Rending one"s garments expressed indignation or grief (cf. Genesis 37:29; Judges 14:19; 2 Kings 18:37). It had become the high priest"s traditional response to blasphemy (cf. Acts 14:14). [1] However it was illegal for the high priest to rend his garments ( Leviticus 21:10). The hypocrisy of the religious leaders is clear throughout their trial of Jesus. The Jews regarded blasphemy as any serious affront to God, not just speech that reviled Him (cf. Mark 2:7 : Mark 3:28-29; John 5:18; John 10:33). At this time, blasphemy consisted of claiming for oneself a unique association with God, reflected in sitting at God"s right hand, not just misusing God"s name. [2] The Mosaic Law prescribed death by stoning for blasphemers ( Leviticus 24:14), but this was not bad enough for Jesus. Jesus had foreseen this and had predicted death at the hands of the Gentiles as well as the Jews ( Mark 10:33). [source][source][source]