Revelation: Christ and the Churches

For Fear Of The Jews

Transcript: AI Transcript

Professor: John Weaver

Subject: New Testament Studies

Genre: Sermon

Dictation Name:

Date: 2018-09-17

Synopsis: Pastor John Weaver examines John 7:1 to explain why Jesus avoided Judea because the ruling Jewish elite sought to kill Him. He argues that the term 'Jews' in the New Testament often refers to a powerful religious clique, not all Judeans, and that true anti-Semitism is opposition to Jesus Christ, the seed of Abraham. The sermon warns against the fear of man and calls believers to fear God alone, which overcomes the fear of any ruling elite.

[John Weaver] >>[music in the background throughout the video.] John 7 verse 1 the scripture says, After these things Jesus walked in Galilee, for He would not walk in Jury, because the Jews sought to kill Him. The title of the message today is, For Fear of the Jews. Lord willing, next Sunday I'm going to bring the message, Overcoming the Fear of the Jews. And if you read the New Testament you're going to discover that the fear of the Jews brought heartache and shame to many believers in the days of the Lord Jesus Christ. And it's equally true today. We have been warned in Proverbs 29 and verse 25, that the fear of man bringeth a snare. Whenever it is pointed out from the scripture that it was the Jews who had Jesus Christ crucified usually Jewish organizations like the ADL or the Southern Poverty Law Center will rise up and call you an anti-Semite. In fact there are so many today that kind of believe that whatever the Jews do that it can't be wrong and they can't be criticized regardless of what they do.

[John Weaver] But have you ever really wondered about the term Semite or Shemite? Let me ask this simple question, how can one be classified as an Anti-Semite if he believes in Jesus Christ? I'm going to show you from the scripture how the Jews themselves are in reality Anti-Semites.

[John Weaver] Now you remember that Noah had three sons, Shem, Ham, and Japheth." Everything in the Old Testament and the New Testament came through Shem. When I'm talking about everything I'm talking about that which is spiritual, that which is right, that which is holy. If you will look in your Bibles holding John chapter 7 but go in your Bibles to the book of Genesis chapter 11 and look if you would please at verse 10. Genesis 11 and verse 10 and you are going to see that we have here the lineage of Shem. Of course the Bible gives the lineage of Ham and Japheth as well. But in Genesis chapter 11 and verse 10 the Bible says this, These are the generations of Shem. Shem was 100 years old and Meged are faxed two years after the Flood. So if you read on down you are going to find everyone who is in the line of Shem. Now, if you will skip down to verse 26 and 27, and Terah lived 70 years and Meged, Abram, Nahor, and Haran.

[John Weaver] Now these are the generations of Tira. Tira begat Abram, that is Abraham, Nahar and Haran, and Haran begat Lot. Now the interesting thing is we find that Lot is a descendant of Shem. Lot was the one who produced the Ammonites and the Moabites. So my question would be this, if you were against the Ammonites and the Moabites you be considered an anti-Semite? Let me show you something else. If you will look in Genesis chapter 25 you will remember that Abraham and Sarah had one son Isaac. You will also remember that Abraham and Hagar the Egyptian had one son Ishmael. So Ishmael would be in the lineage of Shem since he is the son of Abraham.

[John Weaver] So you would have to understand that the Ishmaelites would be Semites as well. But when you look in Genesis 25 and verse 1 after Sarah died the Bible said that again Abraham took a wife and her name was Keturah. Shibarim, Zimram, and Jokshan, and Midan, and Midian, and Ishbak, and Shuah, and Jokshan begat Sheba, and Dedan, and the sons of Dedan were Asherim, and Latushim, and Limunim, and the sons of Midian, Ephon, Ephor, and Hanok, and Abida, and Eldahah.

[John Weaver] All these are the children of Ketira. So, when we are talking about someone being an anti-Semite reality you would have to be against an awful lot of people because Abraham is a straight descendant of Shem, and those whom he produced would also be in that lineage as well. You will find the same thing repeated in 1 Chronicles chapter 1 verses 32 and 33 about all the children of Abraham by Keturah. So, would these children be considered to be Semites as well since they came from the loins of Abraham? So if one is going to be classified as an anti-Semitic individual he must be against an awful lot of people and not just the Jews. So here is a good question to ask, how did the Jews become the only Semitic people? In fact if you look up the word Semitic it says anyone who speaks a Semitic language they claim to be the Semites, or the Shemites, anyone who is against them would be classified as the Anti-Semite.

[John Weaver] Let me make this statement and let me show it to you from the Bible. The greatest Anti-Semite would be someone who is against Jesus Christ. And let me show you why. If you will look in your Bibles to the book of Matthew chapter 1 and verse 1, the very first verse in the New Testament, We have a declaration concerning Jesus Christ and who He is. Note if you would please, Matthew chapter 1 and verse 1 the scripture says this, the book of the generation of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham. Ah, Jesus Christ is the true son of David.

[John Weaver] He is the King of Israel. In fact He is King of Kings, and Lord of Lords, and God of Gods. But He is also called the Son of Abraham. All of the promises that God gave to Abraham He gave to Abraham in Jesus Christ. And when you look in the book of Galatians you find that Jesus Christ is the true seed of Abraham. So that is why I am saying anyone who is against Jesus Christ would be the true anti-Semite as well. Also you've got to consider this, according to the Bible there are those who claim to be Jews who are not really Jews. For instance if you will turn in your Bibles to the book of Revelation chapter 2 you will find that there were impostors in the New Testament, and there are impostors today as well. But notice in Revelation chapter 2 and verse 9, and by the way the Lord is speaking to the churches Revelation chapter 2 and in Revelation chapter 3. So in Revelation chapter 2 and verse 9 he's still talking to the church of Ephesus and he says this, I know thy works and thy tribulation and poverty but thou art rich and I know the blasphemy of them that say they are Jews and are not but are of the synagogue of Satan.

[John Weaver] So he says here are some that claim to be Jews but they are not, they are the synagogue of Satan. And if you will look in Revelation 3 and verse 9 again he is talking here to the church of Philadelphia. He says,"'Behold, I will make them of the synagogue of Satan, which say they are Jews and are not, but do lie. Behold, I will make them come and worship before thy feet, and to know that I have loved thee.'" So, there is a whole group of people who then claim to be Jews who are not really Jews at all.

[John Weaver] Now, I know some of you have heard, you probably do not remember, but years ago I did a six part series on who is Israel. And I also did a five part series on Jews, Judaism, and Christianity. I would encourage you to hear those if you have not heard them, and to re-listen to them if you have heard them. But let me just give you a couple of things just to refresh your mind.

[John Weaver] And I've pointed this out recently, I'll do it again. But the very first time the word Jews occurs in our Bible you will find it in 2 Kings chapter 16 and verse 6. 2 Kings 16 and verse 6. The Bible says, at that time Rezin the king of Syria recovered Eloth to Syria and drove the Jews from Eloth and the Syrians came to Eloth and dwell there unto this day. Now Eloth was down below Judah. And here you have the word Jews.

[John Weaver] Actually it is referring to Judeans those who live in the southern kingdom. Now, I want to just remind you how the word Jews is used in the Bible. In the Hebrew the word is Udahas or Yehudi. Yehudi is the word, Yehudi. And it refers mainly to a descendant of Judah, who is of the tribe of Judah, someone who lives in the land of Judea, but it is used six different ways in the Bible. Sometimes it refers to a person or persons just from the tribe of Judah. Sometimes it refers to the kingdom of Judah. Sometimes it refers to the land of Judea. Sometimes for the nation of Judah. Sometimes for the house of Judah. And sixthly, it is also used to refer to the religion of the Jews.

[John Weaver] Now, in the New Testament, the Greek word is udios, which literally means a Judean. When you think in the Old Testament of the term Jew, you think of it in terms of a land or a country or a nation or a people. not so in the New Testament and not so today. It is ignorance as well as being unbiblical to refer to all Israelites as Jews. The original Judahites were Israelites, but not all Israelites were Judahites.

[John Weaver] Let me say that another way. The original Jews were Israelites, but not all Israelites are Jews. And the reason I'm saying that is because the term Jews came from those people who lived in the southern kingdom of Judea. The northern kingdom, they were just simply known as Israelites. Here's a quote from the Jewish Almanac on page three. Listen to what it says. Strictly speaking, it is incorrect to call an ancient Israelite a Jew call a contemporary Jew an Israelite or a Hebrew." Now, that comes from the Jewish Almanac. It says, it is incorrect to call an ancient Israelite a Jew, and it is also incorrect to call a contemporary Jew an Israelite or a Hebrew. Now, the Jews had of course their own religion, and that religion was Judaism.

[John Weaver] perverted from the Torah, from the Old Testament teaching. And if you will turn in your Bibles to the book of Acts I'm going to show you how this is used in the Scripture. In the book of Acts chapter 26 verses 4 and 5 the Apostle Paul is giving a defense of himself and he makes this statement, in Acts chapter 26 beginning there with verse 4, he is Answering to King Agrippa. He's standing before him and he says in verse 4 my manner of life from my youth Which was at the first among mine own nation at Jerusalem know all the Jews Which knew me from the beginning if they would testify that after the most straightest sect of our religion I lived a Pharisee Notice he said, of our religion. They had their own religion. Now, if you will turn in your Bibles to the book of Galatians. Right after 2 Corinthians you have the book of Galatians chapter 1. And look if you would please at verses 13 and 14. Because here the Apostle Paul again talks about the Jews religion.

[John Weaver] In verse 13, He says, for you have heard of my conversation in times past in the Jews religion. How that beyond measure I persecuted the church of God and wasted it. Now obviously there is a contrast here between Christianity and the Jews religion. The Jews religion was that which persecuted the church of God. Then he said in verse 14, And profited in the Jews religion above many of my equals in mine own nation, being more exceedingly zealous of the tradition of my fathers. So twice in two verses he talks about the Jews religion. When you hear the term Jew today you do not think of a nation, you do not think of a land, you do not think of a country, you think of a religion. And that is how it is used in the New Testament is to denote a religion.

[John Weaver] So that brings me to this statement again which shocks those people, but it is still true. In the strictest sense of the word Jesus Christ was not a Jew. He was of the tribe of Judah. He was a Judahite. He also was born in the southern kingdom in Bethlehem, which means he would be a Judean. But he was raised in Galilee and in Nazareth, which is in the northern kingdom. His time in the southern kingdom was very minute. Jesus Christ did not embrace the religion of the Jews, therefore he was not a Jew.

[John Weaver] If you will go back in your Bibles to John chapter 7 and verse 1, I want you to see this. Here the Jews are trying to kill Jesus Christ. There is an obvious difference between Jesus Christ and the Jews. The Bible says after these things Jesus walked in Galilee that is the northern kingdom for he would not walk in Jewry And that is in Judea in the southern kingdom because the Jews sought to kill him now the reason he was attacked so viciously by the Jews is because he destroyed their religion

[John Weaver] and exposed their unbiblical traditions and their violation of God's law. Thus, they hated him and tried to destroy him. Thus, the true anti-Semites would be the Jews themselves because Jesus Christ is the true son of David and Jesus Christ is the true son of Abraham.

[John Weaver] Now, let me point something else out. Look in verse 1 of chapter 7 again. these things Jesus walked in Galilee for he would not walk in Judea because the Jews sought to kill him." So let me ask you a question, did every Judean, did every person in the Southern Kingdom seek to kill Jesus Christ? And the answer is no. So sometimes when you see this phrase, the Jews, it does not even refer to the people of Judea.

[John Weaver] anyone of the tribe of Judah, it refers to a ruling elite, to a ruling clique, to those who held the power. Now, interestingly enough I'm going to show you this in the Bible. Look in your Bibles to John chapter 7 and verse 13. I told you the title of this message was, The Fear of the Jews. Well, look at verse 13 of John 7. Howbeit no man spake openly of him, that is of Jesus Christ, for fear of the Jews. Why would they fear the Jews? They certainly, those in the southern kingdom, would be Judeans as well. But obviously, word or the phrase the Jews refers to someone else. Look in John chapter 19 and verse 38. John 19 verse 38. I'll come back and deal with this verse next Sunday Lord willing, but look at it. And after this Joseph of Arimathea being a disciple of Jesus, but secretly for fear of the Jews, Besought Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus. And Pilate gave him leave. He came, therefore, and took the body of Jesus.

[John Weaver] Know Joseph of Arimathea being a disciple of Jesus, but secretly for fear of the Jews." Well, he was a Judean himself. So the Jews here does not refer to everyone who lives in the Southern Kingdom. It refers to a ruling elite. If you will go back to John chapter 12, John 12, And let's begin reading there with verse 41 John 12 verse 41 Look what the Bible says These things said Isaiah when he saw his glory and spake of him nevertheless among the chief rulers also many believed on him But because of the

[John Weaver] Pharisees they did not confess him Lest they should be put out of the synagogue they love the praise of men more than the praise of God." Now, let me just remind you of something. The Sadducees controlled the Temple. They were the high priests in their lineage and their ilk. The Pharisees controlled the people and the populace, and they had control of the synagogue. So, was not every Judean that could have you kicked out of the synagogue. It was not every Judean that could have you excluded from the Temple. It was not every Judean that could have you arrested.

[John Weaver] It was the Jews, that is the ruling elite. If you will look in your Bibles to John 20 and verse 19, John 20 and verse 19 look what the Bible says concerning the disciples. Then the same day of the evening, being the first day of the week, that is Sunday, when the doors were shut, where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, came Jesus and stood in the midst and said unto them, Peace be unto you." So here the disciples are in this room with the doors shut and all probability locked. Why? For fear of the Jews. It was a ruling elite that could have them arrested. thrown into prisons and dungeons although in Israel there were no prisons, but the Romans had them and They were in league with the Romans now it was the Jews who had the power to expel from the synagogue and even the Sanhedrin and so many people in the days of Jesus Christ even some rulers who believed on Jesus Christ and not willing to confess Him for fear of the Jews.

