Who Was Responsible for the Crucifixion of Jesus?
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To understand this, we must go back to the beginning. Adam and Eve brought sin and death into the world when they disobeyed the Lord (Genesis 2:16-17; Romans 5:12). As a result, every person is born with a sinful nature and freely chooses to do wrong (Romans 3:23). Everyone deserves eternal punishment for rebelling against God by sinning.
We can do nothing to wash ourselves clean of sin or do enough good things to outweigh the bad we do. In our natural, sinful state, we are without hope.
Because of the plight of humankind, Jesus came into the world. He did not have to come to save us, but He chose to because of His love (Romans 5:8). By adding humanity to His divinity, He was able to enter our world and bear our sins. Through His death on the cross, Christ took our place. As 2 Corinthians 5:21 says, “God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God” (NIV). The punishment we deserve was placed on Him so that He satisfied the wrath of the Father and paid for the sins of all people.
When individuals place faith in Jesus’ death and resurrection, they trust that His shedding of blood on the cross was for them. He died in their place, enduring the punishment they deserve to give them a salvation they do not deserve. Believers know that Christ endured the cross for their wrongdoings.
We could argue that every person is guilty of killing Jesus, even those who were not physically present at the crucifixion. He died for our sins. Without His sacrifice, we would have no hope of salvation or eternal life.
Another aspect of the discussion about Jesus’ death that we must consider is that He was sovereignly in control. He faced many dangerous situations during His ministry in which people wanted to kill Him. Yet, Jesus walked away unharmed because it was not His time (John 7:30).
Jesus clearly stated, “No one can take my life from me. I sacrifice it voluntarily. For I have the authority to lay it down when I want to and also to take it up again. For this is what my Father has commanded” (John 10:18, NLT). This authority was exercised throughout His trial with Pilate. Jesus allowed Pilate to condemn Him, just as He had allowed the Jews to arrest and charge Him (John 19:10-11). He could have prevented these things but did not (see Matthew 26:53).
This does not mean the Jews, religious leaders, or Romans at that time were free from guilt or blame for killing Christ. He mentioned that handing Him over to be put to death was a sin, of which Judas and the religious leaders were found more guilty (John 19:11). Peter also acknowledged this blame during his Pentecost sermon, in which he said that Israel was guilty of putting Jesus, the Messiah, and Lord, to death (Acts 2:36).
We should acknowledge the guilt of those who handed Jesus over to death and crucified Him. However, we also need to remember that Christ freely gave His life. No one overpowered the Lord’s sovereign control over His life. He gave it willingly in love.
The question of who killed Jesus has been the topic of discussion throughout history. Who carries the blame? Although the Jews and Romans of that time were guilty of putting Christ to death, people today also had a part in the crucifixion. Jesus died to pay the penalty for our sins. He took our place, which means our sins also put Him on the cross.
In answering this question, though, we must recognize that Jesus was in control. No one took Jesus’ life from Him. By His authority, He gave it – just as He exercised His power to take it up again at the resurrection.
Photo Credit: iStock/Getty Images Plus/RomoloTavani
