They had signally failed to subvert the authority of Jesus or to alienate the respect and attention of the people, many of whom were convicted by His words. The rulers themselves had felt deep condemnation as He had pressed their guilt home upon their consciences; yet this only made them the more bitter against Him. They were determined to take His life. They sent messengers all over the country to warn the people against Jesus as an impostor. Spies were sent to watch Him, and report what He said and did. The precious Saviour was now most surely standing under the shadow of the cross.

Det var på ingen måde lykkedes for dem at kuldkaste Jesu myndighed eller omstyrte den agtelse og opmærksomhed, folket viste ham. Mange lod sig overbevise af hans ord. Selv rådsherrerne havde følt sig under en hård dom, da han ramte deres samvittighed ved at tale om deres synd; men dette gjorde deres følelser endnu mere bitre imod ham. De var fast besluttede på at ville tage hans liv. De sendte sendebud ud over hele landet for at advare folk mod Jesus som en bedrager. Der blev udsendt spioner for at holde øje med ham og indberette, hvad han sagde og gjorde. I sandhed stod den dyrebare Frelser nu under korsets skygge.