Jesus claimed to be God by calling Himself the Son of God when He preached to the Jewish public. They called it blasphemy which deserved death according to their law given by Moses. They failed to recognize that Jesus is the Christ of the Scriptures.

The Devil started prompting the people to kill Jesus. They came up with many accusations against Him as a justification to murder Him.

First, they said He must be killed because He had violated the sabbath regulation by healing a man (who had an infirmity that kept him in bed immobilised for thirty-eight years). Therefore did the Jews persecute Jesus, and sought to slay Him, because He had done these things on the sabbath day. – John 5:15.

Second, He called God His Father, thus equating Himself with God. Therefore, the Jews sought the more to kill Him, because He not only had broken the sabbath, but said also that God was His Father, making Himself equal with God. – John 5:18; I and my Father are one. – John 10:30. They did not recognize Jesus as God in flesh. His words had no place in them. – John 8:37.

Third, they said He was a Samaritan (untouchable man of the lowest caste), that He had the devil in Him and that He was mad. – John 7:20; 8:48, 52; 10:20.

Fourth, they were afraid of forfeiting their authority vested to them by the Romans. The Romans shall come and take away both our place and nation. – John 11:48.

Fifth, thy were envious of Him because many Jews started believing on Jesus and started following Him leaving behind the Jewish Rabbis and Pharisees. Among the believers were many chief rulers (officers / authorities) too. Behold, the world is gone after Him. – John 12:19.