Killing Jesus by Bill O’Reilly

Bybenmunoz

BOOK I: THE WORLD OF JESUS

Bethlehem, Judea: March, 5 B.C., morning

  • Jesus is born into a Jewish society living under Roman domination and constant political tension.
  • Judea is ruled by Herod the Great, a paranoid client king loyal to Rome.
  • Messianic expectations are widespread due to poverty, oppression, and religious prophecy.
  • Rome allows local customs but responds brutally to any sign of rebellion.

Rome: March 15, 44 B.C., 11 A.M.

  • Julius Caesar is assassinated by senators who fear his consolidation of power.
  • The murder demonstrates that Roman politics are violent and unstable at the highest levels.
  • Power in Rome is shown to be maintained through force rather than moral authority.
  • This culture of political violence will later shape Rome’s response to unrest in Judea.

Philippi, Northern Greece: October 23, 42 B.C., morning

  • Roman civil war culminates in the defeat of Caesar’s assassins by Octavian and Mark Antony.
  • The Roman Republic effectively ends, giving way to imperial rule.
  • Centralized authority becomes the dominant political model.
  • Stability is valued above all else, even at the cost of brutality.

Jordan River Valley, Judea: March 22, A.D. 7, noon

  • A Roman census sparks widespread Jewish resistance.
  • Rebels oppose taxation as both economic exploitation and religious violation.
  • Rome responds with swift and lethal force.
  • Roman officials learn that Jewish religious movements can quickly become political threats.

Jerusalem: March 23, A.D. 7, afternoon

  • Jewish religious leaders choose cooperation with Rome over resistance.
  • The High Priesthood becomes a political office approved by Roman authorities.
  • Maintaining order is prioritized over justice or independence.
  • This alliance plants the seeds for later collaboration against Jesus.

BOOK II: BEHOLD THE MAN

Jordan River, Perea: A.D. 26, midday

  • John the Baptist preaches repentance and baptizes large crowds.
  • His popularity alarms both Jewish leaders and Roman authorities.
  • Jesus is baptized and begins his public life within a charged political environment.
  • Rome views mass religious gatherings as potential rebellion incubators.

Villa Jovis, Capri: A.D. 26, night

  • Emperor Tiberius governs the empire from isolation, ruling through fear and suspicion.
  • Informants and executions maintain control.
  • Governors like Pontius Pilate understand that failure to maintain order could mean death.
  • Political pressure flows downward, encouraging overreaction to unrest.

Jerusalem: April, A.D. 27, day

  • Pontius Pilate governs Judea with little understanding of Jewish customs.
  • He routinely insults Jewish sensibilities and uses violence to suppress dissent.
  • Jewish leaders despise Pilate but fear Roman retaliation more.
  • Pilate’s sole objective is preventing uprisings during his tenure.

Capernaum, Galilee: Summer, A.D. 27, afternoon

  • Jesus gains attention as a healer and teacher among common people.
  • His authority challenges religious norms and social hierarchies.
  • Crowds grow steadily, spreading his reputation.
  • Roman-aligned leaders begin monitoring his movement.

Galilee: April, A.D. 29, day

  • Jesus’s following expands across the region.
  • His teachings increasingly carry political implications.
  • Disciples begin to view him as a Messiah figure.
  • Leaders worry that Roman attention will follow.

Jerusalem: October, A.D. 29, day

  • Jesus appears in Jerusalem during a major religious festival.
  • Massive crowds heighten Roman anxiety.
  • Jewish authorities fear collective punishment if unrest occurs.
  • The leadership begins actively planning to neutralize Jesus.

BOOK III: “IF YOU ARE THE SON OF GOD, TAKE YOURSELF OFF THIS CROSS”

Outside Jerusalem: Sunday, April 2, A.D. 30, afternoon

  • Jesus enters Jerusalem publicly in a symbolic, king-like manner.
  • Crowds greet him as a deliverer.
  • Roman and Jewish leaders interpret this as dangerous provocation.
  • The decision to eliminate Jesus becomes inevitable.

Jerusalem: Monday, April 3, A.D. 30, morning

  • Jesus disrupts commercial activity in the Temple.
  • This act challenges the authority and income of the priestly elite.
  • Leaders see this as a direct threat to social order.
  • Rome’s tolerance is now at risk.

Jerusalem: Tuesday, April 3, A.D. 30, morning

  • Jesus publicly debates religious authorities and outmaneuvers them.
  • His popularity humiliates the leadership.
  • Arresting him openly could spark riots.
  • A discreet arrest becomes the preferred solution.

Jerusalem: Wednesday, April 4, A.D. 30, night

  • Judas Iscariot agrees to betray Jesus.
  • His motives are pragmatic rather than purely evil.
  • The betrayal enables authorities to act without public disturbance.
  • The plan moves forward quickly.

Lower City of Jerusalem: Thursday, April 4, A.D. 30, night

  • Jesus is arrested in the Garden of Gethsemane.
  • His followers flee in fear.
  • Jesus does not resist arrest.
  • The movement temporarily collapses.

Jerusalem: Friday, April 7, A.D. 30, early morning/day

  • Jesus is interrogated by Jewish leaders under religious law.
  • He is accused of blasphemy and claiming kingship.
  • Jewish authorities lack legal authority to execute him.
  • He is transferred to Roman custody.

Jerusalem’s Upper City: April 7, A.D. 30, 8:00 A.M.–3:00 P.M.

  • Pontius Pilate questions Jesus and finds no clear legal crime.
  • Pilate attempts to avoid execution.
  • The crowd grows increasingly hostile.
  • Political survival outweighs justice.

Jerusalem’s Upper City: April 7, A.D. 30, 3:00 P.M.–6:00 P.M.

  • Pilate offers the crowd a choice between Jesus and Barabbas.
  • The crowd chooses Barabbas, a known rebel.
  • Jesus is brutally scourged.
  • Pilate orders crucifixion to restore order.

Pilate’s Palace, Jerusalem: Saturday, April 8, A.D. 30, day

  • Jesus is buried quickly due to Sabbath laws.
  • Roman guards are stationed at the tomb.
  • Authorities want to prevent martyrdom or unrest.
  • The execution is considered resolved.

Jesus’s Tomb: Sunday, April 9, A.D. 30, dawn

  • The tomb is discovered empty.
  • Roman guards panic, fearing punishment.
  • Authorities attempt to suppress rumors.
  • The movement unexpectedly survives.

Afterword

  • Jesus’s death does not end his influence.
  • His followers regroup and spread his message.
  • Rome fails to grasp the long-term impact of the execution.

Postscript

  • Christianity grows despite persecution.
  • Within centuries, it becomes Rome’s official religion.
  • A preventive execution reshapes world history.