Section 1: The sins commited by the New Testament churches and the truth in the spoken words of God

Bible References on Roman Cruelty and Influence

Gospel of Matthew, Chapter 2 (King James Version)

1. Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem,

2. Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.

3. When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him.

4. And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born.

5. And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judaea: for thus it is written by the prophet,

6. And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel.

7. Then Herod, when he had privily called the wise men, enquired of them diligently what time the star appeared.

8. And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, Go and search diligently for the young child; and when ye have found him, bring me word again, that I may come and worship him also.

9. When they had heard the king, they departed; and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was.

10. When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.

11. And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh.

12. And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way.

13. And when they were departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him.

14. When he arose, he took the young child and his mother by night, and departed into Egypt:

15. And was there until the death of Herod: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Out of Egypt have I called my son.

16. Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked of the wise men, was exceeding wroth, and sent forth, and slew all the children that were in Bethlehem, and in all the coasts thereof, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had diligently inquired of the wise men.

17. Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremy the prophet, saying,

18. In Rama was there a voice heard, lamentation, and weeping, and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children, and would not be comforted, because they are not.

19. But when Herod was dead, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt,

20. Saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and go into the land of Israel: for they are dead which sought the young child’s life.

21. And he arose, and took the young child and his mother, and came into the land of Israel.

22. But when he heard that Archelaus did reign in Judaea in the room of his father Herod, he was afraid to go thither: notwithstanding, being warned of God in a dream, he turned aside into the parts of Galilee:

23. And he came and dwelt in a city called Nazareth: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophets, He shall be called a Nazarene.

Gospel of Mark

1 Early in the morning, the chief priests, elders, scribes, and the whole council held a consultation, bound Jesus, and delivered Him to Pilate.
2 Pilate asked, “Are you the King of the Jews?” Jesus answered, “You say so.”
3 The chief priests accused Him of many things, but He remained silent.
4 Pilate questioned Him again, “Don’t you answer? See how many charges they bring against you.”
5 Yet Jesus said nothing, which amazed Pilate.
6 During the feast, Pilate would release one prisoner chosen by the crowd.
7 Barabbas was a prisoner with those who had committed insurrection and murder.
8 The crowd shouted to release Barabbas as Pilate had done before.
9 Pilate asked, “Do you want me to release the King of the Jews?”
10 He knew the chief priests handed Jesus over out of envy.
11 The chief priests stirred up the crowd to ask for Barabbas instead.
12 Pilate asked again, “What shall I do with the one you call King of the Jews?”
13 They shouted, “Crucify him!”
14 Pilate asked, “What evil has he done?” but they shouted even louder, “Crucify him!”
15 To satisfy the crowd, Pilate released Barabbas and handed Jesus over to be crucified after scourging Him.
16 Soldiers led Jesus to the Praetorium, gathered the whole troop, dressed Him in purple, placed a crown of thorns on His head,
17 and mocked Him, saying, “Hail, King of the Jews!”
18 They struck His head with a reed, spat on Him, and knelt in mock worship.
19 After mocking Him, they removed the purple robe, put His own clothes back on Him, and led Him out to crucify Him.
20 They forced Simon of Cyrene, passing by from the countryside and father of Alexander and Rufus, to carry His cross.
21 They brought Jesus to Golgotha, meaning “Place of a Skull.”
22 They offered Him wine mixed with myrrh, but He did not take it.
23 After crucifying Him at the third hour, they divided His garments and cast lots for them.
24 The inscription above Him read: “THE KING OF THE JEWS.”
25 Two thieves were crucified alongside Him, one on His right and one on His left, fulfilling scripture that He was numbered with transgressors.
26 Passersby mocked Him, wagging their heads, saying, “You who destroy the temple and build it in three days, save yourself and come down from the cross.”
27 The chief priests and scribes mocked Him, saying, “He saved others; let Him save Himself if He is the Christ, the King of Israel.”
28 Those crucified with Him also insulted Him.
29 From the sixth to the ninth hour, darkness covered the land.
30 At the ninth hour, Jesus cried out loudly, “Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?” meaning, “My God, my God, why have You forsaken me?”
31 Some thought He was calling Elijah.
32 Someone ran, soaked a sponge with vinegar, put it on a reed, and offered it to Him, saying, “Let’s see if Elijah will come to take Him down.”
33 Jesus cried out again and died.
34 The temple veil tore from top to bottom.
35 The centurion standing opposite declared, “Truly this man was the Son of God.”
36 Women stood watching from a distance, including Mary Magdalene, Mary mother of James the less and Joses, and Salome, who had followed and ministered to Him in Galilee.
37 At evening, on the day of Preparation before the Sabbath, Joseph of Arimathea, a respected council member who awaited God’s kingdom, boldly asked Pilate for Jesus’ body.
38 Pilate confirmed Jesus was dead with the centurion, then granted the body to Joseph.
39 Joseph bought fine linen, took Jesus down, wrapped Him, and laid Him in a tomb cut from rock, rolling a stone to the entrance.
40 Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses watched where He was laid.

Gospel of Luke

1:5 During King Herod’s reign in Judea, there was a priest named Zacharias from the Abia division. His wife was Elisabeth, from Aaron’s daughters.

2:2-5 At that time, Caesar Augustus issued a decree for a census. Everyone went to their own town to register. Joseph went from Nazareth in Galilee to Bethlehem in Judea because he belonged to David’s house. He went with Mary, his betrothed, who was pregnant.

3:1-3 In Tiberius Caesar’s 15th year, with Pontius Pilate governing Judea, Herod tetrarch of Galilee, and others in office, the word of God came to John, son of Zacharias, in the wilderness.

23:1-25 The whole crowd led Jesus to Pilate, accusing Him of perverting the nation and forbidding tribute to Caesar, claiming He was Christ the King. Pilate questioned Him and found no fault. Herod, also questioned and mocked Him, but found no cause for death. Pilate offered to chastise and release Him, but the crowd demanded Barabbas’ release and Jesus’ crucifixion. Pilate gave in and delivered Jesus to their will.

Gospel of John

Pilate asked the crowd what charges they brought. They said, if He were not a criminal, they wouldn’t have handed Him over. Pilate told them to judge Jesus by their law, but they said they couldn’t put anyone to death. Pilate asked Jesus if He was the King of the Jews. Jesus answered, “You say so.” Pilate discussed kingdoms and truth with Him, then told the Jews he found no fault. The custom was to release one prisoner at Passover, so Pilate asked if they wanted Jesus released. They shouted for Barabbas, a robber, to be freed instead.

Context on the Roman Empire and God’s Judgment

At Jesus’ time, the Roman Empire controlled Israel completely. They destroyed the Temple, replacing its sacred altars with idolatrous images. They stopped daily sacrifices, imposed heavy taxes, and forced the people into hard labor. Roman officers ruled the land, and Herod, a Roman-appointed ruler, even sought to kill baby Jesus.

The empire’s actions were deeply opposed to God and His people. Ultimately, the empire’s destruction was God’s judgment.