3. “Of all the questions regularly asked about Jesus, the question ‘Why did Jesus die?’ must be among the most frequent. It is certainly the most fascinating.” ~ N. T. Wright, Historian “Of all the questions regularly asked about Jesus, the question ‘Why did Jesus die?’ must be among the most frequent. It is certainly the most fascinating.” ~ N. T. Wright, Historian

4. “It is no surprise, in view of his teachings and actions, that Jesus was crucified. What is surprising is that it did not happen sooner.” ~ Ben Witherington III, Historian & Theologian “It is no surprise, in view of his teachings and actions, that Jesus was crucified. What is surprising is that it did not happen sooner.” ~ Ben Witherington III, Historian & Theologian

5. “Jesus was not busy with a religious revival; he was busy with a revolution – a revolution in religion, in politics, and in everything else.” ~ Albert Nolan, Historian “Jesus was not busy with a religious revival; he was busy with a revolution – a revolution in religion, in politics, and in everything else.” ~ Albert Nolan, Historian

6. “Jesus evoked a good bit of hostility among some of his contemporaries. In the end, some people hated or feared him enough to have him killed. We do not understand him unless we understand why he had such enemies.” ~ William C. Placher, New Testament Scholar “Jesus evoked a good bit of hostility among some of his contemporaries. In the end, some people hated or feared him enough to have him killed. We do not understand him unless we understand why he had such enemies.” ~ William C. Placher, New Testament Scholar

7. “The method of Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem serves to confirm his kingship, while at the same time setting Jesus apart from any earthly king. … This was the moment on which the wheel of history would turn.” ~ R. Alan Culpepper, New Testament Scholar “The method of Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem serves to confirm his kingship, while at the same time setting Jesus apart from any earthly king. … This was the moment on which the wheel of history would turn.” ~ R. Alan Culpepper, New Testament Scholar

8. “The triumphal entry, staged on a donkey, is a prophetic sign, an acted-out parable.... Jesus was a king, but no ordinary one – the king of fishermen, tax collectors, Samaritans, harlots, blind men, demoniacs, and cripples.” ~ R. Alan Culpepper, New Testament Scholar “The triumphal entry, staged on a donkey, is a prophetic sign, an acted-out parable.... Jesus was a king, but no ordinary one – the king of fishermen, tax collectors, Samaritans, harlots, blind men, demoniacs, and cripples.” ~ R. Alan Culpepper, New Testament Scholar

9. “This focus on the Temple makes it clear that the struggle between Jesus and his opponents concerns religious issues – specifically, who speaks God’s word to the people. Jesus did not enter Jerusalem as Son of David or anointed king in order to liberate the people from foreign domination.” ~ Pheme Perkins, Historian “This focus on the Temple makes it clear that the struggle between Jesus and his opponents concerns religious issues – specifically, who speaks God’s word to the people. Jesus did not enter Jerusalem as Son of David or anointed king in order to liberate the people from foreign domination.” ~ Pheme Perkins, Historian

10. “There were inevitable abuses of the temple system, but… Jesus confronts the system itself, not simply its abuses.” ~ Gail R. O’Day, New Testament Scholar

11. “His actions challenged everything that the temple in Jerusalem stood for. He was claiming to do and be exactly what the temple was and did.” ~ N.T. Wright, Historian & Theologian “His actions challenged everything that the temple in Jerusalem stood for. He was claiming to do and be exactly what the temple was and did.” ~ N.T. Wright, Historian & Theologian

12. “The temple was the delicate epicenter of early Judaism, and actions taken against it were always likely to have grave consequences.” ~ Ben Witherington III, Historian & Theologian “The temple was the delicate epicenter of early Judaism, and actions taken against it were always likely to have grave consequences.” ~ Ben Witherington III, Historian & Theologian

13. “Jesus, a complete outsider to the power structure of the Temple, issues a challenge to the authority of the Temple that quite literally shakes its foundations. Jesus throws the mechanics of temple worship into chaos, disrupting the temple system during one of the most significant feasts of the year so that neither sacrifices nor tithes could be offered that day. “ ~ Gail R. O’Day, New Testament Scholar “Jesus, a complete outsider to the power structure of the Temple, issues a challenge to the authority of the Temple that quite literally shakes its foundations. Jesus throws the mechanics of temple worship into chaos, disrupting the temple system during one of the most significant feasts of the year so that neither sacrifices nor tithes could be offered that day. “ ~ Gail R. O’Day, New Testament Scholar

14. When the leading priests and teachers of religious law heard what Jesus had done, they began planning how to kill him. But they were afraid of him because the people were so enthusiastic about Jesus' teaching. ~ Mark 11:18 (NLT) When the leading priests and teachers of religious law heard what Jesus had done, they began planning how to kill him. But they were afraid of him because the people were so enthusiastic about Jesus' teaching. ~ Mark 11:18 (NLT)

