Who is Responsible for the Crucifixion?

It would seem something that started shortly after the proclamation of the gospel continues even today. After the apostles were arrested for preaching the gospel, which included His death and resurrection, the Sanhedrin council confronted them, saying, “We strictly charged you not to teach in this name, yet here you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching, and you intend to bring this man's blood upon us" (Acts 5:28). Interesting that the group responsible for taking Jesus to Pilate, asking him to have Christ put to death (John 18:28-31), wanted no reminder of it afterwards.

Peter and the apostles, however, clearly state how it was Christ was crucified. “This Jesus, delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men” (Acts 2:22-23). Yes, the Jewish authorities, out of envy (Mark 15:10), handed Jesus to Pilate, who heard the Jewish crowds cry out for Him to be crucified (Mark 15:13). Pilate acquiesced to their wishes, turning Him over to Roman soldiers, that Jesus’ crucifixion could be carried out (Mark 15:15-37).

Historically, these are the ones who brought Jesus to the cross. But if we understand the purpose of the cross, we know the necessity of the cross is for everyone’s sins. Everyone shares in the burden of the cross, because all have sinned (Rom. 3:23), and all need the cleansing that the death of Christ provides. The sins of the world led Jesus to the cross, and it was His love for us that kept Him there. God’s eternal plan for our sins made the cross necessary, and only in the cross is there hope for eternal life (Col. 1:20).

Scripture has no conflicts about the death of Jesus. God reveals truth, not in the eye of the beholder, but in His word, the Bible. We must put aside our sinful pride and prejudices against His will, and humble ourselves in faithful obedience, if we are to find the cleansing Christ’s blood provides. As Jesus Himself said, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6). It’s time we all listened.

“Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice.”

Robert Johnson