Biblical Hebrew Forum

["Lewis Reich" <LBR AT sprynet.com>]

On 24 Dec 98, at 17:04, Greg Stafford wrote:

> The high priest's reaction shows that his claim to be the Messiah/Christ/Son
> of the Blessed was rejected, and that a claim to such a sacred office by a 
> man
> whom they believe to be demonized (John 8:48) was to be punished with the
> greatest severity. 

Since it is rather unlikely that the narrator was present at the inteview, or 
had seen a record taken down by someone who was, as a historical matter it 
seems to me that all we can speak of is the intentions of the author.  This 
is 
especially so in view of the fact that there I do not believe that there is 
much  reason to think that in terms of Jewish law such a claim was one that 
would be punished.  

Lewis Reich
LBR AT sprynet.com