[John Weaver] They did not want to confront the Jews. They did not want to cross the Jews. They did not want to be kicked out of the synagogue or excluded from the Temple.

[John Weaver] Now, if you will look in your Bibles to John chapter 9, John chapter 9 you are going to find if we had time to read this passage here is a man that was born blind from birth. and our Lord healed this man. It was never heard of before that one born blind had been healed, but our Lord healed him. And of course, the Jews got in on it because he was healed on the Sabbath day.

[John Weaver] So let's begin reading there with verse, let's begin reading with verse 14. And it was the Sabbath day when Jesus made the clay and opened his eyes. Then again the Pharisees also asked him, notice the Pharisees now, the Pharisees also asked him how he had received his sight. He said to them, he put clay upon mine eyes and I washed and do see. Therefore said some of the Pharisees, this man is not of God because he keepeth not the Sabbath day. Others said, how can a man that is a sinner do such miracles?

[John Weaver] And there was a vision concerning them. And they say unto the blind man again, what sayest thou of him that he hath opened thine eyes? He said, he is a prophet. But the Jews, what Jews? The ruling elite, the Pharisees, to whom he is speaking. But the Jews did not believe concerning him that he had been born blind, or that he had been blind and received his sight, until they called the parents of him that had received his sight. And they asked him, saying, Is this your son whom you say was born blind?

[John Weaver] How then doth he now see? His parents answered them and said, We know that this is our son, and that he was born blind, but by what means he now seeth, we know not. For who hath opened his eyes, or who hath opened his eyes, we know not. He is of age, ask him, he shall speak for himself.

[John Weaver] Now watch, these words spake his parents, because they feared the Jews. For the Jews had agreed already that if any man did confess that he was the Christ, he should be put out of the synagogue. Therefore, said his parents, he's of age. Ask him. So it was not every Judean that could have you put out of the synagogue. It was the Pharisees. It was a ruling elite.

[John Weaver] An interesting thing is this. I have never read anywhere in the New Testament where the common people tried to murder or kill Jesus Christ. On the contrary, on Mark 12 and verse 37 the Bible says, and the common people heard Him gladly. They listened. They wanted to hear. So you have to ask yourself this question, Why then did the Jews, and by using that phrase I'm now referring to the ruling elite, the power group that was in control of religion during the time of Christ, why did they want to murder Jesus Christ? Well, there are a number of answers to that question. First of all, they sought to murder Him because He violated their traditions and their belief system.

[John Weaver] And He had the audacity to challenge them and to demonstrate their error and their lawlessness. Now, over and over they charged Him with violating the Sabbath. Well, our Lord never violated the Sabbath. What He did violate was their interpretation of the Sabbath. What he didn't violate was their tradition Concerning the Sabbath and so they sought to murder him now if you'll look in John chapter 5 John chapter 5 our Lord has healed a man at the pool of Bethesda and Let's begin reading there if you would please with verse 15 fact look at verse 2 Look at verse 2 of John 5 Now there is at Jerusalem by the sheet market a pool which is called in the Hebrew tongue Bethesda having five porches Now this pool was in Jerusalem. Jerusalem is in the southern kingdom It was the capital of the southern kingdom Okay, so we're talking about the Judah ite's Who live in Judea? So go back now, if you would, please, to John chapter five. And look, if you would, please, at verse.

[John Weaver] Fifteen, the man departed and told the Jews. Did he tell everybody in Judea? No. He told the rulers that it was Jesus who had made him whole. Therefore, did the Jews, that is a religious clique, persecute Jesus and sought to slay him because he had done these things on the Sabbath day? He violated their interpretation of the Sabbath he did not violate the Sabbath, but let me show you what really ticked them off Because he said that God was his father and when he said that The implication was since God is his father. He is God as well So look in verse 17, but Jesus answered them. My father worketh hitherto and I work and Therefore the Jews, not all the Judeans, just the ruling elite, therefore the Jews sought the Lord to kill Him. Why? Because He had not only broken the Sabbath, that is their interpretation, but said also that God was His Father making Himself equal with God. Wow! Now, our Lord had the audacity to point out that these people really had no faith.

[John Weaver] They did not even believe Torah they did not even believe the writings of Moses which they claim to believe So if you will skip down to John 5 in verse 44 Look what our Lord asked them He asked them. How can you believe which receive honor one of another? And seek not the honor that cometh from God only Do not think that I will accuse you to the father. I There is one that accuseth you, even Moses, in whom you trust. For had you believed Moses, you would have believed me, for he wrote of me. But if you believe not his writings, how shall you believe my words? So as you claim to be people of the book, you claim to believe the Old Testament, you don't even believe Moses. Had you believed him, you would believe me. Obviously our Lord said I don't have to condemn you Moses will do that Because if you had received his words you had received my words Now if you will turn right over to Luke chapter 13 Luke chapter 13, let me show you how indignant How unbiblical how ungodly a lot of these were.

[John Weaver] In Luke chapter 13 beginning there with verse 10, here is where our Lord heals the woman in the synagogue. Luke 13 verse 10, and He was teaching in one of the synagogues on the Sabbath. Note if you would it is on a Sabbath. And behold there was a woman which had a spirit of infirmity eighteen years and was bowed together and could in no wise lift up herself. so she was bent over and could not straighten up. And when Jesus saw her, he called her to him and said unto her, Woman, thou art loose from thine infirmity.

[John Weaver] And he laid his hands on her, and immediately she was made straight and glorified God. Had the ruler of the synagogue answered with indignation because that Jesus had healed on the Sabbath day, and said unto the people, There are six days in which men ought to work, in them therefore come and be healed, but not on the Sabbath day. The Lord then answered him and said, Thou hypocrite, doth not each one of you on the Sabbath loose his ox or his ass from the stall, and lead him away to watering? And ought not this woman, being a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan hath bound lo these eighteen years, be loose from this bond on the Sabbath day?

[John Weaver] And when he had said these things all of his adversaries were ashamed and all the people that is the common people rejoiced For all the glorious things that were done by him. So here is this ruler of the synagogue Saying you should not have healed that woman on the Sabbath day. Would you call this ruler an anti-semite? Because he was against the healing of a daughter of Abraham and You see what I'm saying? Obviously these people hated Jesus Christ.

[John Weaver] Now, the truth of the matter is this, our Lord exposed their sins, and their wickedness, and their unbelief. Secondly, here's another reason why they wanted killing. They understood that they did not do something all the people would end up following him and They would lose their position and they are their power If you look in John chapter 11 in John chapter 11 Jesus Christ raises Lazarus from the dead and There's an interesting Thing that happens In John chapter

[John Weaver] 11 Let's begin reading there with verse 44. Here's where our Lord raises him from the dead John 11 verse 44 and he that was dead came forth bound hand and foot with great clothes and his face was bound about with a napkin Jesus said of them loose him and let him go then many of the Jews or Judeans and which came to Mary, and had seen the things which Jesus did, believed on him." So there the term Jews refers to the people, the common people. Watch this. But some of them went their ways to the Pharisees, that is the other Jews, and told them what things Jesus had done. Ah. So you have the term the Jews referring just to the common people or the Judeans. And then you have the Pharisees singled out. The Pharisees, the Sadducees, the chief priests, the scribes, all of these were rulers. Now, of course, since so many believed, look what happens in verse 47. Then gathered the chief priests, the Sadducees, and the Pharisees a council, and said, What do we for this man doeth many miracles?

[John Weaver] If we let him thus alone, All men will believe on Him. Now the Romans shall come and take away both our place and our nation. Oh, let's see now. We're not really concerned whether the people get healed. We're not really concerned whether the people get saved. We're not really concerned whether the people believe on Him or not. What we're really concerned about is we're going to lose our position. We're going to lose our power. The Romans will come and take away both our place and our nation.

[John Weaver] So here you have the Jews. Now, if you look in John 12 and verse 19, again, look what the Pharisees said concerning Jesus Christ. John 12, verse 19, the Pharisees therefore said among themselves, perceive you how you prevail nothing. Behold, the world is going after him. So they had to do something to stop Jesus Christ.

[John Weaver] Now, Let me ask you a question. I want you to go back and look at John 7 with me just for a moment John 7 verse 1 I want you to look at this The Bible says after these things Jesus walked in Galilee that is in the northern kingdom For he would not walk in Jewry that is in Judea in the southern kingdom because the Jews sought to kill him and light of these texts We have to ask, why then did he not walk in Jure? Why did he not preach and teach in Judea at this time? And the answer is that our Lord was not just simply being prudent. He was prudent, but he's refusing to tempt his father. Prudence does indeed dictate that we withdraw ourselves in order to protect our lives But there's a greater truth here that is we cannot tempt God if you would go back in your Bibles to Matthew chapter 4 And I just want to show you one of the temptations That was delivered unto Jesus Christ

[John Weaver] by Satan Matthew 4 beginning there with verse 5 and Then the devil taking them up into the holy city, and setting them on a pinnacle of the temple, and said unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down. For it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee, and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone. Jesus said unto him, It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God.

[John Weaver] And notice first of all, the temptation. Get up on the pinnacle of the temple, jump off. Let God catch you. Let God save you. And then the devil even quotes scripture. He shall give his angels charge concerning that you will read that in the Bible, in the book of Psalms. Wow. Jesus answered him, thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God. If I knew that Steve was trying to kill me, if I knew that, Would it not be absolutely foolish for me to hang around him? I would avoid him like the plague There's a vast difference between faith and foolishness if you want to climb to the top of the Empire State Building and get on the ledge and Jump off and as you jump you say Lord catch me.

[John Weaver] I You're going to make a big splatter on the street. Because that's tempting God. That's being absolutely foolish. That's being stupid. Our Lord was not going to tempt his father. He was not going to hang around these individuals who sought to kill him.

[John Weaver] Now, when the Bible says in John chapter 7, watch it carefully in verse 1, when the Bible says there, in John chapter 7 verse 1, that he walked no more in jewelry But he walked in Galilee. What that means is he went to Galilee, he lived, he walked, he taught, he preached. In other words, his life there was centered around Galilee. And Galilee, of course, is in the northern kingdom.

[John Weaver] There was no cessation in the work of Christ. He just moved to a different location. So, this passage teaches us very clearly that we do not need to uselessly and needlessly expose ourselves to danger. The sixth commandment, thou shalt not kill. The positive is thou shalt preserve life. So each of us then have a duty, responsibility and an obligation to preserve our lives and do whatever is necessary to preserve our lives. So it's lawful and is indeed advisable for good men to do whatever is necessary to preserve their lives so that they can be of further use to God and his kingdom and in his work.

[John Weaver] You must remember what our Lord said in Matthew 10 in verse 23 to his disciples. He said, when they persecute you in this city, flee you to another city. If they don't want you here, fine, leave, go someplace else. It's just that simple. And so we find then it is these Jews who hate Jesus Christ who want to kill him, the ruling elite. Now, by the way, I think it's John 19, before Pilate you remember that passage when Pilate was willing to let Jesus Christ go and he asked shall I release unto you the king of Jews or Barabbas and the Bible says and the chief priests stirred up the people to cry Barabbas Barabbas so the people did not necessarily want to see Jesus Christ crucified. But it was the high priests who once again had Jesus Christ crucified. They did not want Him around. There's a second reason, I believe, why Jesus Christ did not walk in jury after this. And that is because salvation, light, and gospel truth shall be taken from those who refuse it Do not want it Here's a very simple question Why would Jesus Christ waste his time preaching to a people?

[John Weaver] Who did not want the truth and would not receive the truth? Why would I waste my time? Preaching to people who did not want the truth Certainly, I would preach at least one time that is for sure, but let me tell you something one of the greatest judgments that God can issue against any people is to just simply let them alone. I want you to look in your Bibles to Matthew chapter 15. Matthew chapter 15 and let's begin reading there with verse 12. Jesus Christ has been preaching and teaching and of course He's really nailed the Pharisees. He's called them hypocrites.

[John Weaver] He tells them that Isaiah prophesied correctly that you draw near to me with your mouth and you honor me with your lips. But your heart is far from me. He's told them that in vain they worship him. And what they really worship is the tradition of men. Look, if you would, please, at verse 12. Then came His disciples, that is the disciples of Jesus Christ, then came His disciples and said unto Him, knowest thou that the Pharisees were offended after they heard this saying?

[John Weaver] Verses 10 and 11 particularly. No, they were upset, they were hurt. But He answered and said, every plant which my Heavenly Father hath not planted shall be rooted up. Let them alone. They be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall in the ditch.

[John Weaver] Now, the Pharisees could care less about the Word of God. They cared about their traditions. They could care less about the Word of God. They cared about their rituals, their ceremonies. And when the disciples came and said, they are offended, our Lord said, hath no skin off my nose. Basically that is what He said, leave them alone. They don't want the truth. They won't listen to the truth. Let them alone.

[John Weaver] Let them die in their sins. If the blind lead the blind both are going to fall in the ditch. Just let them alone. If you will turn right over in your Bibles to the book of Mark chapter 6. Look at what our Lord told His disciples. He sent them forth preaching in Mark chapter 6 and verse 11. Look what He said, And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear you, when you depart thence, shake off the dust under your feet for a testimony against them.

[John Weaver] Verily I say unto you, it shall be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment than for that city." What? He said, if they won't receive you, if they won't hear you, they don't want any part of the gospel, shake the dust from off your feet. Leave them alone. Let them die in their sins. I mean, If they won't listen, if they won't receive the Word of God, that's the only other possible alternative.

[John Weaver] If you look at Acts chapter 13, Acts chapter 13, and notice if you would please verses 45 and 46. Watch Acts 13 verse 45. Paul and Barnabas had been preaching, great crowds Come to hear them in fact look in verse 44 and the next Sabbath day came almost the whole city together to hear the Word of God Wow Verse 45 but when the Jews saw the multitudes they were filled with envy and And spake against those things which were spoken by Paul, contradicting and blaspheming. Then Paul and Barnabas waxed bold and said, it was necessary that the word of God should first have been spoken to you.

