When you read the Gospels, it becomes clear that the Jewish leaders became very upset whenever Jesus said or did anything that would indicate that He was equal with God. Initially it might be forgivable in that Jesus could be claimed to be someone who was trying to set himself up as the Messiah and who used blasphemy.

However, toward the end of Jesus' ministry he did several things that made it clear to the leaders that He actually was of God and what He said was true. Initially He did things like forgive people of their sins, cast out demons and perform miracles. This could be explained away by saying that He didn't actually have the power to forgive sins and that he did miracles by the power of Satan.

But then came the raising of Lazarus from the dead. At that point there was no question but that Jesus was of God. But at that point, having taken a position against Jesus and realizing their status as leaders was at risk, the Jewish leaders began plotting Jesus' death knowing that they were going to kill one who was of God. The whole difficulty with taking Jesus prisoner, difficulty with the process of His trial, and his unwillingness to defend himself all pressed upon their consciences. Then finally, witnessing what happened at Calvary and knowing that the veil of the Sanctuary was rent was all clear evidence that they had killed the Son of God.

When Christ was in the grave the Jewish leaders had no peace what-so-ever. They not only feared that He would come back to life as he had said but that God wrath would be poured out on the Nation of Israel and utterly destroy it for what they had done.

But it wasn't until Stephen laid out the overview of the history of Israel and showed the leaders that they were just like their forefathers who had killed the prophets. Even worse they killed the Son of God of whom the prophets foretold. It was too much. The Jewish nation was unwilling to repent despite all of the evidence. And in an action which could only be regarded as an unpardonable sin, they stoned Stephen to death.

The lack of repentence on the part of the Jewish nation is why the last cells of this column are left blank. They could have fulfilled God's purposes if only they had repented.