Basic Context
This account of persecution is part of a general theme of a polemic against the Jews that starts with the Pharisee rejection of Jesus's ministry, the Cleansing of the Temple, and continues on with his trial before the High Priest, his crucifixion, and the Pharisees' refusal to accept him as the Jewish Messiah. This theme plays an important part in a number of Christian doctrines ranging from the release of Christians from obeying many strictures of the Old Testament Law (see Biblical law in Christianity) to the commandment to preach to "all nations" (meaning to Gentiles as well as Jews; see the Great Commission), to the concepts of Supersessionism and Abrogation of Old Covenant laws.
Read more about this topic: Persecution Of Christians In The New Testament
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