I was like a trusting lamb led to the slaughter. I had no idea they were speaking about me when they said, “Let’s destroy the tree while it’s in full bloom. We’ll kill him so that no one will remember him anymore.”
Yet, you know, Yahweh, all their plots to kill me. Do not pardon their sin or blot out their guilt! Let them stumble before you. Deal with them severely in the time of your anger.”
For I heard them whispering behind my back: “Terror everywhere! That’s all he prophesies.” All my close friends watch for me to fall. “Let’s turn him in to the authorities,” they say. “Perhaps we can set a trap for him. Finally, we will prevail over him and take our revenge on him.”
Finally, his accusers said to themselves, “We will never find grounds for accusation against this Daniel unless it is related to his obedience to the law of his God.”
One Sabbath, Jesus was on his way to dine with a prominent Jewish religious leader for a festive meal. Everyone was watching him to see if he would heal anyone on the Sabbath.
Later, they sent spies who pretended to be honest seekers, but who wanted an opportunity to entangle Jesus by his words. Their plan was to catch him saying something against the government, so they could hand him over to the jurisdiction of the Roman authorities who would execute him for sedition.
but it was revealed to him what they were about to do. They closely guarded the gates of the city and tracked his every movement so they could kill him.