Who Put Jesus To Death

Why Did Pontius Pilate Have Jesus Executed?

“What is truth?” Pontius Pilate asks Jesus of Nazareth in the Gospel of John, and Jesus responds with a question. It’s a question that may be raised regarding Pilate’s own personal background as well. According to the New Testament of the Christian Bible, the Roman ruler of Judea was a shaky judge who originally exonerated Jesus before bowing to the will of the multitude and condemned him to death as a result of his actions. Non-Biblical sources, on the other hand, present him as a barbaric commander who wilfully rejected the traditions of the Jewish people under his command.

WATCH: JESUS: A HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE VaultJesus before Pilate, just before he was crucified.

Pilate’s early life is a mystery.

Before his time as Roman governor of Judea, from 26 and 36 A.D., nothing is known about Pilate’s early life and career. While most believe he was born into an equestrian family in Italy, certain tales indicate that he was actually born in the Scottish Highlands. From the Jewish philosopher Philo of Alexandria emerges one of the earliest—and most damning—accounts of Pilate’s reign as governor. Around the year 50 A.D., he denounced the prefect for “briberies, insults, robberies, outrages and wanton injuries, executions without trial, constantly repeated, endless and extremely severe brutality,” among other things.

  • Patterson describes Pilate’s rule as “corrupt and full of bribery.” Patterson is an early Christianity historian at Willamette University and the author of several books, including The Forgotten Creed: Christianity’s Original Struggle Against Bigotry, Slavery, and Sexism.
  • “Philo is a really dramatic writer,” she observes, “and one who has very apparent biases: persons who maintain Jewish rules are documented in highly favorable ways, whereas people who do not uphold Jewish laws are represented in quite bad ways.
  • MORE INFORMATION CAN BE FOUND AT: The Bible asserts that Jesus was a real person.
  • Prior to his crucifixion, Jesus had been tortured, and this was the culmination of that suffering.

Pilate clashed with the Jewish population in Jerusalem.

A pair of golden shields emblazoned with the name of the Roman Emperor Tiberius were allowed into King Herod’s ancient residence in Jerusalem, according to Philo, despite Jewish tradition. Writing more than a half-century later, the Jewish historian Flavius Josephus related a similar story, claiming that Pilate let troops bearing military standards with the likeness of the emperor into Jerusalem, despite Jewish law prohibiting the carrying of images in the holy city. A large number of people journeyed to the Judean city of Caesarea to express their displeasure, and they laid prostrate outside Pilate’s palace for five days until he finally yielded.

This account has the ring of a rookie governor experimenting with his powers and entirely underestimating the depth of local opposition to graven images.

Josephus related another event, this one with a bloodier conclusion, in which Pilate used cash from the Temple treasury to construct an aqueduct to provide water to Jerusalem.

They were successful. When he gave the signal, they withdrew clubs disguised in their clothing and beat many of the demonstrators to death with the clubs they had removed. More information may be found at: Where Is the Head of Saint John the Baptist?

The Gospels portray an indecisive Pilate.

Josephus also referred to Pilate’s well-known role in agreeing to Jesus’ execution, which he had played previously. According to the Gospels, the Sanhedrin, an elite assembly of priestly and lay elders, imprisoned Jesus during the Jewish feast ofPassover, gravely concerned by his teachings. They dragged him before Pilate to be tried for blasphemy, accusing him of claiming to be the King of the Jews, which they claimed was false. And they forced Pilate, the only one with ability to inflict a death sentence, to call for his execution.

According to the Gospel of Mark, Pilate intervened on Jesus’ behalf before caving in to the demands of the crowd.

MORE INFORMATION CAN BE FOUND AT: Inside the Conversion Tactics of the Early Christian Church “Mark’s goal isn’t really historical in nature,” Patterson explains.

Mark blamed the Jewish rulers in Jerusalem for the city’s destruction because the high priests and officials had turned their backs on Jesus when he had arrived in the city.

courtesy of DeAgostini/Getty Images According to the Gospel of Matthew, Pilate washed his hands in front of the multitude before saying, “I am innocent of this man’s blood; see to it yourselves.” The Jewish people shouted in response, “His blood be on us and our children.” It’s a passage that would be used for millennia to persecute the Jewish people.

“If Jesus was causing trouble at a gathering like Passover, when the city was crowded to bursting, I don’t think Pilate would have spent much time worrying about what to do with him.

In the Gospels, the crowd chose the criminal Barabbas over Jesus.

“Scholars have looked for evidence,” Patterson says, and so far “have never found anything in reference to the so-called custom of releasing a prisoner on Passover.” READ MORE:Discovery Shows Early Christians Didn’t Always Take the Bible Literally

Pilate disappears from history after his rule.

