Thus by choosing a heathen ruler, the Jewish nation had withdrawn 738 from the theocracy. They had rejected God as their king. Henceforth they had no deliverer. They had no king but Caesar. To this the priests and teachers had led the people. For this, with the fearful results that followed, they were responsible. A nation's sin and a nation's ruin were due to the religious leaders.

Ved således at vælge en hedensk hersker havde det jødiske folk trukket sig tilbage fra Guds herredømme. De havde forkastet Gud som deres konge. Fra nu af havde de ingen frelser. De havde ingen anden konge end kejseren. Så vidt havde præsterne og lærerne ført folket! Dette var de ansvarlige for tillige med de forfærdelige følger, det havde. Et folks synd og et folks undergang skyldtes dette folks religiøse ledere.