[John Weaver] But seeing you put it far from you and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, lo, we turn to the Gentiles. We'll leave you alone. We'll let you die in your sin. You don't have to listen to us. You refusing the Word of God, you will die in your sins. When Jesus Christ walked away from Judea, he was basically leaving them alone to die in their sins. Wow.

[John Weaver] Now, let me make an application. I just want one today. The title of the message is for fear of the Jews. And the phrase, the fear of the Jews, referred to the ruling elite, the power click of our Lord's day. Well, we've got a power click and a ruling elite in our day. In fact, Probably a number of them and the truth of the matter is most people refuse to speak out and Refuse to confess Jesus Christ for fear of the ruling elite Proverbs 29 verse 25 the fear of man bringing the snare so fear not only in snares fear also in slaves How in the world do we overcome the fear of man? And the answer is the only way that we can overcome the fear of man is by fearing God properly, rightly, and biblically.

[John Weaver] I want you to look in your Bibles to the book of Luke chapter 12 and what our Lord says. Luke chapter 12 and notice verses 4 and 5. Luke 12 verses 4 and 5. Our Lord says it like this, But I say unto you, my friends, be not afraid of them that kill the body, and after they have no more that they can do. But I will forewarn you whom you shall fear. Fear him, which after he is killed hath power to cast into hell. Yea, I say unto you, fear him.

[John Weaver] Have you ever stopped to think about this? The worst the very worst that man can do to you is to take your life Now nobody wants to die But if you're a child of God if you're a Christian if you do lose your life Well, the Bible says to be absent from the body to be present with the Lord I mean you just get an early promotion to glory is what it amounts to So why in the world should we fear anyone and could just bring us into the presence of the Lord.

[John Weaver] It's true our goods may be confiscated. It's true our liberties may be taken from us. But those are minor compared to losing our lives. So our Lord said, I'll tell you what you just better fear the One True and the Living God because if He kills you He only has power to kill, He has power to cast you into Hell. Your fear should be directed to Him. So if we fear God properly we are not going to fear man. David gives us a statement of faith in Psalm 56 and verse 11 when he said this, in God have I put my trust I will not be afraid of what man can do unto me. In God have I put my trust I will not be afraid of what man can do unto me. Again, he said it in Psalm 118, verse 6, the Lord is on my side, I will not fear. And then he asked this question, what can man do unto me? In other words, man can't do anything as long as I am with the Lord and I have the Lord.

[John Weaver] You remember David also said, yea, if 10,000 compass me about, yet I will not fear. Why? Because his fear was of God and of God alone. If we fear God properly, we will not fear man. We need to ask ourselves a simple question. Who do we really fear? Do we fear the power elite? Do we fear prison? Do we fear confiscation of goods? Do we fear loss of life? Or do we fear God? We must learn to overcome the fear of the ruling elite, regardless of who they are and where they are.

[John Weaver] Father, in the name of Jesus Christ, we bow to you this day. We thank you for your word. We thank you for your truth. We pray that you would help us to be fearless and bold and brave. And Lord, help us to proclaim thy word. In the name of Jesus Christ, we ask and pray. Amen.

[John Weaver] so so

For Fear Of The Jews

John Weaver | YouTube

Lecture Metadata	Details
Speaker	John Weaver
Source	YouTube
Media ID	W-blQ9y_J8U
Subject	New Testament Studies
Course	Revelation: Christ and the Churches
Genre	Sermon
Date	2018-09-17
Dictation Name
Book	Book 139: Revelation: Christ and the Churches — Chapter 18
Source Timed Segments	63

Formatted Transcript

Introduction: The Fear of the Jews in Scripture and Today

Weaver introduces John 7:1 and the theme of fearing the Jews, noting that this fear brought shame to believers in Christ's day and continues today, often suppressed by accusations of anti-Semitism.

[music in the background throughout the video.] John 7 verse 1 the scripture says,

Scripture Reading — John 7:1

"After these things Jesus walked in Galilee, for He would not walk in Jewry, because the Jews sought to kill Him."

The title of the message today is, "For Fear of the Jews." Lord willing, next Sunday I'm going to bring the message, "Overcoming the Fear of the Jews." And if you read the New Testament you're going to discover that the fear of the Jews brought heartache and shame to many believers in the days of the Lord Jesus Christ. And it's equally true today. We have been warned in Proverbs 29 and verse 25, that "the fear of man bringeth a snare." Whenever it is pointed out from the scripture that it was the Jews who had Jesus Christ crucified, usually Jewish organizations like the ADL or the Southern Poverty Law Center will rise up and call you an anti-Semite. In fact there are so many today that kind of believe that whatever the Jews do, that it can't be wrong and they can't be criticized regardless of what they do.

Who Are the Semites? Biblical Lineage of Shem

Weaver traces the descendants of Shem through Abraham, including Ishmael, the children of Keturah, Lot, and others, arguing that 'Semite' encompasses many peoples, not just Jews.

Now you remember that Noah had three sons, Shem, Ham, and Japheth. Everything in the Old Testament and the New Testament came through Shem. When I'm talking about everything I'm talking about that which is spiritual, that which is right, that which is holy. If you will look in your Bibles holding John chapter 7 but go in your Bibles to the book of Genesis chapter 11 and look if you would please at verse 10. Genesis 11 and verse 10 and you are going to see that we have here the lineage of Shem. Of course the Bible gives the lineage of Ham and Japheth as well. But in Genesis chapter 11 and verse 10 the Bible says this,

Scripture Reading — Genesis 11:10-27

"These are the generations of Shem. Shem was 100 years old and begat Arphaxad two years after the Flood."

So if you read on down you are going to find everyone who is in the line of Shem. Now, if you will skip down to verse 26 and 27,

Scripture Reading — Genesis 11:10-27

"and Terah lived 70 years and begat Abram, Nahor, and Haran."

Now these are the generations of Terah. Terah begat Abram, that is Abraham, Nahor and Haran, and Haran begat Lot. Now the interesting thing is we find that Lot is a descendant of Shem. Lot was the one who produced the Ammonites and the Moabites. So my question would be this, if you were against the Ammonites and the Moabites would you be considered an anti-Semite? Let me show you something else. If you will look in Genesis chapter 25 you will remember that Abraham and Sarah had one son Isaac. You will also remember that Abraham and Hagar the Egyptian had one son Ishmael. So Ishmael would be in the lineage of Shem since he is the son of Abraham.

So you would have to understand that the Ishmaelites would be Semites as well. But when you look in Genesis 25 and verse 1 after Sarah died the Bible said that again Abraham took a wife and her name was Keturah. She bare him Zimram, and Jokshan, and Medan, and Midian, and Ishbak, and Shuah. And Jokshan begat Sheba, and Dedan. And the sons of Dedan were Asshurim, and Letushim, and Leummim. And the sons of Midian; Ephah, and Epher, and Hanoch, and Abida, and Eldaah. All these are the children of Keturah. So, when we are talking about someone being an anti-Semite, in reality you would have to be against an awful lot of people because Abraham is a straight descendant of Shem, and those whom he produced would also be in that lineage as well. You will find the same thing repeated in 1 Chronicles chapter 1 verses 32 and 33 about all the children of Abraham by Keturah. So, would these children be considered to be Semites as well since they came from the loins of Abraham? So if one is going to be classified as an anti-Semitic individual he must be against an awful lot of people and not just the Jews. So here is a good question to ask, how did the Jews become the only Semitic people? In fact if you look up the word Semitic it says anyone who speaks a Semitic language they claim to be the Semites, or the Shemites, anyone who is against them would be classified as the Anti-Semite.

Jesus Christ: The True Son of Abraham and Anti-Semitism Defined

Weaver asserts that Jesus is the true seed of Abraham, making opposition to Him the ultimate anti-Semitism. He also notes that some who claim to be Jews are of the synagogue of Satan.

Let me make this statement and let me show it to you from the Bible. The greatest Anti-Semite would be someone who is against Jesus Christ. And let me show you why. If you will look in your Bibles to the book of Matthew chapter 1 and verse 1, the very first verse in the New Testament, we have a declaration concerning Jesus Christ and who He is. Note if you would please, Matthew chapter 1 and verse 1 the scripture says this, "The book of the generation of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham." Ah, Jesus Christ is the true son of David. He is the King of Israel. In fact He is King of Kings, and Lord of Lords, and God of Gods. But He is also called the Son of Abraham. All of the promises that God gave to Abraham He gave to Abraham in Jesus Christ. And when you look in the book of Galatians you find that Jesus Christ is the true seed of Abraham. So that is why I am saying anyone who is against Jesus Christ would be the true anti-Semite as well. Also you've got to consider this, according to the Bible there are those who claim to be Jews who are not really Jews. For instance if you will turn in your Bibles to the book of Revelation chapter 2 you will find that there were impostors in the New Testament, and there are impostors today as well. But notice in Revelation chapter 2 and verse 9, and by the way the Lord is speaking to the churches Revelation chapter 2 and in Revelation chapter 3. So in Revelation chapter 2 and verse 9 he's still talking to the church of Ephesus and he says this, "I know thy works and thy tribulation and poverty but thou art rich and I know the blasphemy of them that say they are Jews and are not but are of the synagogue of Satan."

So he says here are some that claim to be Jews but they are not, they are the synagogue of Satan. And if you will look in Revelation 3 and verse 9 again he is talking here to the church of Philadelphia. He says,

Scripture Reading — Revelation 2:9

"Behold, I will make them of the synagogue of Satan, which say they are Jews and are not, but do lie. Behold, I will make them come and worship before thy feet, and to know that I have loved thee."

So, there is a whole group of people who then claim to be Jews who are not really Jews at all.

Biblical Usage of 'Jew': Tribe, Land, Nation, and Religion

Weaver explains the Hebrew and Greek terms for 'Jew,' showing it can refer to a Judean, a member of the tribe of Judah, or a follower of the Jewish religion, and that not all Israelites are Jews.

And I've pointed this out recently, I'll do it again. But the very first time the word Jews occurs in our Bible you will find it in 2 Kings chapter 16 and verse 6. 2 Kings 16 and verse 6. The Bible says,

Scripture Reading — 2 Kings 16:6

"At that time Rezin the king of Syria recovered Elath to Syria and drove the Jews from Elath and the Syrians came to Elath and dwelt there unto this day."

Now Elath was down below Judah. And here you have the word Jews. Actually it is referring to Judeans, those who live in the southern kingdom. Now, I want to just remind you how the word Jews is used in the Bible. In the Hebrew the word is Yehudi. Yehudi is the word, Yehudi. And it refers mainly to a descendant of Judah, who is of the tribe of Judah, someone who lives in the land of Judea, but it is used six different ways in the Bible. Sometimes it refers to a person or persons just from the tribe of Judah. Sometimes it refers to the kingdom of Judah. Sometimes it refers to the land of Judea. Sometimes for the nation of Judah. Sometimes for the house of Judah. And sixthly, it is also used to refer to the religion of the Jews.

Now, in the New Testament, the Greek word is Ioudaios, which literally means a Judean. When you think in the Old Testament of the term Jew, you think of it in terms of a land or a country or a nation or a people. Not so in the New Testament and not so today. It is ignorance as well as being unbiblical to refer to all Israelites as Jews. The original Judahites were Israelites, but not all Israelites were Judahites. Let me say that another way. The original Jews were Israelites, but not all Israelites are Jews. And the reason I'm saying that is because the term Jews came from those people who lived in the southern kingdom of Judea. The northern kingdom, they were just simply known as Israelites. Here's a quote from the Jewish Almanac on page three. Listen to what it says. "Strictly speaking, it is incorrect to call an ancient Israelite a Jew or to call a contemporary Jew an Israelite or a Hebrew." Now, that comes from the Jewish Almanac. It says, it is incorrect to call an ancient Israelite a Jew, and it is also incorrect to call a contemporary Jew an Israelite or a Hebrew. Now, the Jews had of course their own religion, and that religion was Judaism.

Jesus Was Not a Jew in the Religious Sense

Weaver argues that Jesus, though of the tribe of Judah, did not embrace the religion of the Jews and was therefore not a Jew in the New Testament sense, which denotes a religious identity.

So that brings me to this statement again which shocks those people, but it is still true. In the strictest sense of the word Jesus Christ was not a Jew. He was of the tribe of Judah. He was a Judahite. He also was born in the southern kingdom in Bethlehem, which means he would be a Judean. But he was raised in Galilee and in Nazareth, which is in the northern kingdom. His time in the southern kingdom was very minute. Jesus Christ did not embrace the religion of the Jews, therefore he was not a Jew.

If you will go back in your Bibles to John chapter 7 and verse 1, I want you to see this. Here the Jews are trying to kill Jesus Christ. There is an obvious difference between Jesus Christ and the Jews. The Bible says, "After these things Jesus walked in Galilee," that is the northern kingdom, "for he would not walk in Jewry," and that is in Judea in the southern kingdom, "because the Jews sought to kill him." Now the reason he was attacked so viciously by the Jews is because he destroyed their religion

The 'Jews' as a Ruling Elite, Not All Judeans

Weaver demonstrates from John 7:13, 19:38, and other passages that 'the Jews' often refers to the Pharisees, chief priests, and rulers who held power, not the common people.

anyone of the tribe of Judah, it refers to a ruling elite, to a ruling clique, to those who held the power. Now, interestingly enough I'm going to show you this in the Bible. Look in your Bibles to John chapter 7 and verse 13. I told you the title of this message was,

Scripture Reading — John 7:13

"The Fear of the Jews."

Well, look at verse 13 of John 7.

Scripture Reading — John 7:13

"Howbeit no man spake openly of him,"

that is of Jesus Christ,

Scripture Reading — John 7:13

"for fear of the Jews."