Following the use of disproportionate force to quell a suspected Samaritan rebellion, Pilate was dismissed from office and transported back to Rome, according to Josephus and the Roman historian Tacitus. Pilate vanished from the historical record as soon as he arrived in Rome. According to various legends, he was either executed by Emperor Caligula or committed suicide, with his remains being thrown into the Tiber River after his death. In fact, the early Christian author Tertullian said that Pilate had become a disciple of Jesus and had attempted to convert the emperor to Christian beliefs.

A portion of a carved stone with Pilate’s name and title etched in Latin on it was discovered face down in an antique theater, where it had been used as a stair.

According to a November 2018 article in Israel Exploration Journal, improved photography showed Pilate’s name engraved in Greek on a 2,000-year-old copper alloy ring recovered at Herodium, which was previously thought to be a Roman coin.

Who was responsible for Christ’s death? Who killed Jesus?

QuestionAnswer The solution to this question has a number of different sides. In the first place, there is little question that the religious leaders of Israel were directly or indirectly responsible for Jesus’ killing. “The chief priests and the elders of the people convened in the palace of the high priest, whose name was Caiaphas, and they devised a plan to secretly capture Jesus and murder him,” according to Matthew 26:3–4. The Jewish authorities asked that Jesus be put to death from the Romans (Matthew 27:22–25).

  1. (John 11:53).
  2. It was a Roman form of execution approved and carried out by the Romans under the authority of Pontius Pilate, the Roman governor who sentenced Jesus to death on the cross.
  3. The people of Israel were also participants in Jesus’ execution, as was the Roman Empire.
  4. Crucify him!” “Crucify him!” the crowd chanted as He faced trial before Pilate (Luke 23:21).

When Peter told the men of Israel in Acts 2:22–23, he was confirming their suspicions: “You, with the assistance of evil men, put him to death by nailing him on the cross.” As it turned out, the murder of Jesus was part of an elaborate conspiratorial scheme that involved the Roman Empire, Herod’s Jewish leaders, and the Jewish people themselves, a diverse group of people who had never worked together before or since, but who came together this one time to plot and carry out an unthinkable act: the assassination of the only begotten Son of God.

  1. At the end of the day, and maybe quite astonishingly, it was God Himself who executed Jesus.
  2. Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross insured the redemption of untold millions of people and offered the sole means by which God could forgive sin without compromising His holiness and flawless righteousness, which was otherwise impossible.
  3. As opposed to being a win for Satan, or a needless tragedy, as some have indicated, it was the most gracious act of God’s grace and mercy, the greatest manifestation of the Father’s love for sinners.
  4. As the Bible says, “God caused him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that through him, we may become the righteousness of God” (2 Corinthians 5:21).
  5. He died in order to pay the price for our sins (Romans 5:8; 6:23).

He did it this way to serve as a constant reminder to himself and everyone else that it was our faults that condemned Jesus to death on the cross. Questions regarding Jesus Christ (return to top of page) Who was to blame for the killing of Jesus Christ? Who was responsible for Jesus’ death?

Subscribe to the

Get our Question of the Week emailed to your inbox every weekday morning! Got Questions Ministries is a trademark of Got Questions Ministries, Inc., registered in the state of California in the year 2002. All intellectual property rights are retained. Policy Regarding Personal Information The information on this page was last updated on January 4, 2022.

Who is responsible in the crucifixion of Jesus Christ

QUESTION: Who bears the primary responsibility for the crucifixion of Christ? Answer: This subject has been disputed for ages and the discussion continues now – who was the genuine assassin of Jesus Christ. What does the Bible say about this? It is revealed in Matthew 27:22–25 that the Jewish authorities asked that Jesus be crucified. The Romans, on the other hand, were the ones who physically crucified Jesus (Matthew 27:27-37). Who has the ultimate responsibility for the crucifixion of Jesus Christ?

  • Our sins were the cause of His death.
  • But God proves His own love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us, according to the Bible’s verse Romans 5:8.
  • Pilate was the one who inquired.
  • ‘Why?
  • “Crucify him!” they cried out even louder, as if they had something to prove.
  • ‘I am not responsible for this man’s blood,’ he insisted.
  • They stripped him down to his underwear and draped him in a red robe before twisting a crown of thorns together and placing it on his head.
  • ‘Hail, king of the Jews!’ they cried out in jubilation.
  • After they had made fun of him, they stripped him of his robe and dressed him in his own clothing.
  • ” “As they were about to leave, they came upon a man from Cyrene called Simon, whom they compelled to carry the cross for them.
  • They offered Jesus wine laced with gall to drink there, but after tasting it, he refused to take any more from the cup.

