Disciples' Fear of Jewish Authorities in the Gospels
The Gospels record instances where Jesus' disciples and followers experienced fear of Jewish authorities, particularly concerning excommunication from the synagogue or physical harm. This fear is explicitly mentioned in the Gospel of John, where the parents of the man born blind refused to identify Jesus as the Christ because "they feared the Jews; for the Jews had already agreed that if any man would confess him as Christ, he would be put out of the synagogue" [1]. This demonstrates a significant social and religious consequence for those who openly associated with Jesus.
The fear extended to the disciples themselves. After Jesus' crucifixion, the disciples gathered behind locked doors "because of the fear of the Jews" [10]. Mary Magdalene, a disciple, also feared the Jews, who were "burning with wrath," and consequently did not immediately perform the customary burial rites for Jesus [12]. Athanasius of Alexandria notes that the disciples "withdrew and hid themselves for fear of the Jews," drawing a parallel to Paul's escape from Damascus as an example of saints fleeing persecution [8].
This fear was not unfounded, as hostile Jewish leaders actively persecuted Jesus' first disciples, being "offended by Jesus’ new and authoritative revelation" [11]. The chief priests and scribes sought to apprehend Jesus but "feared the people" [3], indicating that public opinion sometimes restrained their actions, but their intent to seize him was clear [13].
Beyond the fear of Jewish authorities, the disciples also experienced other forms of fear. For example, when Jesus walked on water, the disciples were "troubled, saying it is a spirit" [7]. They were "very afraid" when they heard a voice from the cloud during the Transfiguration [2]. Similarly, those who witnessed Jesus casting out a "legion" of demons were afraid [4]. Torrey's Topical Textbook categorizes "fear of man" as an "unholy fear," characteristic of the wicked [5]. However, Tyndale House suggests that Jesus' disciples should "fear only God by obeying him and testifying of him," contrasting God's unlimited authority with that of human authorities [9].
The broader context of fear in the ancient world, as described by Josephus, includes the idea that those in power might "put off all such notions" of piety and righteousness, taking up "boldness, insolence, and a contempt of both human and Divine laws" [6]. This suggests a climate where those in authority could act with impunity, contributing to the fear experienced by those under their power.
The disciples' fear of Jewish authorities highlights the real dangers faced by early followers of Jesus and the social pressures to conform to established religious norms. Despite these fears, the narrative also emphasizes the ultimate authority of God, which believers are called to fear above all else [9].
Sources
- John “His parents said these things because they feared the Jews; for the Jews had already agreed that if any man would confess him as Christ, he would be put out of the synagogue. -- John 9:22”
- Matthew “When the disciples heard it, they fell on their faces, and were very afraid. -- Matthew 17:6”
- Luke “The chief priests and the scribes sought to lay hands on him that very hour, but they feared the people—for they knew he had spoken this parable against them. -- Luke 20:19”
- Mark “They came to Jesus, and saw him who had been possessed by demons sitting, clothed, and in his right mind, even him who had the legion; and they were afraid. -- Mark 5:15”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Fear, Unholy — A characteristic of the wicked -- Re 21:8. Is described as A fear of idols. -- 2Ki 17:38. A fear of man. -- 1Sa 15:24; Joh 9:22. A fear of judgments. -- Isa 2:19; Lu 21:26; Re 6:16,17. A fear of future punishment. -- Heb 10:27. Overwhelming. -- Ex 15:16; Job 15:21,24. Consuming. -- Ps 73:19. A guilty conscience leads to -- Ge 3:8,10; Ps 53:5; Pr 28:1. Seizes the wicked -- Job 15:24; 18:11. Surprises the hypocrite -- Isa 33:14,18. The wicked judicially filled with -- Le 26:16,17; De 28:65-67; Jer 49:5. Shall be realised -- Pr 1:27; 10:24. God mocks -- P”