Why would they fear the Jews? They certainly, those in the southern kingdom, would be Judeans as well. But obviously, the word or the phrase "the Jews" refers to someone else. Look in John chapter 19 and verse 38. John 19 verse 38. I'll come back and deal with this verse next Sunday Lord willing, but look at it. "And after this Joseph of Arimathea, being a disciple of Jesus, but secretly for fear of the Jews, besought Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus. And Pilate gave him leave. He came therefore, and took the body of Jesus."

Scripture Reading — John 19:38

"Now Joseph of Arimathea, being a disciple of Jesus, but secretly for fear of the Jews."

Well, he was a Judean himself. So the Jews here does not refer to everyone who lives in the Southern Kingdom. It refers to a ruling elite. If you will go back to John chapter 12, John 12, and let's begin reading there with verse 41. John 12 verse 41. Look what the Bible says. "These things said Isaiah, when he saw his glory, and spake of him. Nevertheless among the chief rulers also many believed on him; but because of the

Pharisees they did not confess him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue: for they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God." Now, let me just remind you of something. The Sadducees controlled the Temple. They were the high priests in their lineage and their ilk. The Pharisees controlled the people and the populace, and they had control of the synagogue. So, it was not every Judean that could have you kicked out of the synagogue. It was not every Judean that could have you excluded from the Temple. It was not every Judean that could have you arrested.

It was the Jews, that is the ruling elite. If you will look in your Bibles to John 20 and verse 19, John 20 and verse 19 look what the Bible says concerning the disciples.

Scripture Reading — John 20:19

"Then the same day at evening, being the first day of the week,"

that is Sunday,

Scripture Reading — John 20:19

"when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, came Jesus and stood in the midst, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you."

So here the disciples are in this room with the doors shut and in all probability locked. Why? For fear of the Jews. It was a ruling elite that could have them arrested, thrown into prisons and dungeons, although in Israel there were no prisons, but the Romans had them and they were in league with the Romans. Now it was the Jews who had the power to expel from the synagogue and even the Sanhedrin, and so many people in the days of Jesus Christ, even some rulers who believed on Jesus Christ, were not willing to confess Him for fear of the Jews.

Why the Ruling Elite Sought to Kill Jesus

Weaver gives reasons: Jesus violated their traditions, exposed their unbelief, claimed equality with God, and threatened their power and position, leading them to plot His death.

And He had the audacity to challenge them and to demonstrate their error and their lawlessness. Now, over and over they charged Him with violating the Sabbath. Well, our Lord never violated the Sabbath. What He did violate was their interpretation of the Sabbath. What He didn't violate was their tradition concerning the Sabbath. And so they sought to murder him. Now if you'll look in John chapter 5, John chapter 5 our Lord has healed a man at the pool of Bethesda. And let's begin reading there if you would please with verse 15. In fact look at verse 2. Look at verse 2 of John 5. "Now there is at Jerusalem by the sheep market a pool, which is called in the Hebrew tongue Bethesda, having five porches." Now this pool was in Jerusalem. Jerusalem is in the southern kingdom. It was the capital of the southern kingdom. Okay, so we're talking about the Judahites who live in Judea. So go back now, if you would, please, to John chapter five. And look, if you would, please, at verse

fifteen. "The man departed, and told the Jews." Did he tell everybody in Judea? No. He told the rulers that it was Jesus who had made him whole. "Therefore did the Jews," that is a religious clique, "persecute Jesus, and sought to slay him, because he had done these things on the Sabbath day." He violated their interpretation of the Sabbath; he did not violate the Sabbath. But let me show you what really ticked them off. Because he said that God was his Father, and when he said that, the implication was since God is his Father, He is God as well. So look in verse 17, "But Jesus answered them, My Father worketh hitherto, and I work. Therefore the Jews," not all the Judeans, just the ruling elite, "therefore the Jews sought the more to kill him. Why? Because he had not only broken the Sabbath," that is their interpretation, "but said also that God was his Father, making himself equal with God." Wow! Now, our Lord had the audacity to point out that these people really had no faith.

They did not even believe Torah; they did not even believe the writings of Moses which they claim to believe. So if you will skip down to John 5 in verse 44. Look what our Lord asked them. He asked them,

Scripture Reading — John 5:44-47

"How can ye believe, which receive honour one of another, and seek not the honour that cometh from God only? Do not think that I will accuse you to the Father: there is one that accuseth you, even Moses, in whom ye trust. For had ye believed Moses, ye would have believed me: for he wrote of me. But if ye believe not his writings, how shall ye believe my words?"

So as you claim to be people of the book, you claim to believe the Old Testament, you don't even believe Moses. Had you believed him, you would believe me. Obviously our Lord said I don't have to condemn you; Moses will do that. Because if you had received his words you had received my words. Now if you will turn right over to Luke chapter 13, Luke chapter 13, let me show you how indignant, how unbiblical, how ungodly a lot of these were.

In Luke chapter 13 beginning there with verse 10, here is where our Lord heals the woman in the synagogue. Luke 13 verse 10,

Scripture Reading — Luke 13:10-17

"And he was teaching in one of the synagogues on the Sabbath."

Note if you would it is on a Sabbath.

Scripture Reading — Luke 13:10-17

"And behold there was a woman which had a spirit of infirmity eighteen years, and was bowed together, and could in no wise lift up herself."

So she was bent over and could not straighten up.

Scripture Reading — Luke 13:10-17

"And when Jesus saw her, he called her to him, and said unto her, Woman, thou art loosed from thine infirmity." "And he laid his hands on her: and immediately she was made straight, and glorified God. And the ruler of the synagogue answered with indignation, because that Jesus had healed on the Sabbath day, and said unto the people, There are six days in which men ought to work: in them therefore come and be healed, and not on the Sabbath day. The Lord then answered him, and said, Thou hypocrite, doth not each one of you on the Sabbath loose his ox or his ass from the stall, and lead him away to watering? And ought not this woman, being a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan hath bound, lo, these eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the Sabbath day?"

"And when he had said these things, all his adversaries were ashamed: and all the people," that is the common people, "rejoiced for all the glorious things that were done by him." So here is this ruler of the synagogue saying you should not have healed that woman on the Sabbath day. Would you call this ruler an anti-Semite? Because he was against the healing of a daughter of Abraham. And you see what I'm saying? Obviously these people hated Jesus Christ.

Now, the truth of the matter is this, our Lord exposed their sins, and their wickedness, and their unbelief. Secondly, here's another reason why they wanted killing. They understood that if they did not do something, all the people would end up following him and they would lose their position and their power. If you look in John chapter 11, in John chapter 11 Jesus Christ raises Lazarus from the dead. And there's an interesting thing that happens. In John chapter 11 let's begin reading there with verse 44. Here's where our Lord raises him from the dead. John 11 verse 44, "And he that was dead came forth, bound hand and foot with graveclothes: and his face was bound about with a napkin. Jesus saith unto them, Loose him, and let him go. Then many of the Jews," or Judeans, "which came to Mary, and had seen the things which Jesus did, believed on him." So there the term Jews refers to the people, the common people. Watch this. "But some of them went their ways to the Pharisees," that is the other Jews, "and told them what things Jesus had done." Ah. So you have the term "the Jews" referring just to the common people or the Judeans. And then you have the Pharisees singled out. The Pharisees, the Sadducees, the chief priests, the scribes, all of these were rulers. Now, of course, since so many believed, look what happens in verse 47. "Then gathered the chief priests and the Pharisees a council, and said, What do we? for this man doeth many miracles."

"If we let him thus alone, all men will believe on him: and the Romans shall come and take away both our place and nation." Oh, let's see now. We're not really concerned whether the people get healed. We're not really concerned whether the people get saved. We're not really concerned whether the people believe on Him or not. What we're really concerned about is we're going to lose our position. We're going to lose our power. The Romans will come and take away both our place and our nation.

So here you have the Jews. Now, if you look in John 12 and verse 19, again, look what the Pharisees said concerning Jesus Christ. John 12, verse 19, "The Pharisees therefore said among themselves, Perceive ye how ye prevail nothing? behold, the world is gone after him." So they had to do something to stop Jesus Christ.

Jesus' Withdrawal: Prudence and Judgment

Weaver explains that Jesus avoided Judea to avoid tempting God and as a judgment on those who rejected the truth, leaving them alone to die in their sins.

by Satan. Matthew 4 beginning there with verse 5. "Then the devil taketh him up into the holy city, and setteth him on a pinnacle of the temple, and saith unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee: and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone. Jesus said unto him, It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God." And notice first of all, the temptation. Get up on the pinnacle of the temple, jump off. Let God catch you. Let God save you. And then the devil even quotes scripture. "He shall give his angels charge concerning thee," you will read that in the Bible, in the book of Psalms. Wow. Jesus answered him, "Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God." If I knew that Steve was trying to kill me, if I knew that, would it not be absolutely foolish for me to hang around him? I would avoid him like the plague. There's a vast difference between faith and foolishness. If you want to climb to the top of the Empire State Building and get on the ledge and jump off, and as you jump you say, "Lord catch me."

You're going to make a big splatter on the street. Because that's tempting God. That's being absolutely foolish. That's being stupid. Our Lord was not going to tempt his Father. He was not going to hang around these individuals who sought to kill him.

Now, when the Bible says in John chapter 7, watch it carefully in verse 1, when the Bible says there, in John chapter 7 verse 1, that he walked no more in Jewry, but he walked in Galilee. What that means is he went to Galilee, he lived, he walked, he taught, he preached. In other words, his life there was centered around Galilee. And Galilee, of course, is in the northern kingdom.

There was no cessation in the work of Christ. He just moved to a different location. So, this passage teaches us very clearly that we do not need to uselessly and needlessly expose ourselves to danger. The sixth commandment, "Thou shalt not kill." The positive is thou shalt preserve life. So each of us then have a duty, responsibility and an obligation to preserve our lives and do whatever is necessary to preserve our lives. So it's lawful and is indeed advisable for good men to do whatever is necessary to preserve their lives so that they can be of further use to God and his kingdom and in his work.

Application: Overcoming the Fear of the Ruling Elite Today

Weaver applies the lesson to modern believers, urging them to fear God rather than any ruling elite, as the fear of man is a snare, and the worst man can do is send a believer to glory.

Now, let me make an application. I just want one today. The title of the message is "For Fear of the Jews." And the phrase, "the fear of the Jews," referred to the ruling elite, the power clique of our Lord's day. Well, we've got a power clique and a ruling elite in our day. In fact, probably a number of them, and the truth of the matter is most people refuse to speak out and refuse to confess Jesus Christ for fear of the ruling elite. Proverbs 29 verse 25, "The fear of man bringeth a snare." So fear not only ensnares, fear also enslaves. How in the world do we overcome the fear of man? And the answer is the only way that we can overcome the fear of man is by fearing God properly, rightly, and biblically.

I want you to look in your Bibles to the book of Luke chapter 12 and what our Lord says. Luke chapter 12 and notice verses 4 and 5. Luke 12 verses 4 and 5. Our Lord says it like this, "And I say unto you my friends, Be not afraid of them that kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do. But I will forewarn you whom ye shall fear: Fear him, which after he hath killed hath power to cast into hell; yea, I say unto you, Fear him." Have you ever stopped to think about this? The worst, the very worst that man can do to you is to take your life. Now nobody wants to die. But if you're a child of God, if you're a Christian, if you do lose your life, well, the Bible says to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord. I mean you just get an early promotion to glory is what it amounts to. So why in the world should we fear anyone who could just bring us into the presence of the Lord?

It's true our goods may be confiscated. It's true our liberties may be taken from us. But those are minor compared to losing our lives. So our Lord said, I'll tell you what you just better fear the One True and the Living God because if He kills you He not only has power to kill, He has power to cast you into Hell. Your fear should be directed to Him. So if we fear God properly we are not going to fear man. David gives us a statement of faith in Psalm 56 and verse 11 when he said this, "In God have I put my trust: I will not be afraid what man can do unto me." In God have I put my trust: I will not be afraid what man can do unto me. Again, he said it in Psalm 118, verse 6, "The LORD is on my side; I will not fear: what can man do unto me?" In other words, man can't do anything as long as I am with the Lord and I have the Lord.

You remember David also said, "Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me." Why? Because his fear was of God and of God alone. If we fear God properly, we will not fear man. We need to ask ourselves a simple question. Who do we really fear? Do we fear the power elite? Do we fear prison? Do we fear confiscation of goods? Do we fear loss of life? Or do we fear God? We must learn to overcome the fear of the ruling elite, regardless of who they are and where they are.

Study Guide

Major Themes

The Fear of Man as a Snare

Summary: The fear of the ruling elite, both in Jesus' day and today, ensnares and enslaves believers, preventing open confession of Christ.

Evidence: Proverbs 29:25 is cited: 'the fear of man bringeth a snare.' Examples include Joseph of Arimathea and the disciples hiding for fear of the Jews.

True Anti-Semitism Is Opposition to Christ

Summary: Since Jesus is the true son of Abraham and the seed of promise, those who oppose Him are the real anti-Semites, not those who criticize the Jewish ruling elite.

Evidence: Matthew 1:1 calls Jesus 'the son of Abraham'; Galatians identifies Him as the true seed. The Jews who sought to kill Jesus were opposing the ultimate Semite.

The 'Jews' as a Religious Power Clique

Summary: In the New Testament, 'the Jews' often denotes the Pharisees, chief priests, and rulers who controlled the synagogue and temple, not the common Judean people.

Evidence: John 7:13, 19:38, 9:22, and 20:19 show fear of 'the Jews' as a ruling group with power to expel from the synagogue.

Jesus' Prudence and Refusal to Tempt God

Summary: Jesus avoided Judea not out of cowardice but to avoid tempting His Father, demonstrating that faith is not foolishness and that life should be preserved for further service.