After Jesus had been nailed to the cross, they divided his clothing by drawing lots for it. They sat down and kept a close eye on him from that position. A printed indictment against him was placed over his head, which read: THIS IS JESUS, THE KING OF THE JEWISH GENTILES.”

Bible Study: Who Actually Killed Jesus Christ?

INQUIRY: Who bears the primary responsibility for Jesus Christ’s crucifixion? ANSWER:This subject has been argued for years, and the dispute continues today – who was the person who murdered Jesus? Which passages of Scripture do you want to look at? It is revealed in Matthew 27:22–25 that the Jewish authorities asked that Jesus be executed. The Romans, on the other hand, were the ones who executed Jesus on the cross (Matthew 27:27-37). Is it possible to determine who is accountable for the crucifixion of Christ?

  1. His death was brought upon by our misdeeds.
  2. For my sins and your sins, Jesus gave His life in order to pay the punishment for them both.
  3. This is what Matthew 27:22–25 has to say about it: “The question is: ‘What am I to do with Jesus, who is also known as Christ?
  4. It was unanimously agreed upon to be crucified.
  5. The emperor Pilate demanded to know what crime he had done.
  6. He did this in front of the audience because he saw he wasn’t making any progress and that an uproar was brewing.
  7. It was him who said, “I am not responsible for this man’s death.” The onus is on you!’ he says.
See also:  How To Ask Jesus For Forgiveness

A red robe was slung over his shoulders, and then a crown of thorns was woven together and fastened around his neck.

They sang, ‘Hail, king of the Jews!’ They spat on him and then got a rod and repeatedly beat him in the head with it.

Afterwards, they took him away and nailed him to the cross.

This is where they arrived: Golgotha (which means The Place of the Skull).

He was crucified, and when his clothing were split by lot, he was buried.

A printed indictment against him was placed over his head, which read: THIS IS JESUS, THE KING OF THE JEWISH NATIONS.”

Judas Iscariot – Betrayer of Jesus Christ

James Tissot’s painting Judas betraying Jesus with a kiss is available for purchase. Images courtesy of SuperStock / Getty Images Judas Iscariot was one of Jesus Christ’s twelve chosen disciples, and he was betrayed by them. As the group’s treasurer, he was in charge of the money bag that was shared by everyone. While Judas did not have a role in organizing Jesus’ crucifixion, the Bible claims that he betrayed his Master for 30 pieces of silver, which was the usual price paid for a slave at the time.

Judas moved from being one of Jesus’ closest companions to becoming a guy whose firstname has become synonymous with betrayal. Learn more about Judas’ part in Jesus’ death by reading the book of Judas.

Joseph Caiaphas – High Priest of the Jerusalem Temple

James Tissot’s painting Judas betraying Jesus with a kiss. Getty Images and SuperStock He was one of Jesus Christ’s twelve chosen disciples, and he was betrayed by one of them. He was in control of the group’s money bag because he was the treasurer. Judas betrayed his Master for 30 pieces of silver, the typical price paid for a slave, according to Scripture, despite the fact that he had no role in arranging Jesus’ execution. But, as other academics speculate, he did it out of avarice or in order to push the Messiah to defeat the Romans.

Pontius Pilate – Roman Governor of Judea

An illustration shows Pilate washing his hands as he issues orders for Jesus to be flogged and Barabbas to be released from his imprisonment. Eric Thomas / Getty Images Pontius Pilate was the Roman Governor of ancient Israel, and he had tremendous authority over life and death. He was the only one who had the authority to put a criminal to death. However, when Jesus was brought before him for trial, Pilate could not find any justification to sentence him to death. Instead, he cruelly flogged Jesus before handing him over to Herod, who subsequently returned him to the cross.

In order to save themselves, they asked that Jesus be crucified, a tortuous punishment reserved exclusively for the most aggressive of offenders.

Learn more about Pontius Pilate’s role in the death of Jesus by watching the video below.

Herod Antipas – Tetrarch of Galilee

The head of John the Baptist is carried to Herod Antipas by Princess Herodias. Stringer / Getty Images / Archive Photos / Stringer Herod Antipas was a tetrarch, or ruler of Galilee and Perea, who was selected by the Romans to serve as their representative. Due to Jesus’ status as a Galilean, who fell under Herod’s jurisdiction, Pilate sent Jesus to him. Herod had already assassinated the famous prophet John the Baptist, who was also Jesus’ friend and kinsman. Jesus was asked to perform a miracle for Herod, rather than finding the truth about what had happened.

Learn more about Herod’s part in the killing of Jesus by reading this article.