16. Then the chief priests and the Pharisees called a meeting of the Sanhedrin and said: … "If we let him go on like this, everyone will believe in him, and then the Romans will come and take away both our temple and our nation." ~ John 11:47-48 (TNIV) Then the chief priests and the Pharisees called a meeting of the Sanhedrin and said: … "If we let him go on like this, everyone will believe in him, and then the Romans will come and take away both our temple and our nation." ~ John 11:47-48 (TNIV)

17. It was taught: On the day before the Passover they hanged Jesus. A herald went before him for forty days [proclaiming], “He will be stoned, because he practiced magic and enticed Israel to go astray. Let anyone who knows anything in his favour come forward and plead for him.” But nothing was found in his favour, and they hanged him on the day before the Passover. ~ Babylonian Talmud (Sanhedrin 43a) It was taught: On the day before the Passover they hanged Jesus. A herald went before him for forty days [proclaiming], “He will be stoned, because he practiced magic and enticed Israel to go astray. Let anyone who knows anything in his favour come forward and plead for him.” But nothing was found in his favour, and they hanged him on the day before the Passover. ~ Babylonian Talmud (Sanhedrin 43a)

18. But the chief priests and Pharisees had given orders that if anyone found out where Jesus was, he should report it so that they might arrest him. ~ John 11:57 (TNIV) But the chief priests and Pharisees had given orders that if anyone found out where Jesus was, he should report it so that they might arrest him. ~ John 11:57 (TNIV)

19. Rejoice greatly, O people of Zion! Shout in triumph, O people of Jerusalem! Look, your king is coming to you. He is righteous and victorious, yet he is humble, riding on a donkey—even on a donkey's colt. ~ Zechariah 9:9 (NLT) Rejoice greatly, O people of Zion! Shout in triumph, O people of Jerusalem! Look, your king is coming to you. He is righteous and victorious, yet he is humble, riding on a donkey—even on a donkey's colt. ~ Zechariah 9:9 (NLT)

20. When Jesus entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred and asked, "Who is this?" The crowds answered, "This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee." ~ Matthew 21:10-11 (TNIV) When Jesus entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred and asked, "Who is this?" The crowds answered, "This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee." ~ Matthew 21:10-11 (TNIV)

21. Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. ~ Matthew 5:5 (TNIV) Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. ~ Matthew 5:5 (TNIV)

22. Since God chose you to be the holy people whom he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. ~ Colossians 3:12 (NLT) Since God chose you to be the holy people whom he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. ~ Colossians 3:12 (NLT)

23. In fact, every cooking pot in Jerusalem and Judah will be set apart as holy to the Lord Almighty. All who come to worship will be free to use any of these pots to boil their sacrifices. And on that day there will no longer be traders in the Temple of the Lord Almighty. ~ Zechariah 14:21 (NLT) In fact, every cooking pot in Jerusalem and Judah will be set apart as holy to the Lord Almighty. All who come to worship will be free to use any of these pots to boil their sacrifices. And on that day there will no longer be traders in the Temple of the Lord Almighty. ~ Zechariah 14:21 (NLT)

24. For there is only one God and one Mediator who can reconcile God and people. He is the man Christ Jesus. ~ 1 Timothy 2:5 (NLT) For there is only one God and one Mediator who can reconcile God and people. He is the man Christ Jesus. ~ 1 Timothy 2:5 (NLT)

25. God Us Jesus Revelation Salvation

26. The Jews then responded to him, "What sign can you show us to prove your authority to do all this?" [19] Jesus answered them, "Destroy this temple, and I will raise it again in three days." [20] They replied, "It has taken forty-six years to build this temple, and you are going to raise it in three days?" [21] But the temple he had spoken of was his body. ~ John 2:18-21 (TNIV) The Jews then responded to him, "What sign can you show us to prove your authority to do all this?" [19] Jesus answered them, "Destroy this temple, and I will raise it again in three days." [20] They replied, "It has taken forty-six years to build this temple, and you are going to raise it in three days?" [21] But the temple he had spoken of was his body. ~ John 2:18-21 (TNIV)

27. Don't you know that you yourselves are God's temple and that God's Spirit dwells in your midst? [17] If anyone destroys God's temple, God will destroy that person; for God's temple is sacred, and you together are that temple. ~ 1 Corinthians 3:16-17 (TNIV) Don't you know that you yourselves are God's temple and that God's Spirit dwells in your midst? [17] If anyone destroys God's temple, God will destroy that person; for God's temple is sacred, and you together are that temple. ~ 1 Corinthians 3:16-17 (TNIV)