The response to Jesus during His earthly ministry and beyond is a multifaceted topic that encompasses a wide range of reactions from various groups and individuals. These responses are documented throughout the New Testament and provide insight into the diverse perceptions and attitudes toward Jesus as the Messiah, teacher, and Son of God.

1. The Disciples:

The disciples of Jesus, particularly the Twelve Apostles, responded to His call with immediate obedience and commitment. In Matthew 4:19-20 , Jesus calls Peter and Andrew, saying, "Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men." Their response was immediate: "And at once they left their nets and followed Him." This pattern of immediate and total commitment is seen throughout the Gospels, as the disciples left their previous lives to follow Jesus.

2. The Crowds:

The general populace often responded to Jesus with amazement and curiosity. His teachings and miracles drew large crowds, as seen in Matthew 7:28-29 : "When Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were astonished at His teaching, because He taught as one who had authority, and not as their scribes." The miracles, such as the feeding of the 5,000 (John 6:1-14), further fueled their interest, though not always leading to genuine faith.

3. The Religious Leaders:

The religious leaders, including the Pharisees and Sadducees, largely responded with skepticism, hostility, and opposition. They questioned His authority and sought to trap Him in His words (Matthew 22:15-18). Their response culminated in plotting His death, as recorded in John 11:53 : "So from that day on they plotted to kill Him."

4. The Skeptics and Doubters:

Some individuals responded with doubt and skepticism. Thomas, one of the Twelve, famously doubted Jesus' resurrection until he saw the risen Christ himself (John 20:24-29). Jesus addressed Thomas's doubt by inviting him to touch His wounds, leading to Thomas's declaration, "My Lord and my God!" (John 20:28).

5. The Believers:

Many responded to Jesus with faith and acceptance. The Samaritan woman at the well recognized Him as the Messiah and shared her testimony with her community, leading many to believe (John 4:39-42). Similarly, the centurion at the crucifixion declared, "Truly this was the Son of God!" (Matthew 27:54).

6. The Political Authorities:

The political authorities, such as Herod and Pilate, responded with a mix of curiosity, indifference, and political expediency. Herod was eager to see Jesus perform a miracle (Luke 23:8), while Pilate, despite finding no fault in Him, ultimately succumbed to the pressure of the crowd and authorized His crucifixion (John 19:12-16).

7. The Gentiles:

The response of the Gentiles is notably positive in several instances. The Magi from the East recognized Jesus' kingship and worshiped Him (Matthew 2:1-12). Later, the Apostle Paul would become a key figure in spreading the Gospel to the Gentile world, as seen in Acts 13:46-48 , where many Gentiles rejoiced and believed.

8. The Post-Resurrection Response:

After Jesus' resurrection, the response of His followers was one of renewed faith and bold proclamation. The early church grew rapidly as the apostles preached the risen Christ, as recorded in Acts 2:41 : "Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day."

The varied responses to Jesus throughout His ministry and beyond highlight the profound impact of His life and teachings. These responses continue to resonate through history, shaping the faith and lives of countless individuals.