Jealousy Masquerading as Zeal for Truth

The high priest's assault upon the Apostles reveals a spiritual pathology that Maclaren exposes with surgical precision. The Sanhedrin spoke solemnly of 'putting down error' and maintaining doctrinal purity, yet their true motive was zelos—jealousy, not genuine zeal. 'Who are those ignorant Galileans that they should encroach on the office of us dignified teachers?' The rulers feared losing their marketplace greetings and chief seats in the synagogues far more than they feared false doctrine spreading.…