Centurion – Officer in Ancient Rome’s Army

Image courtesy of Giorgio Cosulich and stringer/Getty Images. Centurions were battle-hardened army leaders who were trained to kill with sword and spear under the Roman Empire. Jesus of Nazareth was nailed on the cross by a Roman centurion whose name is not revealed in the Bible. This order changed the course of history. The centurion and the troops under his direction executed the crucifixion of Jesus in a cold and methodical manner, following the commands of Governor Pilate.

“Surely this guy was the Son of God!” he exclaimed as he gazed up at Jesus, who was hanging on the cross. (Mark 15:39 New International Version) Find out more about the role of the Centurion in the death of Jesus.

The Crucifixion of Jesus and the Jews

Images courtesy of Giorgio Cosulich and stringer/Getty Images. Soldiers trained to kill with sword and spear, Roman centurions were battle-hardened army leaders. Jesus of Nazareth was nailed on the cross by a Roman centurion whose name is not mentioned in the Bible. This order changed the course of history. The centurion and the troops under his charge executed the crucifixion of Jesus in a cold and methodical manner, acting on the commands of Governor Pilate. However, when the crime was completed, this guy made a surprising declaration as he looked up at Jesus hanging on the cross: “Surely this man was the Son of God!” New International Version (NIV) of Mark 15:39.

Contributors

Images courtesy of Giorgio Cosulich and stringer/Getty Images Centurions were battle-hardened army officials who were trained to kill with sword and spear in the Roman army. In the Bible, one centurion, whose name is not provided, was given a life-changing order: crucify Jesus of Nazareth. The centurion and the soldiers under his leadership executed the crucifixion of Jesus in a cold and methodical manner, following the commands of Governor Pilate. “Surely this guy was the Son of God!” he exclaimed as he gazed up at Jesus, who was hanging on the cross, after the act had been completed.

Who Killed Jesus?

In 1965, as part of the Second Vatican Council, the Catholic Church issued the much-anticipated proclamation Nostra Aetate, which took a fresh look at the subject of Jewish blame for the execution of Jesus Christ. That modern-day Jews could not be held responsible for Jesus’ crucifixion, and that not all Jews who were alive at the time of Jesus’ execution were guilty of the crime, according to the arguments in the paper. In the history of Christian views toward Jews, this was a significant step forward, as Christian anti-Semitism has long been predicated on the assumption that Jews were responsible for Jesus’ crucifixion.

When Jesus was crucified, they thought that the Church would come out and claim that the Jews had had no role in his execution.

Jews Lacked A Motive for Killing Jesus

Indeed, most historians believe that it would have been more rational to place the responsibility for Jesus’ execution on the Romans. Crucifixion was a common form of punishment among the Romans, not among the Jews. At the time of Jesus’ execution, the Romans were enforcing a harsh and ruthless occupation on the Land of Israel, and the Jews had been rebellious at times throughout the occupation. The Romans would have had good cause to desire to silence Jesus, who had been dubbed “King of the Jews” by some of his disciples and was well-known as a Jewish upstart miracle worker at the time of his death.

The many factions of the Jewish society at the period — including the Pharisees, Sadducees, Essenes, and others — had numerous differences with one another, but none of the organizations orchestrated the death of the leaders of the other purportedly heretical sects.

READ: The History of the Land of Israel Under Roman Control Nonetheless, the notion that Jews murdered Jesus can be found in Christian foundational literature dating back to the early days of the Jesus movement, and it is unlikely that it will be readily abandoned simply because of historians’ arguments.

The New Testament Account

The notion that Jews assassinated Jesus is parodied in this 1896 cartoon, which substitutes Uncle Sam for the historical figure. (Image courtesy of Wikimedia Commons) “The Jews who killed the Lord, Jesus,” Paul writes in his writings, which are considered by historians to be the earliest works of the New Testament (written 10 to 20 years after Jesus’ death), and he addresses them very briefly: “the Jews who slaughtered the Lord, Jesus” (I Thessalonians 2:14-15). While the idea that the Jews bear primary responsibility for Jesus’ death is not central to Paul’s understanding of Jesus’ life and death, the idea that the Jews bear primary responsibility for Jesus’ death is more prominent in the four gospels, Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, each of which presents a slightly different account of Jesus’ life.

Eventually, the high priest comes to the conclusion that Jesus is guilty of blasphemy and petitions the Jewish council for guidance on how to punish him.

Matthew’s account of Jesus’ suffering and death on the cross (referred to by Christians as “Jesus’ “passion”) has served as the inspiration for numerous books, plays, and musical compositions over the years, and it is a prominent part of Christian liturgy, particularly during the celebration of Easter.

It is said that Pontius Pilate, the Roman ruler of Judea, was fundamentally sympathetic to Jesus, but that he was unable to overcome the pressure from the Jews, who demanded that Jesus be put to death.

