The Relation between Christ, Believers and Authorities in Matthew
The Relation between Christ, Believers and Authorities in Matthew

Summary/Abstract: One can find not too many passages in Matthew which deal with the relation between Christ, his followers and the authorities. When Christ or the believers came into contact with the authorities, usually they ended up persecuted, mistreated, jailed or executed. We examine the encounter of Jesus with Herod, Pharisees, Herodians, Pilate, chief priests, the first and second Roman centurion, and then the meeting of John the Baptist and Joseph of Arimathea with the authorities. There are very rare instances when a representative of the authorities does not abuse of his status and acts as a normal human being. Jesus prepares his disciples for the ill treatment to come and assures them of his help. They have to react during the persecution as the sons of the heavenly Father, they may rejoice in the suffering, knowing that the power of the authorities is finite, and the word of God is endless.

• Details
• Contents