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BOOK REVIEW
‘Killing Jesus’
Written by Bill O’Reilly and Martin Dugard
Reviewed by J.J. Waller Jr., MD
“Killing Jesus” is the third book by Bill 79-member religious court, the Great San-
O’Reilly and Martin Dugard considering the hedrin, which had absolute authority to enforce
“death” of an important figure in history, which Jewish religious law.
includes “Killing Lincoln” and “Killing
Kennedy.” This presentation concerns one of Caiaphas was not a moral, honest high priest,
the most influential individuals who ever lived, and he and Pontius Pilate collaborated to keep
Jesus of Nazareth. the Jewish people subdued and under the au-
thority of Rome. Various Sadducees tried re-
The first third of the book concerns the peatedly to trap Jesus into admitting he was the
50-year era of Roman history preceding the Messiah and the Son of God (a blasphemy pun-
birth of Jesus. Details of the lives of certain ishable by death). Agents of Pilate tracked Jesus
prominent historical figures are presented, pro- and his disciples continuously to determine if he
viding a clear background of the times, includ- was promoting rebellion. However, the time
ing Julius Caesar, Herod the Great, Caesar eventually came. The people were declaring
Augustus, Cleopatra, Anthony, Tiberius and Jesus the prophesied king of the Jews and the
Pontius Pilate. son of God. Betrayed by Judas as to his location,
Jesus was arrested by the Sanhedrin. They tried
Beginning with the birth of Jesus during the him for the highest blasphemy, convicted him,
reign of Herod the Great, Herod’s attempt to and sentenced him to death. However, the civil
eliminate all newborns is discussed. What is ac- law of Rome dictated all death sentences must
tually known of the early life of Jesus is reliably be reviewed by the local governor.
represented. Life was extremely hard with severe
oppression and high taxation from Rome. Reli- Jesus was brought before Pilate, who listened
gious observances had to be celebrated in the but was unable to find that Jesus had legally bro-
high temple in Jerusalem where purchase of an- ken any Roman law. He referred the case to the
imals for sacrifice and money changing was con- tetrarch Herod, who refused to accept any re-
trolled by the Sadducees (the high priests). sponsibility and sent him back to Pilate. This
was a touchy legal dilemma because Tiberius,
At 30 years of age, Jesus was baptized by John the ruler in Rome, respected the Jews and their
the Baptist in the river Jordan. This was the first moral stand on issues. Pilate finally “washed his
suggestion that Jesus was someone special. He hands” (a legal way to indicate no responsibil-
realized that he could no longer remain silent ity), and gave the Sanhedrin the right to decide.
and that it was time to commence fulfilling his They declared Jesus must be executed.
destiny. Over the next several years, his preach-
ing and his discussions with thousands of com- Jesus of Nazareth was dead at age 36. The
mon people were based on his message of peace man who preached the gospel fearlessly, who in-
and love. This, together with his episodes of troduced a new faith of goodwill and love for all,
healing, began to entrench in the many that he was finished. He never was forgotten and now
actually was the Messiah who for centuries had has billions of followers throughout the world.
been predicted by the ancient Jewish prophets.
With his ideas, he began to challenge the world’s The book is an excellent narrative. Historical
most powerful men. basis is found in the gospels of the New Testa-
ment, and in histories by Josephus, Pliny the
Near the time of Jesus’ death, Herod Antipas Younger, Philo and many other Jewish, Greek
(the son of Herod the Great) was tetrarch of and Roman authors. This is a most entertain-
Galilee. Pontius Pilate was the new governor of ing read.
Israel, and Tiberius was the ruler of Rome. The
religious head of the Jews was the temple high J.J.Waller Jr., MD, is a member of
priest, Caiaphas. He along with certain other the BCMS Communications/Publica-
Sadducees and Pharisees constituted the tions Committee.
40 San Antonio Medicine • July 2015
