In the 1st century CE, a schism emerged within the Jewish community in Palestine. A group of followers, led by Jesus of Nazareth, proclaimed him the Messiah and the Son of God. However, the majority of Jews rejected this claim, viewing it as a violation of the fundamental principle of monotheism.
The roots of this rejection can be traced back to the Hebrew Bible, which emphasizes the oneness of God (Deuteronomy 6:4). The idea of a divine being, equal to God, was seen as a form of idolatry. Moreover, the Jewish tradition emphasized the coming of a Messiah who would usher in a era of peace and redemption (Isaiah 11:9), which Jesus’ life and death did not fulfill.
The Jewish scholars of the time, such as the Pharisees, interpreted scripture in a literal sense, unlike the early Christians who adopted a more allegorical approach. This difference in interpretation led to a divergence in beliefs about Jesus’ nature and role.
The concept of “son of God” in Judaism referred to a righteous person, not a divine being (Psalm 82:6). The idea of Jesus as the Son of God was seen as a contradiction to the unity of God.
The historical context of the time also played a significant role in the rejection of Jesus’ divinity. The Roman occupation and the political tensions between Jewish factions created an environment of suspicion and conflict. The early Christian community’s claims about Jesus were seen as a threat to Jewish identity and tradition.
Throughout history, this rejection of Jesus as the Son of God has remained a core aspect of Jewish belief, shaping the trajectory of Jewish-Christian relations and theological debates….Seë_Morë