Those who OFTEN represented the evil were, sadly, those who were the religious leaders of the people.  Remember that it was the RELIGIOUS leaders of the Jews who were seeking to arrest Jesus.  Their religious beliefs did not transform them at all.


Religious beliefs ALONE do not transform people.  Note the numerous wars that Catholics waged upon each other [100 Years War between England and France].  Numerous wars in Catholic/Christian Europe.  Transformation comes from SERIOUSLY internalizing Jesus' message, LIVING it daily.  And it means DEMONSTRATING it in daily life.  We have plenty of example from Paul, after his conversion.  BEFORE that, Saul was an excellent observer of the LAW----and he was murderous.  AFTER his conversion---he reached out to others---accepted the sacrifice entailed in preaching the Gospel---and DEMONSTRATING his fidelity to Christ.