Jesus and the Mini-Series "The Bible"

[ultimate777]

In "The Bible" a pharasee witnesses a miracle of Jesus and claims He was abhle to do it because He was a demon. Was it commonly thought in Jesus's day that demons could perform such miracles?

[jlay]

This is probably a lot more than you wanted.
Yes, Jesus was accused of being demon possessed. (John 8:52)
I doubt it was common, as miracles of the nature Jesus was performing would have been rare to say the least. So why would they say this?
What was the issue with the Pharisees? Unbelief. I thought the series did a decent job illustrating how and why Jesus' miracles would have been rejected.
The context of John 8 illustrates why the Pharisees would say this. Let's look at the broader cultural context first.

Keep in mind that Jesus was seen as a threat. At this time Israel was under occupation. We can safely deduce that this means Israel was in apostacy. When Israel followed the Law, they were blessed, which was accompanied with prosperity, defeat of enemies, etc. However, we see Israel under Roman rule, so we know this isn't the case. The religious authority was a sham, as the Herod's were in place only to the extent allowed by Rome.

The cultural climate was one that expected Messiah. This is because it was predicted. Even the exact timing was given by Daniel. This is why a man like Simeon knew Messiah would come during his life.
(Luke 2:25-25) "And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Ghost was upon him. 26 And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord's Christ.27 And he came by the Spirit into the temple: and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him after the custom of the law, 28 Then took he him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said,29 Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word: 30 For mine eyes have seen thy salvation, 31 Which thou hast prepared before the face of all people; 32 A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel."
Certainly the HS revealed this, but this is perhaps less mystical than we make it to be. The time of Messiah was known, if one was able to interpret Daniel's 70 week prophecy.
These same scriptures would have been known by Caiaphas and religious authority, but they were not able to understand them. Why? They were blinded by unbelief. Their mindset was not to see Israel restored, but to keep the status quo. Had they only heeded JTB's admonition to repent, the Kingdom was at hand, because they King was here. Therefore, until they abandoned that mindset, they were not able to believe. Jesus said it this way. "Why is my language not clear to you? Because you are unable to hear what I say." John 8:43 And, "Whoever belongs to God hears what God says. The reason you do not hear is that you do not belong to God.” Now, keep in mind, this was the religious authority. If anyone was supposed to hear and speak for Isreal, it should have been this group. But it is obvious they did not belong to God. John 8:33 says, "They answered him, “We are Abraham’s descendants and have never been slaves of anyone. How can you say that we shall be set free?”"
Really? Occupied by a foriegn army, and not slaves? What was their thinking? Denial. Did they need to repent? (change their way of thinking.) You better believe it. And since they wouldn't, they could NOT believe. It's like asking an atheist to trust Christ. They are not able. If they reject the truth that there is a God and that they have sinned against Him, then how can they believe in God's son? This isn't some mystical 'blinding,' but practical truth. Unless they repent, that is forsake this foolish thought that God doesn't exist, then they are not able to believe.

Everything God was doing was opposed to this status quo. Do you think they had to baptize in the wilderness? No. Yet, God was giving clear signs that this relgious structure was not His own. Repent! That is, abandon any thought that this structure will inherit the Kingdom. If you want the Kingdom, come away from that and be indentified to this new move of God through baptism. Remember what Jesus said? (Matt. 21:31)

Listen carefully to what He says next. "For John came to you to show you the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and the prostitutes did. And even after you saw this, you did not repent and believe him." (Matt. 21:32)
The result? Blindness. They cannot see, because they will not repent.

Remember what Nicodemus said. "He came to Jesus at night and said, "Rabbi, we (the Pharisees) know that you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the signs you are doing if God were not with him." (John 3:2)
I think we use the term 'born again' in ways that are not consistent with how it is actually used in this context. Jesus told Nicodemus, "You must be born again." The Pharisees loved darkness over light. (John 3:19) They would not come and participate in John's baptism that proclaimed the "Kingdom is at hand." Why would they stay in the dark? Pride. If they came to participate in John's baptism it would mean admitting that everything they are part of is a farce. (John 3:20) So, they would rather stay under Roman occupation and continue in their religious activity, than humble themselves before God. Let's recall exactly how Jesus stated it. “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.”
What can they not see? The Kingdom. That is the fulfillment of the Messianic promises throught the OT prophets. Can't see = blind.

-So, their unbelief was that they would not repent and thus confess publically that this is what God was doing. Instead they accused Him of being possessed by a demon. The Bible indicates that some of these (like Nicodemus) secretly did trust in Christ. But collectively they rejected. If you look at the history of Israel, its apostacy was generally dictated by its leadership, specifically the King. Herod rejected the testimony of John and Jesus personally. He killed JTB. The high priest plotted the arrest and execution of the Messiah first hand. Not a good start, huh? They certainly were not going to turn over their authority to a bunch of Galileans. Of course this is exactly what they should have done.
So, since they couldn't deny the results, (The blind see, the lame walk and the dead are raised) they had to attribute it to something. Therefore, demons.

[cheezerrox]

Not much to say except for great answer, jlay.