Evidence: Matthew 4:5-7 shows Jesus refusing to tempt God; John 7:1 shows Him walking in Galilee instead of Judea.

Judgment Through Withdrawal of Truth

Summary: When people reject the gospel, God's judgment may be to leave them alone, withdrawing the light and letting them die in their sins.

Evidence: Matthew 15:14 says 'Let them alone'; Acts 13:46 shows Paul turning to the Gentiles when the Jews rejected the word.

Fearing God Overcomes Fear of Man

Summary: Proper fear of God, who can cast into hell, liberates believers from the fear of man, whose worst threat is physical death which ushers believers into God's presence.

Evidence: Luke 12:4-5 commands fear of God; Psalm 56:11 and 118:6 express trust in God over man.

Key Arguments

The term 'Semite' includes many descendants of Shem, not just Jews

Summary: Abraham's descendants through Ishmael, Keturah, and Lot are all Semites, so anti-Semitism would require opposition to all these groups, not just Jews.

Evidence: Genesis 11:10-27, 25:1-4; 1 Chronicles 1:32-33 trace the lineage of Shem through Abraham to many nations.

Jesus is the true seed of Abraham, making opposition to Him the ultimate anti-Semitism

Summary: Matthew 1:1 and Galatians show Jesus as the son of Abraham; therefore, the Jews who sought to kill Him were anti-Semites.

Evidence: Matthew 1:1; Galatians (implied); Revelation 2:9 and 3:9 show some who claim to be Jews are of Satan's synagogue.

In the New Testament, 'Jew' primarily denotes a religious identity, not an ethnic one

Summary: Paul refers to 'the Jews' religion' in Galatians 1:13-14, contrasting it with Christianity, showing that 'Jew' in the New Testament is a religious term.

Evidence: Galatians 1:13-14; Acts 26:4-5.

Jesus was not a Jew in the religious sense because He opposed their traditions

Summary: Jesus was of the tribe of Judah but did not embrace the religion of the Jews; He exposed their unbiblical traditions, so they hated Him.

Evidence: John 7:1 shows the Jews sought to kill Him; He violated their Sabbath interpretations, not the Sabbath itself.

'The Jews' in John's Gospel often refers to a ruling elite, not all Judeans

Summary: Passages like John 7:13, 19:38, and 9:22 show that 'the Jews' were those with power to expel from the synagogue, not the common people who heard Jesus gladly.

Evidence: John 7:13, 19:38, 9:22, 20:19; Mark 12:37.

The ruling elite sought to kill Jesus to protect their power and traditions

Summary: They feared losing their place and nation if people followed Jesus, and they were offended by His exposure of their hypocrisy and lawlessness.

Evidence: John 11:47-48; John 12:19; Luke 13:14-17.

Jesus' withdrawal from Judea was an act of prudence and judgment

Summary: He avoided tempting God and left the rejecters to their fate, as taught in Matthew 10:23 and exemplified in Acts 13:46.

Evidence: Matthew 4:5-7; Matthew 10:23; Matthew 15:14; Acts 13:46.

Believers must fear God, not the ruling elite, to overcome the fear of man

Summary: Since man can only kill the body, but God can cast into hell, proper fear of God liberates from fear of any human power.

Evidence: Luke 12:4-5; Psalm 56:11; Psalm 118:6.

Scripture References

John 7:1

Context: Introduction and key text: Jesus walked in Galilee because the Jews sought to kill Him.

Proverbs 29:25

Context: The fear of man brings a snare, used to introduce the theme of fearing the Jews.

Genesis 11:10-27

Context: Lineage of Shem, including Abram, to show the breadth of Semitic peoples.

Genesis 25:1-4

Context: Abraham's children by Keturah, demonstrating many Semitic groups beyond Isaac.

1 Chronicles 1:32-33

Context: Repeats the children of Abraham by Keturah, reinforcing the Semitic lineage.

Matthew 1:1

Context: Jesus Christ is the son of David, the son of Abraham, making Him the true Semite.

Revelation 2:9

Context: Those who say they are Jews but are not, but are the synagogue of Satan.

Revelation 3:9

Context: Again, those who claim to be Jews but lie, identified as the synagogue of Satan.

2 Kings 16:6

Context: First occurrence of the word 'Jews' in the Bible, referring to Judeans.

Acts 26:4-5

Context: Paul speaks of 'our religion,' indicating the Jews had a distinct religion.

Galatians 1:13-14

Context: Paul mentions 'the Jews' religion' twice, contrasting it with Christianity.

John 7:13

Context: No man spoke openly of Jesus for fear of the Jews, showing the power of the ruling elite.

John 19:38

Context: Joseph of Arimathea was a secret disciple for fear of the Jews.

John 12:41-43

Context: Chief rulers believed but did not confess for fear of the Pharisees and love of praise.

John 20:19

Context: Disciples assembled behind shut doors for fear of the Jews.

John 9:14-23

Context: The blind man's parents feared the Jews because they had agreed to expel confessors of Christ.

Mark 12:37

Context: The common people heard Jesus gladly, contrasting with the ruling elite.

John 5:15-18

Context: The Jews persecuted Jesus for healing on the Sabbath and making Himself equal with God.

John 5:44-47

Context: Jesus says Moses accuses them because they do not believe his writings.

Luke 13:10-17

Context: Jesus heals a woman on the Sabbath, and the ruler of the synagogue is indignant, but the people rejoice.

Historical References

Jewish Almanac, page 3

Context: Quoted to support that it is incorrect to call an ancient Israelite a Jew or a contemporary Jew an Israelite.

ADL (Anti-Defamation League)

Context: Mentioned as an organization that calls people anti-Semites for pointing out Jewish involvement in Christ's crucifixion.

Southern Poverty Law Center

Context: Mentioned alongside the ADL as an organization that labels critics of Jews as anti-Semites.

Important Quotes

Strictly speaking, it is incorrect to call an ancient Israelite a Jew or to call a contemporary Jew an Israelite or a Hebrew.

Significance: Weaver uses this quote from the Jewish Almanac to support his argument that the term 'Jew' has a specific, limited meaning and should not be applied broadly to all Israelites.

In the strictest sense of the word Jesus Christ was not a Jew.

Significance: This provocative statement summarizes Weaver's argument that Jesus, though of Judah's tribe, did not embrace the Jewish religion and thus was not a 'Jew' in the New Testament religious sense.

The true anti-Semites would be the Jews themselves because Jesus Christ is the true son of David and Jesus Christ is the true son of Abraham.

Significance: Weaver redefines anti-Semitism as opposition to Christ, the ultimate Semite, turning the accusation back on the Jewish leaders who sought His death.

There's a vast difference between faith and foolishness.

Significance: Weaver emphasizes that Jesus' avoidance of danger was not lack of faith but wisdom, teaching believers to preserve life without tempting God.

Let them alone: they be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch.

Significance: Quoting Jesus, Weaver highlights the judgment of leaving rejecters of truth to their own destruction, a key application of Christ's withdrawal from Judea.

The fear of man bringeth a snare.

Significance: This Proverbs quote frames the entire sermon, warning that fear of human authorities entraps believers and prevents bold confession.

Fear him, which after he hath killed hath power to cast into hell; yea, I say unto you, Fear him.

Significance: Jesus' command in Luke 12:5 is the foundation for overcoming the fear of man: a proper fear of God's eternal judgment.

Discussion Questions

How does the biblical definition of 'Semite' challenge modern accusations of anti-Semitism?

Context: Weaver argues that many descendants of Shem are Semites, not just Jews, and that opposition to Christ is the ultimate anti-Semitism.

In what ways does the New Testament use 'the Jews' to refer to a ruling elite rather than all Jewish people?

Context: Weaver cites John 7:13, 19:38, and 9:22 to show that 'the Jews' often means the Pharisees and chief priests with power to expel from the synagogue.

Why does Weaver claim Jesus was not a Jew, and how does this affect our understanding of His conflict with the religious leaders?

Context: Weaver says Jesus was of Judah's tribe but did not embrace the Jewish religion, which was corrupted by traditions.

What does Jesus' withdrawal from Judea teach us about prudence, faith, and tempting God?

Context: Weaver explains that Jesus avoided danger to not tempt His Father, showing that preserving life is lawful and wise.

How is the withdrawal of gospel truth a form of judgment, and what examples does Weaver give?

Context: Weaver points to Matthew 15:14 and Acts 13:46 where Jesus and Paul leave rejecters alone to die in their sins.

According to Luke 12:4-5, why should fearing God overcome the fear of man?

Context: Weaver explains that man can only kill the body, but God can cast into hell, so proper fear of God liberates from human threats.

What modern 'ruling elites' might cause believers to fear confessing Christ, and how can we resist that fear?

Context: Weaver applies the sermon to today, urging believers to identify power cliques that intimidate and to fear God instead.

Applications

Do not fear the ruling elite; fear God alone

Summary: Believers must overcome the fear of powerful groups or individuals who oppose the gospel by cultivating a proper, biblical fear of God.

Evidence: Luke 12:4-5; Proverbs 29:25; Psalm 56:11; Psalm 118:6.

Exercise prudence in the face of danger

Summary: Like Jesus, believers should avoid needless exposure to danger, preserving their lives for further service to God without tempting Him.

Evidence: John 7:1; Matthew 4:5-7; Matthew 10:23.

Leave rejecters of the gospel to God's judgment

Summary: When people persistently reject the truth, believers should not waste time but move on, shaking off the dust as a testimony.

Evidence: Matthew 15:14; Mark 6:11; Acts 13:46.

Speak boldly for Christ despite intimidation

Summary: The fear of man ensnares, but trusting in God enables bold confession of Christ even when facing powerful opposition.

Evidence: John 7:13; John 12:42-43; Proverbs 29:25.

deepseek | deepseek-v4-pro | clean_readable_transcript | 2026-06-04T19:59:55Z

deepseek | deepseek-v4-pro | weaver_study | 2026-06-05T21:40:32Z

Clean Transcript

For Fear Of The Jews

Clean readable transcript. This view follows the Commentary.net cleaned segment text while preserving timestamps for audio follow-along.

