Yes, the Jews had authority to put people to death under Roman rule, as Les Feldick explains from Paul's own admission.
Les Feldick points out that Rome allowed the Jewish people to carry out capital punishment in the name of their religion. He bases this on Paul's testimony in Acts 26, where Paul confesses he received authority from the chief priests to imprison and vote for the death of Jewish believers. This authority was specifically tied to religious matters and internal Jewish affairs.
Acts 26:10 — Paul's own testimony confirms he received authority from the chief priests and voted for the death of believers.
In Acts 26:10, Paul recounts his past actions: 'Which thing I also did in Jerusalem: and many of the saints did I shut up in prison, having received authority from the chief priests; and when they were put to death, I gave my voice against them.' This verse indicates that Paul, acting on authority from the chief priests, participated in the imprisonment and execution of believers. The Bible also shows in Acts 9:1-2 that Saul sought letters from the high priest to arrest followers of 'the Way' even in Damascus, implying an authorized religious jurisdiction.
Les Feldick teaches that the Jews did have the authority to carry out capital punishment under the Roman Empire, but within the bounds of their own religion and toward their own people. He emphasizes that Rome did not interfere with Jewish religious executions, as seen in Paul's confession of receiving authority from the chief priests (Acts 26:10). Les also notes that this authority was exercised against Jewish believers who were seen as heretics to Judaism. He clarifies that the Jews' demand for Rome to crucify Christ was a prophetic necessity, as prophecy required both Jew and Gentile to put the Messiah to death.
According to Les Feldick, Rome granted the Jews the right to carry out capital punishment in religious matters, but this was limited to their own people and religious disputes. He explains that the chief priests had authority to order imprisonments and executions of those deemed heretics, as Paul did. However, this authority did not extend to Gentiles or political matters, which is why the Jews needed Rome to crucify Jesus, as prophecy required.
Les Feldick addresses this question directly: he says it was prophecy. Prophecy had said that both Jew and Gentile would put the Messiah to death, so it couldn't be just by the Jew. Thus, even though the Jews had the authority to execute, the crucifixion had to involve Romans to fulfill what was written.
What Is Paul's Gospel? 1 Corinthians 15:1-4 Explained Verse by Verse
We teach it as at the Second Coming of Christ. But here's Paul already saved 2,000 years earlier. And so what does he say? I'm like a preemie. I have been delivered prematurely. Now it's a stretch of the imagination when we go 2,000 years, I know that.
Jewish Authority to Execute
Les explains that Jews had authority to execute Jewish believers as heretics, and Paul took responsibility for killing them.
Why Paul's Gospel to Gentiles Is Different From Peter's
Verse 28, And he was with them, coming in and going out at Jerusalem. And he spoke boldly in the name of the Lord Jesus, and disputed against the Grecians. Now these are not Gentiles, remember. Remember your terminology? A Grecian was a non-Palestine Jew. They were Jews who were citizens of other nations, not Palestine. And so he disputed against the Grecians.
Paul's Vote for Death
Les notes Paul voted to put believers to death and compelled them to blaspheme, showing the extent of Jewish religious authority.
Paul's Persecution of Believers
Les describes Paul's zeal to stamp out believers, putting them to death for believing Jesus was the Christ.
Authority from Chief Priests, Not Rome
Les clarifies that Paul received authority from the chief priests, not Caesar, and that Rome allowed Jewish capital punishment in religious matters.
Introducing Paul: Why God Stopped the Prophetic Clock
And so now verse 3, finishing it, "...as for Saul, he made havoc of the assembly," or these called-out Jewish believers, "...entering into every house and hailing men and women, and committed them to prison." In other words, Saul was just so intense on stamping out anyone who was following this Jesus of Nazareth. And why? Well, Saul was a tremendously religious man.
Saul's Authority to Arrest
Les shows Saul sought letters from the high priest to arrest believers even in Damascus, indicating religious authority to enforce.
Acts 26:10: Which thing I also did in Jerusalem: and many of the saints did I shut up in prison, having received authority from the chief priests; and when they were put to death, I gave my voice against them.
Paul's confession records his use of Jewish authority to imprison and vote for execution of believers.
Acts 9:1-2: And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest, And desired of him letters to Damascus to the synagogues, that if he found any of this way, whether they were men or women, he might bring them bound unto Jerusalem.
This shows Saul's authority from the high priest extended to other cities, to arrest believers.
Yes, according to Les Feldick, Rome allowed the Jews to carry out capital punishment in religious matters. Paul's confession in Acts 26 shows he received authority from the chief priests to imprison and vote for death of believers.
Les Feldick explains that prophecy required both Jew and Gentile to put the Messiah to death, so it couldn't be by Jews alone. Thus, the Romans had to be involved in the crucifixion.
Watch the Teaching: What Is Paul's Gospel? 1 Corinthians 15:1-4 Explained Verse by Verse