When Pilate arrives, the gathering members of the Jewish community tell him, “His blood be on us and on our children,” which is the most contentious verse in all of the passion accounts (Matthew 27:25).

Church Fathers and Thereafter

An etching from 1845 portraying King Herod and Pontius Pilate exchanging handshakes. (Photo by F.A. Ludy courtesy of Wellcome Images/Wikimedia Commons) With even more clarity and power, this allegation emerges in the works of the Church Fathers, who are considered to be the most authoritative Christian theologians who lived after the New Testament period. After explaining to his Jewish interlocutor why the Jews had experienced exile and the destruction of their Temple, Justin Martyr (mid-second century) concludes that these “tribulations were justly placed on you since you have assassinated the Just One” (Jesus Christ).

  • A historical King Solomon addresses the Jews in “The Mystery of Adam,” a religious drama from the 12th century that prophesies that they would eventually slay the son of God, as depicted in the play.
  • This statement is subject to verification.
  • The masters of the law will be the ones who do this.
  • They’ll descend from a tremendous height, and may they be comforted in their bereaved state of affairs.

In recent times, passion plays — large-scale outdoor theater events that dramatize the end of Jesus’ life and frequently feature hundreds of actors — have continued to spread this notion, as have other forms of religious expression.

In the Talmud

It’s worth noting that the notion that the Jews assassinated Jesus may be found in Jewish religious literature as well. Against the evidence of theBabylonian Talmud, on folio 43a of tractateSanhedrin, aberaita (a doctrine dating back to before the year 200 C.E.) says that Jesus was executed by a Jewish tribunal for the crimes of sorcery and insurrection. For this reason, there is a blank area near the bottom of that folio in normal Talmuds from Eastern Europe — or in American Talmuds that simply copied from them — since the possibly offending text has been omitted.

  • This section has been restored in a number of recent Talmudic versions.) When the Talmud claims that the incident occurred on the eve of Passover, it follows the timeline given in the gospel of John, which is supported by historical evidence.
  • Responsibility for the killing of Jesus is also given to the Jews in Jewish folk literature, such as the popular scurrilous Jewish biography of Jesus,Toledot Yeshu (which may be as old as the fourth century), and in Christian folk fiction.
  • From the first through the nineteenth century, the degree of hostility between Jews and Christians was such that both parties believed the accusation that the Jews were responsible for the death of Jesus.
  • People who believe the tales of the New Testament (or of the Talmud) to be credible historical sources should not be shocked if this belief prevails.
See also:  What Happened To Jesus On Holy Saturday

Join Our Newsletter

Encourage your Jewish exploration on a daily basis.

Who Was Responsible for the Death of Jesus?

The subject of who bears blame for Jesus’ death has been debated for centuries. Who is to blame for the heinous act of crucifying and murdering Jesus? Actually, there are a lot of different persons who should be held accountable. The Religious Leaders of the Jewish People Were to Blame The religious leaders of the Jewish people have a portion of the responsibility. They were enraged by Jesus for no apparent reason. Their animosity drove them to arrest Jesus, locate false witnesses, and then convict him of the crime for which he was arrested.

  • Then they all rose to their feet and marched him into the presence of Pilate.
  • Pontius Pilate was the one who did it.
  • As he explained to Jesus, Pilate held the ability to either free or crucify the Messiah.
  • “Can you tell me where you’re from?” he inquired of Jesus, but received no response.
  • Pilate made the statement.
  • (See also John 19:8-10.) Jesus Was Not Guilty of Any Crime As a result, Pilate did not accept the Sanhedrin’s conclusion that Jesus was guilty of any crime.
  • “Look, I’m bringing him out to you to let you know that I have found no foundation for laying a complaint against him,” Pilate said to the Jews once more (John 19:4).

Finally, Pilate gave him over to them so that he might be executed.

The entire human race was to blame for this.

The punishment for all of our misdeeds was laid on the shoulders of Jesus.

However, while the immediate responsibility should be put with the Jewish religious leaders and Pontius Pilate, the actual culpability should be placed where it belongs: with all of us.

Blame can be properly assigned to both the Jewish religious authorities and Pontius Pilate in this situation.

In the end, though, the entire human species must be held responsible for the situation. Jesus died on the cross at Calvary in order to atone for our transgressions against God. Therefore, we were all jointly and severally culpable for his death.

Pontius Pilate

Pontius Pilate was a Roman governor who served under Tiberius the Great during the first century AD. His most well-known role is that of the judge in Jesus’ trial.

Who Was Pontius Pilate?

Pontius Pilate is thought to have originated from the Samnium area of central Italy, where he was imprisoned. Pontius Pilate was the governor of Judaea from 26 to 36 A.D. throughout his reign. He accused Jesus of treason and said that Jesus considered himself to be the King of the Jews, and he ordered Jesus’ execution. Pilate died in the year 39 A.D. The exact cause of his death has not been determined. His presence was proved by an item discovered in 1961.

