THE BIBLE'S VIEWPOINT/Why Are Jesus' True Followers Hated?

Some Opposers Are Envious

Many who opposed Jesus did so out of envy. Indeed, Roman governor Pontius Pilate "was aware that because of envy the chief priests had handed [Jesus] over" to be impaled.  (Mark 15:9, 10) Why were the Jewish religious leaders envious of Christ?  One factor was his popularity with the common people, whom the former looked down on.  "The world has gone after him,"  The Pharisees complained.  (John 12:19) Likewise, when people later responded positively to the ministerial of Christ's followers, religious opposers once again became "filled with jealously" and lashed out at the Christian evangelizers. -Acts 13:45, 50.  

Other enemies resented the good conduct of God's servants. To fellow Christians, the apostle Peter said:  "Because you do not continue running with them [the wicked] in this course to the same low sink of debauchery, they are puzzled and go on speaking abusively of you." (1 Peter 4:4)  The same negative attitude can be seen today. Of course, true Christians, while avoiding bad conduct, do not display a self-righteous, superior attitude.  That, in fact, would be unchristian, for all humans are sinners and in need of God's mercy. - Romans 3:23.

Next time: Why Are Jesus' True Followers Hated? - Hate for Being "No Part of the world"

From the Awake! magazine