At some point in his Galilean ministry, Jesus had a disappointing experience in his hometown of Nazareth. Jesus could do no more mighty works in Nazareth because of the citizens' lack of belief, but his enthusiasm for carrying forward the mission he had set out to perform was not dampened; he intensified his efforts. He sent his disciples into the outlying territory with instructions to do the same type of work that he was doing. The disciples' efforts appear to have been successful, for when they brought back their report, Jesus said with reference to it, "I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven." Later, Jesus and the disciples carried their mission into the region northeast of Galilee, including such places as Tyre, Sidon, and Caesarea Philippi.
After a brief return to Galilee, during which he visited the city of Capernaum, Jesus decided to go to Jerusalem. The growing opposition to his work on the part of those who were engaged in the activities that he criticized seems to have been one of the reasons that prompted this decision. But more important, the success of his entire mission was at stake, for it was crucial that the cause that he represented be placed squarely before the leaders of the Jewish people in their headquarters at Jerusalem. Jesus realized the danger that was involved in an attempt of this kind, for he was familiar with what had happened to Israel's ancient prophets whenever they challenged government officials' policies. Nevertheless, despite the dangers to him personally, "he set his face steadfastly toward Jerusalem" no matter what it might cost him to do so. As he talked with his disciples about what might happen to him in Jerusalem, they were shocked, for they did not believe anything of that kind would happen to the promised Messiah. When Jesus tried to explain to them the true nature of the work of the Messiah, they did not understand. The journey to Jerusalem was relatively uneventful, but after Jesus' entrance into the city, opposition to his program soon became so strong that it resulted in his death. Jesus' coming into the city is described by the gospel writers as a triumphal entry, for evidently many people welcomed him, believing that the time was at hand when the promised Messiah would take part in the establishment of God's kingdom. Their hopes were soon frustrated by the turn of events. The chief priests and rulers of the people were infuriated by Jesus' attacks on the use that was being made of the Temple. When Jesus drove out the buyers and sellers and denounced the commercialism involved in priests' and rulers' activities, he aroused the antagonism of the Jewish leaders, which led to their decision to denounce him.