Prefect of Judea

Pontius Pilate was appointed prefect of the Roman provinces of Judaea, Samaria, and Iduma by the Roman Emperor Tiberius in 26 A.D., although Pilate is best remembered for his leadership of the Roman province of Judaea. While the average tenure for a Roman prefect was one to three years, Pilate was to keep his position as the fifth Roman procurator for a period of ten years, which was unprecedented at the time. Pontius Pilate became the successor of Valerius Gratus when he assumed his position.

His responsibilities as a prefect included routine activities like as tax collecting and project management for building projects.

Pontius Pilate made every effort to achieve this goal by whatever means necessary.

Jesus’ Crucifixion

Pontius Pilate, as governor of Judaea, was confronted with a clash of interests between the Roman Empire and the Sanhedrin, the Jewish religious council. When Pontius inquired as to whether Jesus was the King of the Jews, he asserted that Jesus had accepted the title, which he never had done. The Roman authority regarded this claim as treasonous and prosecuted the accuser accordingly. Pontius Pilate, according to some historians, worked in collaboration with Jewish officials, who considered Jesus’ claim to authority as a political danger, when it came to pursuing Jesus.

All four of the Gospels portray him as a weak man who eventually caves in to the Jewish rulers’ demand to put Jesus on the cross.

Only Matthew 27:24 describes Pontius Pilate as refusing to participate in Jesus’ crucifixion: “So when Pilate saw that he was gaining nothing, but rather that a riot was beginning, he took water and washed his hands in front of the crowd, saying, “I am innocent of this man’s blood; see to it yourselves,” he said.

INRI was a Latin abbreviation for Jesus’ given name as well as his title as King of the Jews. Some feel that the term was intended to be sarcastic, in order to criticize Jesus for his lofty assertion.

Mysterious Death

The circumstances surrounding Pontius Pilate’s death, which occurred about 39 A.D., remain a mystery and a matter of debate. According to some legends, the Roman emperor Caligula ordered Pontius Pilate’s death by execution or suicide, which was carried out. According to some stories, Pontius Pilate was exiled and eventually committed suicide of his own free will. Some stories hold that after committing himself, his body was thrown into the Tiber River, which is where he is buried. Others, on the other hand, feel that Pontius Pilate’s destiny was tied to his conversion to Christianity and his canonization.

Whatever happened to Pontius Pilate in the end, one thing has been established: that he was a real person who lived in the first century A.D.

Antonio Frova discovered a piece of limestone etched with Pontius Pilate’s name in Latin, establishing a link between Pilate and Emperor Tiberius’ reign in the city.

Romans are to blame for death of Jesus

Among religious specialists and laypeople alike, the soon-to-be-released Mel Gibson film “The Passion of the Christ” is causing quite a commotion in the media. Many people believe the film contains anti-Semitic implications. Although the Jews are often believed to have been involved in Jesus’ death, according to Dr. Frank K. Flinn of Washington University in St. Louis’ department of religious studies, the Romans are truly to blame for the death of Jesus. Frank Flinn is a songwriter and musician from the United Kingdom.

“Crucifications could only be authorized by the Roman authorities, and they frequently did so on a brutal, mass scale.” In the opinion of Flinn, an expert on Catholicism, Gibson’s film appears to merge all of the gospel stories about the Passion into one epic, a made-for-the-big-screen story that fails to show how opinions about the Jews’ role in the crucifixion have changed dramatically over time, as has been shown in other films about the Passion.

  • The author points out that our oldest accounts of the crucifixion, such as the Gospel of Mark, which was written about 60-70 C.E., make it apparent that Pilate was the one who ordered Christ’s execution.
  • “Matthew, most likely as a result of inter-Jewish competition, places the ultimate responsibility fully on the shoulders of the Jewish leadership,” Flinn explained.
  • When it came to Jewish persecution and murder throughout the Middle Ages, the label “Christ-killers” became a rhetorical club to legitimize the ghettoization, persecution, and slaughter of Jews.
  • A Guide to Taking in the Show Mel Gibson’s next film Written by Frank K.
  • In his books The Jewish War and Jewish Antiquities, Josephus, the Jewish historian, records several incidents.
  • Only the Roman authorities had the authority to order crucifixions, and they did it on a brutal and enormous scale on a regular basis.
  • The first Galilean disciples of Jesus regarded him as a prophet similar to Elijah, who wandered the Galilean hills healing the sick and reviving the dead, as did the prophet Elijah.
  • Sadducees and Pharisees were among the Jewish leaders who owed their positions to their patron-client relationship with the Roman authorities (note the word “some”).
  • In addition to the teachers and prophets in rural Galilee and the Dead Sea Scrolls community at Qumran, other Jewish groups and individuals either rejected or rebelled against the corrupt relationship between Jerusalem and Rome.
  • Along with the Temple tax, this tax was collected for Rome by the Temple officials, who distributed it to tax farmers.
  • Due to the annual ordinance of Jubilee, it should have been possible for the rich in Jerusalem to restore this territory to the original tribes, but they failed to do so.

