Who Is Responsible for Killing Jesus?
The Catholic Church in 1965, as part of the Vatican II council, published a declaration entitled Nostra Aetate. The declaration presented an answer to the issue of Jewish responsibility for the crucifixion of Jesus. The document stated that modern-day Jews could not be held accountable for Jesus’ crucifixion.
But the Bible is clear that the leaders of the nation of Israel were responsible for Jesus’ death. Matthew 26:3-4 tells us that “the chief priests, and the scribes, and the elders of the people, assembled together to the palace of the high priest, who was called Caiaphas. And they consulted so that they might take Jesus by guile and kill Him.” The Jewish leaders “plotted to put Him (Jesus) to death” (John 11:53) and then asked the Romans to crucify Him (Matthew 27:22-25).
John wrote, “Then the chief priests and the Pharisees gathered a council and said, “What shall we do? For this Man works many signs. If we let Him alone like this, everyone will believe in Him, and the Romans will come and take away both our place and nation. And one of them, Caiaphas, being high priest that year, said to them, “You know nothing at all, nor do you consider that it is expedient for us that one man should die for the people, and not that the whole nation should perish” (John 11:47-50).
The Jews demanded of the Roman authorities, during the rule of Pontius Pilate, to inflict the death penalty on Jesus, “Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus…And they stripped Him and put a scarlet robe on Him. When they had twisted a crown of thorns, they put it on His head, and a reed in His right hand. And they bowed the knee before Him and mocked Him, saying, “Hail, King of the Jews!” Then they spat on Him, and took the reed and struck Him on the head… And when they had come to a place called Golgotha…Then they crucified Him” (Matthew 27:27-37).
Also, the people and citizens of Israel have a part in the crime because they demanded the death of Christ when they shouted, “Crucify Him! Crucify Him!” as He stood on trial before Pilate (Luke 23:21) and asked for the release of Barabbas instead of Jesus (Matthew 27:21). Paul confirmed that “the Jews…killed the Lord, Jesus” (I Thessalonians 2:14-15) and Peter stated the same thing (Acts 2:22,23).
So, the murder of Jesus was a plot carried by the Jewish leaders (Matthew 27:25), Herod (Luke 23:11) the people of Israel (Acts 4:10), Rome – Pontius Pilate (Luke 23:4,13-15,22-23) using the Roman soldiers (John 19:16-18). In addition to those, all the human race is also guilty for killing the Son of God for He had died to pay the penalty of their sins (Romans 5:8; 6:23).
But there is hope for all who wish to repent of their sins. God promised: “And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel” (Genesis 3:15). God offered Jesus as an atonement for the sins of humanity (2 Corinthians 5:21). So, now, anyone who accepts His blood for forgiveness of sin can be reconciled to God, including all those that carry the responsibility for His death (John 1:12).
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In His service,
BibleAsk Team
