The Jewish Annotated New Testament -- Paul -- April 23, 2026

AI query:

I really have no fight in this and I really don't care, but I'm curious where this issue stands. 

The issue: whether "the" Jews handed Jesus over to be crucified, or whether it was the non-Jewish (some would say "pagan") Romans that handed Jesus over to be crucified.= 

Most likely it was a mob of many different individuals and/or groups, but reading John in the NRSV, it is very clear that John was attributing the Jews as being instrumental, and the authorities being somewhat unsure that Jesus was guilty as charged and if so, whether it warranted the death penalty (by crucifixion. So, where do religious scholars generally stand on this issue in the 21st century?

Long, long reply:

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ACTS

This book was written -- much like a journal -- by Paul's traveling companion, Luke, a physician, interestingly enough.

 

Starting with the later chapters of Acts. 

 

The last few chapters end with the story of John being taken from Caesaria on the M. coast of Judah, northwest of Jerusalem. John went through a series of "courts" until he "demanded" to be heard / tried by the Emperor in Rome, probably Nero, around the time of the great Roman fire.

 

The Book of Acts ends abruptly when John arrives in Rome. The last paragraph, and the last sentence:

He (John) lived there two whole years at hi sown expense and welcomed all who came to him, proclaiming the kingdom of God and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness and without hindrance. 

 

So, now "the thirteen letters in the name of Paul, followed by the anonymous Epistle to the Hebrews, and seven letters attributed to major figures in the history of the early Church (Peter [2]; John the Apostle [3]; James, brother of Jesus [1]; Jude, another brother of Jesus 1]).

 

Paul: instrumental in establishing a series of churches beginning in Antioch (Syria), well north of Phoenicia,  through Turkey (inland) to Macedonia, back through Turkey (coastal), through Rhodes and then by boat passing just south of Cyprus, and then back to Phoenicia and then to Judea and Jerusalem. 

 

  EPISTLES  

ROMANS

 

 Romans: the longest and thus the first