Blasphemy

Luke 23:63-65

The men who were holding Jesus in custody were mocking him as they beat him. They also blindfolded him and kept asking him, "Prophesy! Who is it who hit you?" And they said many other things against him, blaspheming him. These men did not know what a terrible thing they were doing. They made fun of their Maker, the One who came down to save them, the Son of God. Matthew and Mark record how these men who laughed at and punched Jesus were also spitting in his face. Other men came up to him slapping him in his face. Yet, in all this, Jesus did not sin. 

I gave My back to those who strike Me, And My cheeks to those who pluck out the beard; I did not cover My face from humiliation and spitting.  (Isaiah 53:4)

The Jewish religious rulers accused Jesus of blasphemy. How ironic that they actually were the ones who committed blasphemy. They were repulsed that this man claimed to be the Son of God. Their idea of a savior was more in line with a powerful, political head, not this man who caused the Jews to question them. Having Jesus arrested and killed was their way of reclaiming authority over and allegiance of the Jewish people.