The History of Buddhist Thought c23.24

c23.24

The narrative of the Passion begins with a scene of conspiracy. The religious authorities—the chief priests and the scribes—are actively seeking a way to eliminate Jesus. The mention of the Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread provides the temporal setting for the events that follow. These were major Jewish festivals, drawing large crowds to Jerusalem, which heightened the authorities' anxiety about public disorder. Their concern that "the people may riot" underscores the popularity Jesus enjoyed among the masses, making a public arrest dangerous. This tension between the authorities' desire to remove Jesus and their fear of the crowd sets the stage for the betrayal by Judas, which will provide the opportunity they need to act in secret. The juxtaposition of the holy festival with the murderous intent of the religious leaders highlights the irony and the gravity of the situation.