The Jewish leaders had denied Jesus during his ministry, they had denied him when he performed miracles in front of their eyes, they had him crucified, he was buried and now God has raised him from the dead and still they refuse to accept him.  Instead of opening their eyes to the work of God their hearts remained harden to the truth and their iniquity deepen.  After God had raised him from the dead there could have been no denying who he was but the Jewish leaders were more concerned with losing their power than admitting the truth.  To admit to who Jesus was would mean the end of their hold on the religious establishment of the Jewish people because the sacrifice of Jesus put an end to the Old Testament laws and the priesthood.  How foolish there were to think they can stop the work of God.  In a few years the temple would be destroyed and the Jewish people scattered.  The will of God will come to pass and mankind is not going to stop God from performing his will.  No matter how powerful the atheist get in this country they are powerless to stop the will of God.