Who Killed Jesus?

The Jewish Authorities

One of the facts is that the Jewish leaders wanted Jesus dead. Jesus had confronted various groups on issues of legalism and favoritism. Jesus promoted showing the love of God to all of the people, including those deemed as sinners or outcasts of Jewish society.

As a result, these various sects were plotting to kill Him. The group most recognized as challenging Jesus was the Pharisees. The Pharisees were a strict sect devoted to preserving the traditions of Judaism while Israel was occupied by Roman forces. Jesus often confronted the Pharisees on their treatment of outcasts in society.

Jesus was ultimately arrested for causing unrest in the Temple Courts. The Chief Priests and teachers of the Law were responsible for arresting Jesus. The charges against Jesus were essentially blasphemy, not following Jewish doctrine, and conspiracy against the government. The Jewish leaders convicted Jesus of these crimes but were placed in a dilemma. The crimes demanded an execution but because they were under Roman occupation they could not carry out the execution themselves.

The Jewish authorities needed to convince someone of authority to execute Jesus. First, they approached Herod but he did not want the political fallout of killing Jesus and sent Jesus back to the Jews. The second option was the Roman government. The Romans had both the authority and the ability to carry out executions. The Jews were forced to use the Romans to execute Jesus.

The Roman Authorities

The Jewish leadership convicted Jesus and approached the Roman governor Pontius Pilate to have Jesus executed. Pilate questioned Jesus and came up with the conclusion that there was no charge against Jesus. Pilate ordered that Jesus be flogged. Flogging was a severe beating with rods and a device called a scourge. Many individuals never survived these beatings.

Following the flogging Pilate offered the people a choice of a prisoner to set free. The people were offered Jesus or a criminal named Barabas. The crowds chose to free Barabas and execute Jesus. Pilate gives the orders and Jesus is taken to Golgotha to be crucified.

The Crucifixion

Jesus was taken to Golgotha, the place of the skull, for execution. The Romans used Golgotha for several purposes. The Romans used Golgotha for a garbage dump and took refuse there for disposal. The second purpose of Golgotha was an open grave. The Romans disposed of the bodies homeless or executed criminals. There would have been a large number of skulls lying in the open. One of the main reasons the place was called Golgotha. The third purpose of Golgotha was a place of execution.

The Jewish leaders approved the execution of Jesus and the Romans carried out the task. Who was responsible for the death of Jesus? The answer might surprise many. Neither the Romans nor the Jews were responsible for the death of Jesus.

Peter gives us the true answer in his first letter to the church. For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. (1Peter 3:18) Jesus died because of the existence of sin. He died to redeem the lives of sinners. Jesus died for those who were far away from God. Who killed Jesus? Every person living and dead, you and I, are ultimately responsible for the death of Jesus.