Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1910-03-26
THE CRUCu1XIoN.

has discovered proofs that Jesus was
condemned to death by the Romans FOR
the crime Of iese majesty, and this
started the discussion
In the Chicago Record Herald a NUM-
her of interviews are reproduced. d.
Hrsch. IL is said. IS inclined 60 sup
port MIR james Dr Guns1ulus declares
that the blame falls ON both Jews and
Romans. Bishop Charles y. Anderson
expresses doubt as To- the correctness
of Mr. James claims Prof Smaller
Mathews is willing 90 wait for the pub
ncation of the alleged proofs. before eX-
pressing an opinion Rabbi schanfn~-
hcr says Mr. james is correct Rev
Johnston Myers says bee does not he
neyc MT James tie accepts the Bible
story in preference.
There should not Dee any doubt a. 20
the fact that Jesus was crucihcd ON
the instigation OF the priestly rulers cf
the Jews although the Romans carried
out the plot. plate. II lett 60 follow
the guidance Of his own iudgmen-,
would not have issued the fatal order
to the soldiers. he was almost COM
PEELED to do SO. by public clamor. fed by
the fury OF the leaders of the people.
Therefore the Apostle Peter says TO his
Jewish audience. concerning our Lord:
He whom ye crucihed."
At the time ~ tho crucihNion there
were in Palestine several sects, Of
which two may be briefly referred 10.
The Pharisess were the most popular.
They were the nationalist party, be-
ueyng in the Independence Of the Jews
and their future glory. They were strict
observers Of the law. and added many
procepts OF their own, all of which
did not prevent them from being hypo-
critics and slaves Of avaricc and vcs.
The saducecs were a less numerous
party. though it counted among rs
numbers the aristocracy Of the nation.
They taught that there was no lie at.3r
this. mo- resurrection, and no spirit
They were atheists Like the Phar-
sees they expected a Messiah 10 come
and establish a Jewish kingdom in
which they hoped to have positions cf
power and influence.
At this time the chief ecclesiastical
ruler ~ the nation was Annas, who had
been dcposcd by tho Romans but who
nevertheless WAS acknowledged by the
Jews as the real head. Caiaphas, his
son-in-law. had succeeded him, by
Roman appointment. Both were athe-
lists: they were saducees. Both were
Interested In an infamous scheme by
which the divine service was degraded
and the worshippers plundered.
Rabbi Hlrsch remarks that the priests
Of the time had organized money
trust Thousands OF pilgrims docked
TO Jerusalem at the time OF the great
festivals Many OF them came to Of
fer their sacrifices according TO he
law. and 10 make their contributions.
Tho priests themselves had ordained
that such contributions could be- paid
only iu Jewish money. There was very
little of this money In the country, AMI
what there was the priests 'cornered,"
collecting nearly all Of it in the temple
and compelling the devotces TO buy II
from them with Roman currency at
a big premium. And so they had estao-
lished "a regular market on the temple
ground. There were penncd up sheep
and oxen. There were cages with doves,
and there were rows of money chang
crs stencil and NTH and Wranglllg
about money al the very entrance to
the sanctuary! our Lord hned with
righteous Indignation entered the tenn
a 4
herds. scattered the money on ,he
ground. and declared that they nad
made Gods house "A den Of thieves. This
act brought matters between Jesus and
the ecclesiastical rulers 20 crisis.
From now on they decided 10 KIN Him
Tho Pharisees had nothing 20 do with
the tragedy They, probably. applaud
cd the Nazarene for his bravery in
purifying the temple ground. But the
priests, whose money he had spilled ON
the ground, were furious They were
friendly to the Romans. The Romans
relied on them 90 preserve order among
their Jewish subjects. and In return the
Romans aided the priests in the coli
lection OF church revenue. The priests,
therefore, called on the Romans 20 help
them In their struggle against Jesus,
and Iu dnally persuadIng the Romans
Co kul him they used political argu-
mont. Says Rabbi Hirsgh.
Among the Jews the word Messiah
meant political leader who was 10 win
for them their Independence. The
priests told the Romans that Jesus was
planning Co overthrow the Roman gov-
eminent by means Of "a jewish insur-
rectiou The plan proved effective.
Jesus was accused NJ calling himself
King of the jews and 81 was on that
charge that he was crucihed.'
Tho story ms recorded by the Evan
gallsts may DE briefly told. After the
apprehension or Jesus AZ night, he was
first taken before Annas. There was
really no charge against our Lord on
which He could be tried for His life.
and So that Willy plotter began by ask
ing Him about His disciples and His
doctrines hoping TO hear something on
which Co base a charge But Jesus
merely answered, II have spoken
openly 10 the world, ever taught IN
the syuarogucs and In the Temple.
where am the Jews came together. and
iu secret said nothing. Why askest
thou NEE Ask those who have heard