According to Leviticus 19:4, “render unto Caesar” means “return to Caesar” his own coin with Caesar’s image on it (a blasphemy to the pious Jew!) and “return to God” what is God’s, which is the land itself, which God ultimately owns and which God gave directly to Israel in the covenant (Joshua 24:13)!” The message of Jesus was both spiritually and politically dangerous, first to the Roman rulers and then, secondary, to their client appointees in Jerusalem, who were first threatened by it.

  • The Gospel of Mark, the earliest Gospel we know, was written between 60 and 70 CE.
  • Matthew and Luke were written considerably later, in the year 80-95, and show a wide range of interests and points of view.
  • Aside from his status as a Jewish disciple of Jesus (Antioch being the site of the first use of the term “Christian”), Matthew also comments on the era following the fall of Jerusalem in 70 CE, when tensions broke out between rabbinic Yavneh Jews and Jewish followers of Jesus.
  • It’s possible that the rabbis weren’t all that successful.
  • (I constantly point out to my pupils that a Christian may attend any Jewish Sabbath service and participate fully in all of the prayers with complete religious commitment.) Matthew goes to great lengths to disassociate himself from the actions of the Roman authority.
  • Perhaps as a result of intra-Jewish competition, the phrase “His blood be upon us and our offspring” is added to place the ultimate responsibility squarely on the shoulders of the Jewish leadership (Matthew 24:25).
  • The Gospel of Luke and the Book of Acts should be read together as a single piece of literature.
See also:  What Is Jesus Original Name

We can now use the name “Christian,” which appears for the first time in Acts 11:26, but the term was probably definitely coined as a derogatory slur in its original context.

Against the backdrop of Roman criticism, Luke is attempting to defend Christianity against the charge of “superstition” leveled against it.

The paragraphs about Jesus being crowned with thorns and being mocked have been omitted.

“But Jesus hedelivered over to theirwill,” says Luke, elaborating on Pilate’s guilt (Luke 23:26).

In its present form (ca.

100-110 CE) is that John does not place the blame for Jesus’ death solely on Pilate, or Pilate’s Jewish authorities, or even the Jewish authorities alone, but on “Jews” collectively (John 19:12).

The stage is laid for the later, tragic accusation that “the Jews murdered Jesus,” despite the fact that John does not state so explicitly.

It was not until after Constantine established a complete break with Judaism as such that the term “Christ-killers” was coined to describe these individuals.

Bishop John Chrysostom of Constantinople (ca.

By the Middle Ages, the label “Christ-killers” had evolved into a linguistic club used to legitimize the ghettoization, persecution, and death of Jews around the world, particularly in Europe.

My argument establishes a chronological order for determining who was responsible for Jesus’ killing, as well as the appropriate terminology for each stage: Romans Leaders of the Romans and Jews The High Priest, the Scribes, and the Elders/Romans Chief Priest, Scribes, Elders, and the general populace/Pilate (sort of) Jews are a group of people who live in a community that is surrounded by other Jews (in general) “Stiff-necked Individuals” “Christ-killers.” According to what I’ve read about Mel Gibson’s movie in published accounts, it appears to be similar to many other films about Jesus in that it combines all of the gospel tales about the passion into a single narrative.

As I’ve demonstrated above, the multiple gospels express quite different messages.

This makes it seem eerily similar to the infamous traditional Catholic Oberammergau Passion Play in Germany, which was in its original form grossly stereotyped and anti-Semitic in its content.

Most crucially, the inclination in virtually all Christian interpretations of Jesus’ death is to adopt as one’s frame of reference, not the first phrase in the sequence I listed above, but the last term in the series. But, to be fair, we’ll have to wait till the film is out before we can find out.

Who Is to Blame for Jesus’ Death?

The crucified person was Jesus of Nazareth, commonly known as the Christ. As a result of the investigation, His death occurred on Friday, April 3, AD 33, during a period in which Israel was conquered and persecuted by Rome. Before His death, Jesus had 12 disciples who traveled across the country preaching and teaching about the Kingdom of God. Moreover, you are aware that God anointedJesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit as well as with authority. Then Jesus went about doing good and curing everyone who was plagued by the demon, for God was with him while he did it all (Acts 10:38).