[music in the background throughout the video.] John 7 verse 1 the scripture says, "After these things Jesus walked in Galilee, for He would not walk in Jewry, because the Jews sought to kill Him." The title of the message today is, "For Fear of the Jews." Lord willing, next Sunday I'm going to bring the message, "Overcoming the Fear of the Jews." And if you read the New Testament you're going to discover that the fear of the Jews brought heartache and shame to many believers in the days of the Lord Jesus Christ. And it's equally true today. We have been warned in Proverbs 29 and verse 25, that "the fear of man bringeth a snare." Whenever it is pointed out from the scripture that it was the Jews who had Jesus Christ crucified, usually Jewish organizations like the ADL or the Southern Poverty Law Center will rise up and call you an anti-Semite. In fact there are so many today that kind of believe that whatever the Jews do, that it can't be wrong and they can't be criticized regardless of what they do.
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But have you ever really wondered about the term Semite or Shemite? Let me ask this simple question, how can one be classified as an Anti-Semite if he believes in Jesus Christ? I'm going to show you from the scripture how the Jews themselves are in reality Anti-Semites.
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Now you remember that Noah had three sons, Shem, Ham, and Japheth. Everything in the Old Testament and the New Testament came through Shem. When I'm talking about everything I'm talking about that which is spiritual, that which is right, that which is holy. If you will look in your Bibles holding John chapter 7 but go in your Bibles to the book of Genesis chapter 11 and look if you would please at verse 10. Genesis 11 and verse 10 and you are going to see that we have here the lineage of Shem. Of course the Bible gives the lineage of Ham and Japheth as well. But in Genesis chapter 11 and verse 10 the Bible says this, "These are the generations of Shem. Shem was 100 years old and begat Arphaxad two years after the Flood." So if you read on down you are going to find everyone who is in the line of Shem. Now, if you will skip down to verse 26 and 27, "and Terah lived 70 years and begat Abram, Nahor, and Haran."
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Now these are the generations of Terah. Terah begat Abram, that is Abraham, Nahor and Haran, and Haran begat Lot. Now the interesting thing is we find that Lot is a descendant of Shem. Lot was the one who produced the Ammonites and the Moabites. So my question would be this, if you were against the Ammonites and the Moabites would you be considered an anti-Semite? Let me show you something else. If you will look in Genesis chapter 25 you will remember that Abraham and Sarah had one son Isaac. You will also remember that Abraham and Hagar the Egyptian had one son Ishmael. So Ishmael would be in the lineage of Shem since he is the son of Abraham.
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So you would have to understand that the Ishmaelites would be Semites as well. But when you look in Genesis 25 and verse 1 after Sarah died the Bible said that again Abraham took a wife and her name was Keturah. She bare him Zimram, and Jokshan, and Medan, and Midian, and Ishbak, and Shuah. And Jokshan begat Sheba, and Dedan. And the sons of Dedan were Asshurim, and Letushim, and Leummim. And the sons of Midian; Ephah, and Epher, and Hanoch, and Abida, and Eldaah.
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All these are the children of Keturah. So, when we are talking about someone being an anti-Semite, in reality you would have to be against an awful lot of people because Abraham is a straight descendant of Shem, and those whom he produced would also be in that lineage as well. You will find the same thing repeated in 1 Chronicles chapter 1 verses 32 and 33 about all the children of Abraham by Keturah. So, would these children be considered to be Semites as well since they came from the loins of Abraham? So if one is going to be classified as an anti-Semitic individual he must be against an awful lot of people and not just the Jews. So here is a good question to ask, how did the Jews become the only Semitic people? In fact if you look up the word Semitic it says anyone who speaks a Semitic language they claim to be the Semites, or the Shemites, anyone who is against them would be classified as the Anti-Semite.
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Let me make this statement and let me show it to you from the Bible. The greatest Anti-Semite would be someone who is against Jesus Christ. And let me show you why. If you will look in your Bibles to the book of Matthew chapter 1 and verse 1, the very first verse in the New Testament, we have a declaration concerning Jesus Christ and who He is. Note if you would please, Matthew chapter 1 and verse 1 the scripture says this, "The book of the generation of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham." Ah, Jesus Christ is the true son of David.
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He is the King of Israel. In fact He is King of Kings, and Lord of Lords, and God of Gods. But He is also called the Son of Abraham. All of the promises that God gave to Abraham He gave to Abraham in Jesus Christ. And when you look in the book of Galatians you find that Jesus Christ is the true seed of Abraham. So that is why I am saying anyone who is against Jesus Christ would be the true anti-Semite as well. Also you've got to consider this, according to the Bible there are those who claim to be Jews who are not really Jews. For instance if you will turn in your Bibles to the book of Revelation chapter 2 you will find that there were impostors in the New Testament, and there are impostors today as well. But notice in Revelation chapter 2 and verse 9, and by the way the Lord is speaking to the churches Revelation chapter 2 and in Revelation chapter 3. So in Revelation chapter 2 and verse 9 he's still talking to the church of Ephesus and he says this, "I know thy works and thy tribulation and poverty but thou art rich and I know the blasphemy of them that say they are Jews and are not but are of the synagogue of Satan."
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So he says here are some that claim to be Jews but they are not, they are the synagogue of Satan. And if you will look in Revelation 3 and verse 9 again he is talking here to the church of Philadelphia. He says, "Behold, I will make them of the synagogue of Satan, which say they are Jews and are not, but do lie. Behold, I will make them come and worship before thy feet, and to know that I have loved thee." So, there is a whole group of people who then claim to be Jews who are not really Jews at all.
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Now, I know some of you have heard, you probably do not remember, but years ago I did a six part series on who is Israel. And I also did a five part series on Jews, Judaism, and Christianity. I would encourage you to hear those if you have not heard them, and to re-listen to them if you have heard them. But let me just give you a couple of things just to refresh your mind.
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And I've pointed this out recently, I'll do it again. But the very first time the word Jews occurs in our Bible you will find it in 2 Kings chapter 16 and verse 6. 2 Kings 16 and verse 6. The Bible says, "At that time Rezin the king of Syria recovered Elath to Syria and drove the Jews from Elath and the Syrians came to Elath and dwelt there unto this day." Now Elath was down below Judah. And here you have the word Jews.
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Actually it is referring to Judeans, those who live in the southern kingdom. Now, I want to just remind you how the word Jews is used in the Bible. In the Hebrew the word is Yehudi. Yehudi is the word, Yehudi. And it refers mainly to a descendant of Judah, who is of the tribe of Judah, someone who lives in the land of Judea, but it is used six different ways in the Bible. Sometimes it refers to a person or persons just from the tribe of Judah. Sometimes it refers to the kingdom of Judah. Sometimes it refers to the land of Judea. Sometimes for the nation of Judah. Sometimes for the house of Judah. And sixthly, it is also used to refer to the religion of the Jews.
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Now, in the New Testament, the Greek word is Ioudaios, which literally means a Judean. When you think in the Old Testament of the term Jew, you think of it in terms of a land or a country or a nation or a people. Not so in the New Testament and not so today. It is ignorance as well as being unbiblical to refer to all Israelites as Jews. The original Judahites were Israelites, but not all Israelites were Judahites.
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Let me say that another way. The original Jews were Israelites, but not all Israelites are Jews. And the reason I'm saying that is because the term Jews came from those people who lived in the southern kingdom of Judea. The northern kingdom, they were just simply known as Israelites. Here's a quote from the Jewish Almanac on page three. Listen to what it says. "Strictly speaking, it is incorrect to call an ancient Israelite a Jew or to call a contemporary Jew an Israelite or a Hebrew." Now, that comes from the Jewish Almanac. It says, it is incorrect to call an ancient Israelite a Jew, and it is also incorrect to call a contemporary Jew an Israelite or a Hebrew. Now, the Jews had of course their own religion, and that religion was Judaism.
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perverted from the Torah, from the Old Testament teaching. And if you will turn in your Bibles to the book of Acts I'm going to show you how this is used in the Scripture. In the book of Acts chapter 26 verses 4 and 5 the Apostle Paul is giving a defense of himself and he makes this statement, in Acts chapter 26 beginning there with verse 4, he is answering to King Agrippa. He's standing before him and he says in verse 4, "My manner of life from my youth, which was at the first among mine own nation at Jerusalem, know all the Jews; which knew me from the beginning, if they would testify, that after the most straitest sect of our religion I lived a Pharisee." Notice he said, "of our religion." They had their own religion. Now, if you will turn in your Bibles to the book of Galatians. Right after 2 Corinthians you have the book of Galatians chapter 1. And look if you would please at verses 13 and 14. Because here the Apostle Paul again talks about the Jews religion.
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In verse 13, he says, "For ye have heard of my conversation in time past in the Jews' religion, how that beyond measure I persecuted the church of God and wasted it." Now obviously there is a contrast here between Christianity and the Jews' religion. The Jews' religion was that which persecuted the church of God. Then he said in verse 14, "And profited in the Jews' religion above many my equals in mine own nation, being more exceedingly zealous of the traditions of my fathers." So twice in two verses he talks about the Jews' religion. When you hear the term Jew today you do not think of a nation, you do not think of a land, you do not think of a country, you think of a religion. And that is how it is used in the New Testament is to denote a religion.
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So that brings me to this statement again which shocks those people, but it is still true. In the strictest sense of the word Jesus Christ was not a Jew. He was of the tribe of Judah. He was a Judahite. He also was born in the southern kingdom in Bethlehem, which means he would be a Judean. But he was raised in Galilee and in Nazareth, which is in the northern kingdom. His time in the southern kingdom was very minute. Jesus Christ did not embrace the religion of the Jews, therefore he was not a Jew.
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If you will go back in your Bibles to John chapter 7 and verse 1, I want you to see this. Here the Jews are trying to kill Jesus Christ. There is an obvious difference between Jesus Christ and the Jews. The Bible says, "After these things Jesus walked in Galilee," that is the northern kingdom, "for he would not walk in Jewry," and that is in Judea in the southern kingdom, "because the Jews sought to kill him." Now the reason he was attacked so viciously by the Jews is because he destroyed their religion
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and exposed their unbiblical traditions and their violation of God's law. Thus, they hated him and tried to destroy him. Thus, the true anti-Semites would be the Jews themselves because Jesus Christ is the true son of David and Jesus Christ is the true son of Abraham.
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Now, let me point something else out. Look in verse 1 of chapter 7 again. "After these things Jesus walked in Galilee for he would not walk in Judea because the Jews sought to kill him." So let me ask you a question, did every Judean, did every person in the Southern Kingdom seek to kill Jesus Christ? And the answer is no. So sometimes when you see this phrase, "the Jews," it does not even refer to the people of Judea.
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anyone of the tribe of Judah, it refers to a ruling elite, to a ruling clique, to those who held the power. Now, interestingly enough I'm going to show you this in the Bible. Look in your Bibles to John chapter 7 and verse 13. I told you the title of this message was, "The Fear of the Jews." Well, look at verse 13 of John 7. "Howbeit no man spake openly of him," that is of Jesus Christ, "for fear of the Jews." Why would they fear the Jews? They certainly, those in the southern kingdom, would be Judeans as well. But obviously, the word or the phrase "the Jews" refers to someone else. Look in John chapter 19 and verse 38. John 19 verse 38. I'll come back and deal with this verse next Sunday Lord willing, but look at it. "And after this Joseph of Arimathea, being a disciple of Jesus, but secretly for fear of the Jews, besought Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus. And Pilate gave him leave. He came therefore, and took the body of Jesus."
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"Now Joseph of Arimathea, being a disciple of Jesus, but secretly for fear of the Jews." Well, he was a Judean himself. So the Jews here does not refer to everyone who lives in the Southern Kingdom. It refers to a ruling elite. If you will go back to John chapter 12, John 12, and let's begin reading there with verse 41. John 12 verse 41. Look what the Bible says. "These things said Isaiah, when he saw his glory, and spake of him. Nevertheless among the chief rulers also many believed on him; but because of the
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Pharisees they did not confess him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue: for they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God." Now, let me just remind you of something. The Sadducees controlled the Temple. They were the high priests in their lineage and their ilk. The Pharisees controlled the people and the populace, and they had control of the synagogue. So, it was not every Judean that could have you kicked out of the synagogue. It was not every Judean that could have you excluded from the Temple. It was not every Judean that could have you arrested.
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It was the Jews, that is the ruling elite. If you will look in your Bibles to John 20 and verse 19, John 20 and verse 19 look what the Bible says concerning the disciples. "Then the same day at evening, being the first day of the week," that is Sunday, "when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, came Jesus and stood in the midst, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you." So here the disciples are in this room with the doors shut and in all probability locked. Why? For fear of the Jews. It was a ruling elite that could have them arrested, thrown into prisons and dungeons, although in Israel there were no prisons, but the Romans had them and they were in league with the Romans. Now it was the Jews who had the power to expel from the synagogue and even the Sanhedrin, and so many people in the days of Jesus Christ, even some rulers who believed on Jesus Christ, were not willing to confess Him for fear of the Jews.
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They did not want to confront the Jews. They did not want to cross the Jews. They did not want to be kicked out of the synagogue or excluded from the Temple.
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Now, if you will look in your Bibles to John chapter 9, John chapter 9 you are going to find if we had time to read this passage here is a man that was born blind from birth. And our Lord healed this man. It was never heard of before that one born blind had been healed, but our Lord healed him. And of course, the Jews got in on it because he was healed on the Sabbath day.
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So let's begin reading there with verse, let's begin reading with verse 14. "And it was the Sabbath day when Jesus made the clay, and opened his eyes. Then again the Pharisees also asked him how he had received his sight. He said unto them, He put clay upon mine eyes, and I washed, and do see. Therefore said some of the Pharisees, This man is not of God, because he keepeth not the Sabbath day. Others said, How can a man that is a sinner do such miracles?"
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"And there was a division among them. They say unto the blind man again, What sayest thou of him, that he hath opened thine eyes? He said, He is a prophet. But the Jews," what Jews? The ruling elite, the Pharisees, to whom he is speaking. "But the Jews did not believe concerning him, that he had been blind, and received his sight, until they called the parents of him that had received his sight. And they asked them, saying, Is this your son, who ye say was born blind?"
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"How then doth he now see? His parents answered them and said, We know that this is our son, and that he was born blind: but by what means he now seeth, we know not; or who hath opened his eyes, we know not: he is of age; ask him: he shall speak for himself."
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Now watch, "These words spake his parents, because they feared the Jews: for the Jews had agreed already, that if any man did confess that he was Christ, he should be put out of the synagogue. Therefore said his parents, He is of age; ask him." So it was not every Judean that could have you put out of the synagogue. It was the Pharisees. It was a ruling elite.
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An interesting thing is this. I have never read anywhere in the New Testament where the common people tried to murder or kill Jesus Christ. On the contrary, in Mark 12 and verse 37 the Bible says, "and the common people heard him gladly." They listened. They wanted to hear. So you have to ask yourself this question, why then did the Jews, and by using that phrase I'm now referring to the ruling elite, the power group that was in control of religion during the time of Christ, why did they want to murder Jesus Christ? Well, there are a number of answers to that question. First of all, they sought to murder Him because He violated their traditions and their belief system.
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And He had the audacity to challenge them and to demonstrate their error and their lawlessness. Now, over and over they charged Him with violating the Sabbath. Well, our Lord never violated the Sabbath. What He did violate was their interpretation of the Sabbath. What He didn't violate was their tradition concerning the Sabbath. And so they sought to murder him. Now if you'll look in John chapter 5, John chapter 5 our Lord has healed a man at the pool of Bethesda. And let's begin reading there if you would please with verse 15. In fact look at verse 2. Look at verse 2 of John 5. "Now there is at Jerusalem by the sheep market a pool, which is called in the Hebrew tongue Bethesda, having five porches." Now this pool was in Jerusalem. Jerusalem is in the southern kingdom. It was the capital of the southern kingdom. Okay, so we're talking about the Judahites who live in Judea. So go back now, if you would, please, to John chapter five. And look, if you would, please, at verse
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fifteen. "The man departed, and told the Jews." Did he tell everybody in Judea? No. He told the rulers that it was Jesus who had made him whole. "Therefore did the Jews," that is a religious clique, "persecute Jesus, and sought to slay him, because he had done these things on the Sabbath day." He violated their interpretation of the Sabbath; he did not violate the Sabbath. But let me show you what really ticked them off. Because he said that God was his Father, and when he said that, the implication was since God is his Father, He is God as well. So look in verse 17, "But Jesus answered them, My Father worketh hitherto, and I work. Therefore the Jews," not all the Judeans, just the ruling elite, "therefore the Jews sought the more to kill him. Why? Because he had not only broken the Sabbath," that is their interpretation, "but said also that God was his Father, making himself equal with God." Wow! Now, our Lord had the audacity to point out that these people really had no faith.
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They did not even believe Torah; they did not even believe the writings of Moses which they claim to believe. So if you will skip down to John 5 in verse 44. Look what our Lord asked them. He asked them, "How can ye believe, which receive honour one of another, and seek not the honour that cometh from God only? Do not think that I will accuse you to the Father: there is one that accuseth you, even Moses, in whom ye trust. For had ye believed Moses, ye would have believed me: for he wrote of me. But if ye believe not his writings, how shall ye believe my words?" So as you claim to be people of the book, you claim to believe the Old Testament, you don't even believe Moses. Had you believed him, you would believe me. Obviously our Lord said I don't have to condemn you; Moses will do that. Because if you had received his words you had received my words. Now if you will turn right over to Luke chapter 13, Luke chapter 13, let me show you how indignant, how unbiblical, how ungodly a lot of these were.
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In Luke chapter 13 beginning there with verse 10, here is where our Lord heals the woman in the synagogue. Luke 13 verse 10, "And he was teaching in one of the synagogues on the Sabbath." Note if you would it is on a Sabbath. "And behold there was a woman which had a spirit of infirmity eighteen years, and was bowed together, and could in no wise lift up herself." So she was bent over and could not straighten up. "And when Jesus saw her, he called her to him, and said unto her, Woman, thou art loosed from thine infirmity."
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"And he laid his hands on her: and immediately she was made straight, and glorified God. And the ruler of the synagogue answered with indignation, because that Jesus had healed on the Sabbath day, and said unto the people, There are six days in which men ought to work: in them therefore come and be healed, and not on the Sabbath day. The Lord then answered him, and said, Thou hypocrite, doth not each one of you on the Sabbath loose his ox or his ass from the stall, and lead him away to watering? And ought not this woman, being a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan hath bound, lo, these eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the Sabbath day?"
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"And when he had said these things, all his adversaries were ashamed: and all the people," that is the common people, "rejoiced for all the glorious things that were done by him." So here is this ruler of the synagogue saying you should not have healed that woman on the Sabbath day. Would you call this ruler an anti-Semite? Because he was against the healing of a daughter of Abraham. And you see what I'm saying? Obviously these people hated Jesus Christ.
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Now, the truth of the matter is this, our Lord exposed their sins, and their wickedness, and their unbelief. Secondly, here's another reason why they wanted killing. They understood that if they did not do something, all the people would end up following him and they would lose their position and their power. If you look in John chapter 11, in John chapter 11 Jesus Christ raises Lazarus from the dead. And there's an interesting thing that happens. In John chapter
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11 let's begin reading there with verse 44. Here's where our Lord raises him from the dead. John 11 verse 44, "And he that was dead came forth, bound hand and foot with graveclothes: and his face was bound about with a napkin. Jesus saith unto them, Loose him, and let him go. Then many of the Jews," or Judeans, "which came to Mary, and had seen the things which Jesus did, believed on him." So there the term Jews refers to the people, the common people. Watch this. "But some of them went their ways to the Pharisees," that is the other Jews, "and told them what things Jesus had done." Ah. So you have the term "the Jews" referring just to the common people or the Judeans. And then you have the Pharisees singled out. The Pharisees, the Sadducees, the chief priests, the scribes, all of these were rulers. Now, of course, since so many believed, look what happens in verse 47. "Then gathered the chief priests and the Pharisees a council, and said, What do we? for this man doeth many miracles."
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"If we let him thus alone, all men will believe on him: and the Romans shall come and take away both our place and nation." Oh, let's see now. We're not really concerned whether the people get healed. We're not really concerned whether the people get saved. We're not really concerned whether the people believe on Him or not. What we're really concerned about is we're going to lose our position. We're going to lose our power. The Romans will come and take away both our place and our nation.
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So here you have the Jews. Now, if you look in John 12 and verse 19, again, look what the Pharisees said concerning Jesus Christ. John 12, verse 19, "The Pharisees therefore said among themselves, Perceive ye how ye prevail nothing? behold, the world is gone after him." So they had to do something to stop Jesus Christ.
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Now, let me ask you a question. I want you to go back and look at John 7 with me just for a moment. John 7 verse 1. I want you to look at this. The Bible says, "After these things Jesus walked in Galilee," that is in the northern kingdom, "for he would not walk in Jewry," that is in Judea in the southern kingdom, "because the Jews sought to kill him." In light of these texts, we have to ask, why then did he not walk in Jewry? Why did he not preach and teach in Judea at this time? And the answer is that our Lord was not just simply being prudent. He was prudent, but he's refusing to tempt his Father. Prudence does indeed dictate that we withdraw ourselves in order to protect our lives. But there's a greater truth here that is we cannot tempt God. If you would go back in your Bibles to Matthew chapter 4. And I just want to show you one of the temptations that was delivered unto Jesus Christ
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by Satan. Matthew 4 beginning there with verse 5. "Then the devil taketh him up into the holy city, and setteth him on a pinnacle of the temple, and saith unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee: and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone. Jesus said unto him, It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God."
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And notice first of all, the temptation. Get up on the pinnacle of the temple, jump off. Let God catch you. Let God save you. And then the devil even quotes scripture. "He shall give his angels charge concerning thee," you will read that in the Bible, in the book of Psalms. Wow. Jesus answered him, "Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God." If I knew that Steve was trying to kill me, if I knew that, would it not be absolutely foolish for me to hang around him? I would avoid him like the plague. There's a vast difference between faith and foolishness. If you want to climb to the top of the Empire State Building and get on the ledge and jump off, and as you jump you say, "Lord catch me."
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You're going to make a big splatter on the street. Because that's tempting God. That's being absolutely foolish. That's being stupid. Our Lord was not going to tempt his Father. He was not going to hang around these individuals who sought to kill him.
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Now, when the Bible says in John chapter 7, watch it carefully in verse 1, when the Bible says there, in John chapter 7 verse 1, that he walked no more in Jewry, but he walked in Galilee. What that means is he went to Galilee, he lived, he walked, he taught, he preached. In other words, his life there was centered around Galilee. And Galilee, of course, is in the northern kingdom.
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There was no cessation in the work of Christ. He just moved to a different location. So, this passage teaches us very clearly that we do not need to uselessly and needlessly expose ourselves to danger. The sixth commandment, "Thou shalt not kill." The positive is thou shalt preserve life. So each of us then have a duty, responsibility and an obligation to preserve our lives and do whatever is necessary to preserve our lives. So it's lawful and is indeed advisable for good men to do whatever is necessary to preserve their lives so that they can be of further use to God and his kingdom and in his work.
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You must remember what our Lord said in Matthew 10 in verse 23 to his disciples. He said, "When they persecute you in this city, flee ye into another." If they don't want you here, fine, leave, go someplace else. It's just that simple. And so we find then it is these Jews who hate Jesus Christ who want to kill him, the ruling elite. Now, by the way, I think it's John 19, before Pilate you remember that passage when Pilate was willing to let Jesus Christ go and he asked, "Shall I release unto you the King of the Jews?" or Barabbas, and the Bible says, "and the chief priests stirred up the people, that he should rather release Barabbas unto them." So the people did not necessarily want to see Jesus Christ crucified. But it was the high priests who once again had Jesus Christ crucified. They did not want Him around. There's a second reason, I believe, why Jesus Christ did not walk in Jewry after this. And that is because salvation, light, and gospel truth shall be taken from those who refuse it, do not want it. Here's a very simple question. Why would Jesus Christ waste his time preaching to a people
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who did not want the truth and would not receive the truth? Why would I waste my time preaching to people who did not want the truth? Certainly, I would preach at least one time, that is for sure, but let me tell you something: one of the greatest judgments that God can issue against any people is to just simply let them alone. I want you to look in your Bibles to Matthew chapter 15. Matthew chapter 15 and let's begin reading there with verse 12. Jesus Christ has been preaching and teaching and of course He's really nailed the Pharisees. He's called them hypocrites.
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He tells them that Isaiah prophesied correctly that you draw near to me with your mouth and you honor me with your lips, but your heart is far from me. He's told them that in vain they worship him. And what they really worship is the tradition of men. Look, if you would, please, at verse 12. "Then came his disciples," that is the disciples of Jesus Christ, "then came his disciples and said unto him, Knowest thou that the Pharisees were offended, after they heard this saying?"
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Verses 10 and 11 particularly. No, they were upset, they were hurt. "But he answered and said, Every plant, which my heavenly Father hath not planted, shall be rooted up. Let them alone: they be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch."
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Now, the Pharisees could care less about the Word of God. They cared about their traditions. They could care less about the Word of God. They cared about their rituals, their ceremonies. And when the disciples came and said, "They are offended," our Lord said, "It's no skin off my nose." Basically that is what He said, leave them alone. They don't want the truth. They won't listen to the truth. Let them alone.
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Let them die in their sins. If the blind lead the blind both are going to fall in the ditch. Just let them alone. If you will turn right over in your Bibles to the book of Mark chapter 6. Look at what our Lord told His disciples. He sent them forth preaching in Mark chapter 6 and verse 11. Look what He said, "And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear you, when ye depart thence, shake off the dust under your feet for a testimony against them."
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"Verily I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrha in the day of judgment, than for that city." What? He said, if they won't receive you, if they won't hear you, they don't want any part of the gospel, shake the dust from off your feet. Leave them alone. Let them die in their sins. I mean, if they won't listen, if they won't receive the Word of God, that's the only other possible alternative.
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If you look at Acts chapter 13, Acts chapter 13, and notice if you would please verses 45 and 46. Watch Acts 13 verse 45. Paul and Barnabas had been preaching, great crowds come to hear them. In fact look in verse 44, "And the next Sabbath day came almost the whole city together to hear the word of God." Wow. Verse 45, "But when the Jews saw the multitudes, they were filled with envy, and spake against those things which were spoken by Paul, contradicting and blaspheming. Then Paul and Barnabas waxed bold, and said, It was necessary that the word of God should first have been spoken to you."
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"But seeing ye put it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, lo, we turn to the Gentiles." We'll leave you alone. We'll let you die in your sin. You don't have to listen to us. You refusing the Word of God, you will die in your sins. When Jesus Christ walked away from Judea, he was basically leaving them alone to die in their sins. Wow.
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Now, let me make an application. I just want one today. The title of the message is "For Fear of the Jews." And the phrase, "the fear of the Jews," referred to the ruling elite, the power clique of our Lord's day. Well, we've got a power clique and a ruling elite in our day. In fact, probably a number of them, and the truth of the matter is most people refuse to speak out and refuse to confess Jesus Christ for fear of the ruling elite. Proverbs 29 verse 25, "The fear of man bringeth a snare." So fear not only ensnares, fear also enslaves. How in the world do we overcome the fear of man? And the answer is the only way that we can overcome the fear of man is by fearing God properly, rightly, and biblically.
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I want you to look in your Bibles to the book of Luke chapter 12 and what our Lord says. Luke chapter 12 and notice verses 4 and 5. Luke 12 verses 4 and 5. Our Lord says it like this, "And I say unto you my friends, Be not afraid of them that kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do. But I will forewarn you whom ye shall fear: Fear him, which after he hath killed hath power to cast into hell; yea, I say unto you, Fear him."
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Have you ever stopped to think about this? The worst, the very worst that man can do to you is to take your life. Now nobody wants to die. But if you're a child of God, if you're a Christian, if you do lose your life, well, the Bible says to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord. I mean you just get an early promotion to glory is what it amounts to. So why in the world should we fear anyone who could just bring us into the presence of the Lord?
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It's true our goods may be confiscated. It's true our liberties may be taken from us. But those are minor compared to losing our lives. So our Lord said, I'll tell you what you just better fear the One True and the Living God because if He kills you He not only has power to kill, He has power to cast you into Hell. Your fear should be directed to Him. So if we fear God properly we are not going to fear man. David gives us a statement of faith in Psalm 56 and verse 11 when he said this, "In God have I put my trust: I will not be afraid what man can do unto me." In God have I put my trust: I will not be afraid what man can do unto me. Again, he said it in Psalm 118, verse 6, "The LORD is on my side; I will not fear: what can man do unto me?" In other words, man can't do anything as long as I am with the Lord and I have the Lord.
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You remember David also said, "Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me." Why? Because his fear was of God and of God alone. If we fear God properly, we will not fear man. We need to ask ourselves a simple question. Who do we really fear? Do we fear the power elite? Do we fear prison? Do we fear confiscation of goods? Do we fear loss of life? Or do we fear God? We must learn to overcome the fear of the ruling elite, regardless of who they are and where they are.
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Father, in the name of Jesus Christ, we bow to you this day. We thank you for your word. We thank you for your truth. We pray that you would help us to be fearless and bold and brave. And Lord, help us to proclaim thy word. In the name of Jesus Christ, we ask and pray. Amen.
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so so
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deepseek | deepseek-v4-pro | clean_readable_transcript | 2026-06-04T19:59:55Z

