From the beginning of Jesus' public ministry, certain Pharisees and partisans of Herod together with priests and scribes agreed together to destroy him.[317] Because of certain acts of his expelling demons, forgiving sins, healing on the sabbath day, his novel interpretation of the precepts of the Law regarding purity, and his familiarity with tax collectors and public sinners[318]--some ill-intentioned persons suspected Jesus of demonic possession.[319] He is accused of blasphemy and false prophecy, religious crimes which the Law punished with death by stoning.[320]