The Narrow Path Ministries

it is my understanding that the sanhedrin had to present Jesus to pilate because Roman law did not allow the Jews to carry out capital punishment. otherwise the sanhedrin would have just killed Jesus themselves.

later, in the book of Acts, Stephen is condemned as a blasphemer and stoned to death, w/o roman approval.

earlier, in John, the mob was going to stone the woman caught in adultery, again w/o roman approval.

thoughts?

TK

The Jews actually did need Roman approval, but sometimes took advantage of the Roman procurator's being out of town or there being a gap of time between the death of one procurator and the arrival of his successor (as in the case of the stoning of James, the Lord's brother, as reported by Josephus). Perhaps such was the case when Stephen was stoned.

I don't know if the Jews really intended to stone the woman taken in adultery, or if they only wished to get Jesus to incriminate Himself by either agreeing to the suggestion (thus pitting Himself against the Roman prerogative) or by recommending against it (thus pitting Himself against Moses, and the observant Jews). If Jesus had agreed to stone her, they might have declined to do so without Roman approval, but I think they were pretty sure He would not sympathize with the harsh penalty, since His reputed friends were prostitutes and sinners.

I think an interesting thing about Stephen's stoning was that he saw Jesus standing instead of sitting at the right hand of God which may have indicating the end of the last 3 1/2 years of the 70th Daniel week or 490 year period.
Maybe it was the end of the period of forgiveness for Israel and sealed the judgement against Jerusalem and maybe it had to do with what Jesus said about forgiving your brother 7x70 or 490. Maybe in a way he meant it literally. Just speculation but it's seems interesting.

thanks for the clarification. the mice will indeed play when the cat is away.

TK

I think an interesting thing about Stephen's stoning was that he saw Jesus standing instead of sitting at the right hand of God which may have indicating the end of the last 3 1/2 years of the 70th Daniel week or 490 year period.
Maybe it was the end of the period of forgiveness for Israel and sealed the judgement against Jerusalem and maybe it had to do with what Jesus said about forgiving your brother 7x70 or 490. Maybe in a way he meant it literally. Just speculation but it's seems interesting.

Anyone have any thoughts about this supposed coincidence.

My thoughts resemble yours:

Just speculation but it's seems interesting.

i personally believe that Jesus was standing to welcome his faithful martyr home.

TK