The Sanhedrin, who ruled according to strict Mosaic Law and tradition, considered Jesus a major threat to their ruling authority over the Jews. Jesus taught the people that salvation was by the grace of God and not by adherence to the many precepts set forth by the Sanhedrin, and such teaching not only undermined the authority of the religious leaders, but it also posed a serious threat to the livelihood that they enjoyed as a result of their control over the Jewish people.
Itinuro ni Hesus sa mga tao na ang kaligtasan ay sa biyaya lamang ng Diyos at hindi dahil sa pagsunod sa mga kautusan ng Sanedrin, at hindi lamang nilalabanan ng katuruang ito ang kanilang awtoridad kundi ito ay isang malaking banta rin sa kanilang pinagkakakitaan.