For Fear Of The Jews

John Weaver | Freedom Ministries

Pastor John Weaver examines John 7:1 to explain why Jesus avoided Judea because the ruling Jewish elite sought to kill Him. He argues that the term 'Jews' in the New Testament often refers to a powerful religious clique, not all Judeans, and that true anti-Semitism is opposition to Jesus Christ, the seed of Abraham. The sermon warns against the fear of man and calls believers to fear God alone, which overcomes the fear of any ruling elite.

Introduction: The Fear of the Jews in Scripture and Today

Weaver introduces John 7:1 and the theme of fearing the Jews, noting that this fear brought shame to believers in Christ's day and continues today, often suppressed by accusations of anti-Semitism.

[music in the background throughout the video.] John 7 verse 1 the scripture says,

Scripture Reading — John 7:1

"After these things Jesus walked in Galilee, for He would not walk in Jewry, because the Jews sought to kill Him."

Who Are the Semites? Biblical Lineage of Shem

Weaver traces the descendants of Shem through Abraham, including Ishmael, the children of Keturah, Lot, and others, arguing that 'Semite' encompasses many peoples, not just Jews.

Scripture Reading — Genesis 11:10-27

"These are the generations of Shem. Shem was 100 years old and begat Arphaxad two years after the Flood."

So if you read on down you are going to find everyone who is in the line of Shem. Now, if you will skip down to verse 26 and 27,

Scripture Reading — Genesis 11:10-27

"and Terah lived 70 years and begat Abram, Nahor, and Haran."

Jesus Christ: The True Son of Abraham and Anti-Semitism Defined

Weaver asserts that Jesus is the true seed of Abraham, making opposition to Him the ultimate anti-Semitism. He also notes that some who claim to be Jews are of the synagogue of Satan.

Scripture Reading — Revelation 2:9

"Behold, I will make them of the synagogue of Satan, which say they are Jews and are not, but do lie. Behold, I will make them come and worship before thy feet, and to know that I have loved thee."

