The answer is: He had made himself the Son of God

John 19:7 - The Jews considered the adoption of this title as blasphemy.

The tension between Jesus and the religious leaders of His time was more than just a minor disagreement. Jesus’ declaration of being the “Son of God” ruffled a lot of feathers. In Jewish thought, claiming divine sonship implied equality with God; this was at the core of their faith, and any perceived affront to that was serious business. Blasphemy carried extreme consequences—much like a major scandal in today’s society, where reputations can be destroyed in an instant.

The phrase “Son of God” evokes rich biblical imagery. It harks back to the Old Testament; for instance, Psalm 2:7 says, "You are my Son; today I have begotten you." This messianic prophecy hinted at a future figure, which gave Jesus’ role a deeper meaning when He admitted to this identity. The innovation in His claim wasn’t just about sonship, though—there was also an implication of a new way to relate to God that challenged established ideas.

Intriguingly, the trial and eventual condemnation of Jesus sparked a spark that would light a wildfire of thought around divine love and grace, reshaping people's understanding of God forever. Against this backdrop of ancient texts, anecdotes, and beliefs, we see that man's complex relationship with the divine was central to the narrative that would redefine spirituality for generations to come. Rather than closing doors with His claims, Jesus opened windows to a broader way of understanding humanity’s placement in the divine plan.