- Project Gutenberg “Flavius Josephus, Antiquities of the Jews, CHAPTER 12, section 5: the actions of their lives, and that he does not only see the actions that are done, but clearly knows those their thoughts also, whence those actions do arise. But when once they are advanced into power and authority, then they put off all such notions, and, as if they were no other than actors upon a theater, they lay aside their disguised parts and manners, and take up boldness, insolence, and a contempt of both human and Divine laws, and this at a time when they especially stand in need of piety and righteousness, because th”
- Matthew (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Matthew 14:25: And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea,.... It being now morning, and perhaps might have moon light; and besides, there is always more light upon the water than land; they were able to discern something like a man, walking upon the surface of the sea, but had not light enough to distinguish what, or who it was; and, moreover, had no thought of Christ, or expectation of seeing him; and the appearance of a man walking upon the waters being so unusual, and astonishing, they were troubled, saying it is a spirit: a nocturnal apparition, a demon in human form”
- CCEL (Patristic) “Athanasius of Alexandria, Select Works and Letters, section 314: 11. Examples of Scripture Saints in defence of flight. Perhaps they have not read these histories; as being out of date; yet have they no recol 259 lection of what is written in the Gospel? For the disciples also withdrew and hid themselves for fear of the Jews; and Paul, when he was sought after by the governor at Damascus, was let down from the wall in a basket, and so escaped his hands. As the Scripture then relates these things of the Saints, what excuse will they be able to invent for their wickedness? To reproach them with ”
- Matthew (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Matthew 10:28: 10:28 Jesus’ disciples are to fear only God by obeying him and testifying of him; in contrast to human authorities, God’s authority and judgment are unlimited. • hell: See study note on 5:29.”
- Schaff ANF/NPNF (Patristic) “ANF Vol 9: Gospel of Peter, Diatessaron, Origen's Commentaries — SECTION LIV. (part 1): 54 1 And while they talked together,(1) the evening of that day arrived which was the First-day; and the doors were shut where the disciples were, because of the fear of the 2 Jews; and Jesus came and stood among them, and said unto them, Peace be with you: I am he; fear not. But they were agitated, and became afraid, and supposed that they 3 saw a spirit. Jesus said unto them, Why are ye agitated? and why do thoughts rise 4 Arabic, in(2) your hearts? See my hands and my feet, that I am he: feel me, and p. ”
- Matthew (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Matthew 5:10: 5:10-11 Jesus’ first disciples were persecuted by hostile Jewish leaders who were offended by Jesus’ new and authoritative revelation (see 10:17-23; 11:2-6; 12:1-8; 15:1-20; 23:34-36). Since then, doing right by associating with Jesus and obeying his teachings has often been a source of persecution (10:24-25; 2 Tim 3:12).”
- Schaff ANF/NPNF (Patristic) “ANF Vol 9: Gospel of Peter, Diatessaron, Origen's Commentaries — THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO PETER (part 4): guilty of the greatest sin before God, and not to fall into the hands of the people of the Jews and to be stoned. Pilate therefore commanded the centurion and the soldiers to say nothing. 12 And at dawn upon the Lord's day Mary Magdalen, a disciple of the Lord, fearing because of the Jews, since they were burning with wrath, had not done at the Lord's sepulchre the things which women are wont to do for those that die and for those that are beloved by them--she took her friends with her and ”
- Schaff ANF/NPNF (Patristic) “ANF Vol 9: Gospel of Peter, Diatessaron, Origen's Commentaries — SECTION XLI. (part 3): cast down. 31 And two days before[3] the passover of unleavened bread, the chief priests and 32 the scribes sought how they might take him by deceit,[4] and kill him: and they said, It shall not be at the feast, lest the people be agitated. 33 And when Jesus sat on the mount of Olives opposite the temple, his disciples, Simon Cephas and James and John and Andrew, came forward unto him, and said unto him 34 between themselves and him, Teacher, tell us when that shall be, and what is the sign 35 Arabic, of th”