So, there is a whole group of people who then claim to be Jews who are not really Jews at all.

Biblical Usage of 'Jew': Tribe, Land, Nation, and Religion

Weaver explains the Hebrew and Greek terms for 'Jew,' showing it can refer to a Judean, a member of the tribe of Judah, or a follower of the Jewish religion, and that not all Israelites are Jews.

Scripture Reading — 2 Kings 16:6

"At that time Rezin the king of Syria recovered Elath to Syria and drove the Jews from Elath and the Syrians came to Elath and dwelt there unto this day."

Jesus Was Not a Jew in the Religious Sense

Weaver argues that Jesus, though of the tribe of Judah, did not embrace the religion of the Jews and was therefore not a Jew in the New Testament sense, which denotes a religious identity.

The 'Jews' as a Ruling Elite, Not All Judeans

Weaver demonstrates from John 7:13, 19:38, and other passages that 'the Jews' often refers to the Pharisees, chief priests, and rulers who held power, not the common people.

Scripture Reading — John 7:13

"The Fear of the Jews."

Well, look at verse 13 of John 7.

Scripture Reading — John 7:13

"Howbeit no man spake openly of him,"

that is of Jesus Christ,

Scripture Reading — John 7:13

"for fear of the Jews."

Scripture Reading — John 19:38

"Now Joseph of Arimathea, being a disciple of Jesus, but secretly for fear of the Jews."

It was the Jews, that is the ruling elite. If you will look in your Bibles to John 20 and verse 19, John 20 and verse 19 look what the Bible says concerning the disciples.

Scripture Reading — John 20:19

"Then the same day at evening, being the first day of the week,"

that is Sunday,

Scripture Reading — John 20:19

"when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, came Jesus and stood in the midst, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you."

Why the Ruling Elite Sought to Kill Jesus

Weaver gives reasons: Jesus violated their traditions, exposed their unbelief, claimed equality with God, and threatened their power and position, leading them to plot His death.

Scripture Reading — John 5:44-47

"How can ye believe, which receive honour one of another, and seek not the honour that cometh from God only? Do not think that I will accuse you to the Father: there is one that accuseth you, even Moses, in whom ye trust. For had ye believed Moses, ye would have believed me: for he wrote of me. But if ye believe not his writings, how shall ye believe my words?"

In Luke chapter 13 beginning there with verse 10, here is where our Lord heals the woman in the synagogue. Luke 13 verse 10,

Scripture Reading — Luke 13:10-17

"And he was teaching in one of the synagogues on the Sabbath."

Note if you would it is on a Sabbath.

Scripture Reading — Luke 13:10-17

"And behold there was a woman which had a spirit of infirmity eighteen years, and was bowed together, and could in no wise lift up herself."

So she was bent over and could not straighten up.

Scripture Reading — Luke 13:10-17

"And when Jesus saw her, he called her to him, and said unto her, Woman, thou art loosed from thine infirmity." "And he laid his hands on her: and immediately she was made straight, and glorified God. And the ruler of the synagogue answered with indignation, because that Jesus had healed on the Sabbath day, and said unto the people, There are six days in which men ought to work: in them therefore come and be healed, and not on the Sabbath day. The Lord then answered him, and said, Thou hypocrite, doth not each one of you on the Sabbath loose his ox or his ass from the stall, and lead him away to watering? And ought not this woman, being a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan hath bound, lo, these eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the Sabbath day?"

Jesus' Withdrawal: Prudence and Judgment

Weaver explains that Jesus avoided Judea to avoid tempting God and as a judgment on those who rejected the truth, leaving them alone to die in their sins.

Application: Overcoming the Fear of the Ruling Elite Today

Weaver applies the lesson to modern believers, urging them to fear God rather than any ruling elite, as the fear of man is a snare, and the worst man can do is send a believer to glory.

For Fear Of The Jews

John Weaver | YouTube

Lecture Metadata	Details
Speaker	John Weaver
Source	YouTube
Media ID	W-blQ9y_J8U
Subject	New Testament Studies
Course	Revelation: Christ and the Churches
Genre	Sermon
Date	2018-09-17
Dictation Name
Book	Book 139: Revelation: Christ and the Churches — Chapter 18
Source Timed Segments	63

Lecture Guide

Outline

Introduction: The Fear of the Jews in Scripture and Today: Weaver introduces John 7:1 and the theme of fearing the Jews, noting that this fear brought shame to believers in Christ's day and continues today, often suppressed by accusations of anti-Semitism.
Who Are the Semites? Biblical Lineage of Shem: Weaver traces the descendants of Shem through Abraham, including Ishmael, the children of Keturah, Lot, and others, arguing that 'Semite' encompasses many peoples, not just Jews.
Jesus Christ: The True Son of Abraham and Anti-Semitism Defined: Weaver asserts that Jesus is the true seed of Abraham, making opposition to Him the ultimate anti-Semitism. He also notes that some who claim to be Jews are of the synagogue of Satan.
Biblical Usage of 'Jew': Tribe, Land, Nation, and Religion: Weaver explains the Hebrew and Greek terms for 'Jew,' showing it can refer to a Judean, a member of the tribe of Judah, or a follower of the Jewish religion, and that not all Israelites are Jews.
Jesus Was Not a Jew in the Religious Sense: Weaver argues that Jesus, though of the tribe of Judah, did not embrace the religion of the Jews and was therefore not a Jew in the New Testament sense, which denotes a religious identity.
The 'Jews' as a Ruling Elite, Not All Judeans: Weaver demonstrates from John 7:13, 19:38, and other passages that 'the Jews' often refers to the Pharisees, chief priests, and rulers who held power, not the common people.
Why the Ruling Elite Sought to Kill Jesus: Weaver gives reasons: Jesus violated their traditions, exposed their unbelief, claimed equality with God, and threatened their power and position, leading them to plot His death.
Jesus' Withdrawal: Prudence and Judgment: Weaver explains that Jesus avoided Judea to avoid tempting God and as a judgment on those who rejected the truth, leaving them alone to die in their sins.
Application: Overcoming the Fear of the Ruling Elite Today: Weaver applies the lesson to modern believers, urging them to fear God rather than any ruling elite, as the fear of man is a snare, and the worst man can do is send a believer to glory.

Major Themes

Key Arguments

The term 'Semite' includes many descendants of Shem, not just Jews

Abraham's descendants through Ishmael, Keturah, and Lot are all Semites, so anti-Semitism would require opposition to all these groups, not just Jews.

Genesis 11:10-27, 25:1-4; 1 Chronicles 1:32-33 trace the lineage of Shem through Abraham to many nations.

Jesus is the true seed of Abraham, making opposition to Him the ultimate anti-Semitism

Matthew 1:1 and Galatians show Jesus as the son of Abraham; therefore, the Jews who sought to kill Him were anti-Semites.

Matthew 1:1; Galatians (implied); Revelation 2:9 and 3:9 show some who claim to be Jews are of Satan's synagogue.

In the New Testament, 'Jew' primarily denotes a religious identity, not an ethnic one

Paul refers to 'the Jews' religion' in Galatians 1:13-14, contrasting it with Christianity, showing that 'Jew' in the New Testament is a religious term.

Galatians 1:13-14; Acts 26:4-5.

Jesus was not a Jew in the religious sense because He opposed their traditions

Jesus was of the tribe of Judah but did not embrace the religion of the Jews; He exposed their unbiblical traditions, so they hated Him.

John 7:1 shows the Jews sought to kill Him; He violated their Sabbath interpretations, not the Sabbath itself.

'The Jews' in John's Gospel often refers to a ruling elite, not all Judeans

Passages like John 7:13, 19:38, and 9:22 show that 'the Jews' were those with power to expel from the synagogue, not the common people who heard Jesus gladly.

John 7:13, 19:38, 9:22, 20:19; Mark 12:37.

The ruling elite sought to kill Jesus to protect their power and traditions

They feared losing their place and nation if people followed Jesus, and they were offended by His exposure of their hypocrisy and lawlessness.

John 11:47-48; John 12:19; Luke 13:14-17.

Jesus' withdrawal from Judea was an act of prudence and judgment

He avoided tempting God and left the rejecters to their fate, as taught in Matthew 10:23 and exemplified in Acts 13:46.

Matthew 4:5-7; Matthew 10:23; Matthew 15:14; Acts 13:46.

Believers must fear God, not the ruling elite, to overcome the fear of man

Since man can only kill the body, but God can cast into hell, proper fear of God liberates from fear of any human power.

Luke 12:4-5; Psalm 56:11; Psalm 118:6.

Scripture References

John 7:1: Introduction and key text: Jesus walked in Galilee because the Jews sought to kill Him.
Proverbs 29:25: The fear of man brings a snare, used to introduce the theme of fearing the Jews.
Genesis 11:10-27: Lineage of Shem, including Abram, to show the breadth of Semitic peoples.
Genesis 25:1-4: Abraham's children by Keturah, demonstrating many Semitic groups beyond Isaac.
1 Chronicles 1:32-33: Repeats the children of Abraham by Keturah, reinforcing the Semitic lineage.
Matthew 1:1: Jesus Christ is the son of David, the son of Abraham, making Him the true Semite.
Revelation 2:9: Those who say they are Jews but are not, but are the synagogue of Satan.
Revelation 3:9: Again, those who claim to be Jews but lie, identified as the synagogue of Satan.
2 Kings 16:6: First occurrence of the word 'Jews' in the Bible, referring to Judeans.
Acts 26:4-5: Paul speaks of 'our religion,' indicating the Jews had a distinct religion.
Galatians 1:13-14: Paul mentions 'the Jews' religion' twice, contrasting it with Christianity.
John 7:13: No man spoke openly of Jesus for fear of the Jews, showing the power of the ruling elite.
John 19:38: Joseph of Arimathea was a secret disciple for fear of the Jews.
John 12:41-43: Chief rulers believed but did not confess for fear of the Pharisees and love of praise.
John 20:19: Disciples assembled behind shut doors for fear of the Jews.
John 9:14-23: The blind man's parents feared the Jews because they had agreed to expel confessors of Christ.
Mark 12:37: The common people heard Jesus gladly, contrasting with the ruling elite.
John 5:15-18: The Jews persecuted Jesus for healing on the Sabbath and making Himself equal with God.
John 5:44-47: Jesus says Moses accuses them because they do not believe his writings.
Luke 13:10-17: Jesus heals a woman on the Sabbath, and the ruler of the synagogue is indignant, but the people rejoice.

Historical References

Jewish Almanac, page 3: Quoted to support that it is incorrect to call an ancient Israelite a Jew or a contemporary Jew an Israelite.
ADL (Anti-Defamation League): Mentioned as an organization that calls people anti-Semites for pointing out Jewish involvement in Christ's crucifixion.
Southern Poverty Law Center: Mentioned alongside the ADL as an organization that labels critics of Jews as anti-Semites.

Important Quotes

Strictly speaking, it is incorrect to call an ancient Israelite a Jew or to call a contemporary Jew an Israelite or a Hebrew.

Weaver uses this quote from the Jewish Almanac to support his argument that the term 'Jew' has a specific, limited meaning and should not be applied broadly to all Israelites.

In the strictest sense of the word Jesus Christ was not a Jew.

This provocative statement summarizes Weaver's argument that Jesus, though of Judah's tribe, did not embrace the Jewish religion and thus was not a 'Jew' in the New Testament religious sense.

The true anti-Semites would be the Jews themselves because Jesus Christ is the true son of David and Jesus Christ is the true son of Abraham.

Weaver redefines anti-Semitism as opposition to Christ, the ultimate Semite, turning the accusation back on the Jewish leaders who sought His death.

There's a vast difference between faith and foolishness.

Weaver emphasizes that Jesus' avoidance of danger was not lack of faith but wisdom, teaching believers to preserve life without tempting God.

Let them alone: they be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch.

Quoting Jesus, Weaver highlights the judgment of leaving rejecters of truth to their own destruction, a key application of Christ's withdrawal from Judea.

The fear of man bringeth a snare.

This Proverbs quote frames the entire sermon, warning that fear of human authorities entraps believers and prevents bold confession.

Fear him, which after he hath killed hath power to cast into hell; yea, I say unto you, Fear him.

Jesus' command in Luke 12:5 is the foundation for overcoming the fear of man: a proper fear of God's eternal judgment.

Discussion Questions

[Question]

How does the biblical definition of 'Semite' challenge modern accusations of anti-Semitism?

[Context]

Weaver argues that many descendants of Shem are Semites, not just Jews, and that opposition to Christ is the ultimate anti-Semitism.

[Question]

In what ways does the New Testament use 'the Jews' to refer to a ruling elite rather than all Jewish people?

[Context]

Weaver cites John 7:13, 19:38, and 9:22 to show that 'the Jews' often means the Pharisees and chief priests with power to expel from the synagogue.

[Question]

Why does Weaver claim Jesus was not a Jew, and how does this affect our understanding of His conflict with the religious leaders?

[Context]

Weaver says Jesus was of Judah's tribe but did not embrace the Jewish religion, which was corrupted by traditions.

[Question]

What does Jesus' withdrawal from Judea teach us about prudence, faith, and tempting God?

[Context]

Weaver explains that Jesus avoided danger to not tempt His Father, showing that preserving life is lawful and wise.

[Question]

How is the withdrawal of gospel truth a form of judgment, and what examples does Weaver give?

[Context]

Weaver points to Matthew 15:14 and Acts 13:46 where Jesus and Paul leave rejecters alone to die in their sins.

[Question]

According to Luke 12:4-5, why should fearing God overcome the fear of man?

[Context]

Weaver explains that man can only kill the body, but God can cast into hell, so proper fear of God liberates from human threats.

[Question]

What modern 'ruling elites' might cause believers to fear confessing Christ, and how can we resist that fear?

[Context]

Weaver applies the sermon to today, urging believers to identify power cliques that intimidate and to fear God instead.

Applications

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