The Jews were looking for a Messiah to be revealed in outward show. They expected Him, by one flash of overmastering will, to change the current of men's thoughts, and force from them an acknowledgment of His supremacy. Thus, they believed, He was to secure His own exaltation, and gratify their ambitious hopes. Thus when Christ was treated with contempt, there came to Him a strong temptation to manifest His divine character. By a word, by a look, He could compel His persecutors to confess that He was Lord above kings and rulers, priests and temple. But it was His difficult task to keep to the position He had chosen as one with humanity.

Jøderne så hen til en Messias, der åbenbarede sig ved ydre herlighed. De ventede, at han ved et eneste lynglimt af overvældende vilje skulle ændre menneskers tankegang og fratvinge dem anerkendelse af sit overherredømme. De troede, at han på denne måde ville sikre sig sin egen ophøjelse og tilfredsstille deres ærgerrige håb. Da Kristus blev behandlet med ringeagt, blev han grebet af en stærk fristelse til at åbenbare sin guddommelige karakter. Ved et ord eller ved et blik kunne han tvinge sine forfølgere til at erkende, at han var Herren over alle konger og herskere, over præster og tempel. Men hans vanskelige opgave bestod i at bevare den stilling, han havde valgt: at være ét med menneskeheden.