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Thus there were false Messiahs and many people experienced the bitter consequences of following them. (44:1) For many early Christians, Jewish objections to Jesus may have been a test of their faith. An individual like Bar Cochba would have seemed closer to popular Jewish Messianic expectation because of his political character and his promise of deliverance, that is, political deliverance from Rome. This political image fits the literal interpretations of the Scripture common among the Jews at that time. Jesus knew that such political 'messiahs' would arise; therefore, He warned His followers about them. What is particularly important, and perhaps frequently misunderstood, is how this warning relates to the following verses.
(44:2)
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