Why did Jesus challenge the pious leaders in Jerusalem?

Answer 1

Martin Goodman (A World History of Christianity - The emergence of Christianity) says that it is very hard to envisage a theological reason for Jesus' crucifixion since nothing he was alleged to have preached was more shocking than is found elsewhere in Jewish literature of this period. He says that the political position of the Judean ruling classes, led by the High Priest Caiaphas, depended on their imposing their authority on the Jews, and that if they failed to do so Pontius Pilate could readily replace them. Because of this, they would move quickly against troublemakers.

In the synoptic gospels (Matthew, Mark and Luke) the event that triggered the arrest and crucifixion of Jesus was the "cleansing of the Temple", when he overturned the tables of the moneychangers. The most important accusation against Jesus at his trial was of claiming to be the King of the Jews (Mark 15:2).

In John's Gospel, the event that triggered the arrest and crucifixion of Jesus was the resurrection of Lazarus, with the Pharisees saying of him, "Perceive how ye prevail nothing? Behold the whole world is gone after him."

Answer 2

As a rabbi from an outlying province, Galilee, he traveled to Jerusalem (in the final week of his earthly life) to confront what he viewed as corrupt practices by the Jerusalem Temple leaders, called the Sadducees. The most notable example of this, as told in the Gospels, is when Jesus overturned the table of the moneychangers, who were engaging in the practice of usury inside a holy place.

Interestingly, Martin Luther,with his Ninety-five Thesesin 1517, began the religious Reformation in Europe, by confronting the religious leader of the Catholic Church in Rome, the Pope, for condoning the sale of indulgences (promises of salvation, among them) for money, to the Catholic parishioners.

These parallels continue, nowadays, as we see corrupt politicians doing backroom deals for large corporations, that are not in the interests of the people (e.g. outsourcing of jobs overseas, among many other examples).

Answer 3

it's because jesus considers them as hypocrites