about the miracles he performed, and tales about his own personal example had various effects on people. Many were intrigued. Revolutionary possibilities filled the air in the crowded city. Civil unrest and dissension among the crowds was further aroused by a diverse group of rebels, political activists, and prophets, each with an appealing solution to the misery and chaos. The social fabric of Jewish society was pulling at the seams. All of this was taking place under the military occupation of a puppet government. The Jewish ruling class was itself also subject to this foreign
authority. Peace and survival were the desires of all.
There were many who were threatened by the teachings and personal example of Jesus' life as he did not observe the Jewish laws and customs. They labeled him a traitor to the Jewish religion. It was the custom for the leaders of the priests to convene21 to discuss political and religious situations. They
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