John 9: Expulsion from the synagogue for confessing Jesus as Christ — evidence of persecution even during Jesus's ministry

John 9:22 records that Jewish leaders had already agreed to expel anyone who confessed Jesus as the Messiah. The man born blind (healed by Jesus) is cast out in 9:34 after declaring what Jesus did. Mike notes this shows persecution was already present during the ministry of Christ and intensified after the resurrection proclamation began.