2Thick said:
If those values were so great, why did he make sure to separate himself from them? Why did those same Jews with those same values kill Jesus?
Jesus was preaching "Jew first, roman subject" second.
Some Jews had develoepd a decent lifestyle due to a comfortable relationship with Rome (Jewish knowldgeof trade routes and the area made them somewhat valuable to Rome)
Because the Jews resisted so fiercely Rome agreed to give them limited abaility to porsper. So long as they gave Rome fealty, Rome let them be, for the most part.
Rome was using the classic colonial "divide and conquer" trick - give some Jews power over others, and they will never unite against us. (Rome). Jews with power had a decent lifestyle for a conquered people and didn't want to lose it.
Jesus was trying to tell Jews to be Jews first, not in bed with Rome. This was at the heart of the shnanigans in the temple, which ultimately got him killed. Those jews that Rome allowed to prosper were not about to let a growing movment threaten their stature.