Some Blame Judas

Judas Iscariot has been held responsible for the killing of Jesus for a long time. We know from the Scriptures that he was on the lookout for opportunities to betray Jesus. After kissing Jesus’ lips, Judas conspired with the soldiers to arrest Jesus and betray Him. “What are you ready to offer me in exchange for my delivering him up to you?” demanded one of the Twelve — the one known as Judas Iscariot — when he approached the chief priests. As a result, they counted out thirty pieces of silver for him.

Judas Iscariot, one of the Twelve, made his appearance.

A signal had been established between them by the betrayer: “The one I kiss is the man; take him into custody.” Judas immediately approached Jesus and shouted, “Greetings, Rabbi!” before kissing him.

Then the men came forward, grabbed Jesus, and took him into custody (Matthew 26:47-50).

Some Blame the Jews

Many Jewish people have been persecuted and even slain as a result of their association with the “Christ-killer,” as some have dubbed them. Was it the belief that an entire people group was culpable for the killing of Jesus that led to this belief? The passage might have been derived from Matthew 27:1-2, 20, and 22-25. “What am I supposed to do with Jesus, who is referred to as the Messiah?” Pilate was the one who inquired. “Crucify him!” they said unanimously. “Why? “Can you tell me what offense he has committed?” Pilate inquired.

When Pilate saw that he was going nowhere and that an uproar was erupting instead, he drank some water and washed his hands in front of the audience to calm himself down.

“It is your duty!” says the speaker.

Alternatively, it might be derived from the careless tone with which Paul expressed himself in1.

They are displeasing to God and unfriendly to everyone around them. A large number of Jewish individuals were involved in the events that led to Jesus’ murder. However, many does not imply every.

  • The disciples were all Jewish, and only 11 of them were involved in the story. Neither Mary nor the other women who followed Jesus were of Jewish descent, and they played no part in the story. And then there’s Joseph of Arimathea, who was one of the Jewish religious leaders who opposed Jesus’ murder and was executed as a result.

Because of Jesus’ death, the Jews have no responsibility or are not to be blamed.

Some Blame the Religious Leaders

It’s true that the religious leaders were concerned about Jesus’s safety. For the simple reason that they held control over their people and the advantages that they had obtained from the Roman authority

  • They would lose control over the people if they adopted Jesus’ teachings. They would lose their privileges from the government if they were to lose their control over the populace.

Despite the fact that murder was against the law of Moses, they had obvious motivations. The chief priests and the entire Sanhedrin were on the lookout for false proof against Jesus in order to condemn him to death, and they found none (Matthew 26:59). The top priests and professors of the law devised a plan to capture and assassinate Jesus in secret and then execute him (Mark 14:1). The high priest then tore his robes and said, “He has uttered blasphemy! What is the point of having any more witnesses?

  1. “What are your thoughts?” “He is deserving of death,” they said in response (Matthew 26:65-66).
  2. Consequently, they chained him up, carried him away, and gave him over to Governor Pilate (Matthew 27:1-2).
  3. There were religious leaders who advocated for Jesus’ death, but not all of them did so.
  4. Many religious leaders had a role in Jesus’ execution, yet they are not to be held guilty for his killing.

Some Blame Caiaphas

Because we can’t hold the entire group of religious leaders responsible, some people point the finger at their leader, Caiaphas, the high priest. Those who had arrested Jesus brought him before Caiaphas the high priest, where a gathering of teachers of the law and elders had gathered to hear him (Matthew 26:57). Caiaphas was not only a religious leader, but he also had considerable authority over civil law. His authority, on the other hand, was granted exclusively at the discretion of the Romans who reigned over him.

Caiaphas was not held guilty for the execution of Jesus as a result of a Roman oversight.

Some Blame the Romans

Because of the manner in which Jesus was executed, some believe it is logical to hold the Romans responsible for His killing. The Roman authorities enforced the practice of crucifixion. “Take him yourself, and judge him according to your own law,” Pilate declared. “However, we do not have the authority to execute someone,” they said. This occurred in order to fulfill what Jesus had spoken regarding the type of death he would suffer (John 18:31-32). Once again, we have the entire “people group” thing going on.

Some Blame Pilate

Pilate must be held accountable because of the authority he possessed, right? “Can you tell me where you’re from?” he inquired of Jesus, but received no response. “Do you refuse to talk to me?” says the narrator.

Pilate made the statement. “Don’t you know that I have the ability to either release you or crucify you?” says the villain. (See also John 19:9-10.) Pilate issued the order for Jesus’ crucifixion, although he is not held guilty for His death on the cross.

Who Is Really to Blame?

One person had the death of Jesus meticulously planned out in advance. He responded to those who came to capture him by saying, “Do you believe that I will not be able to call on my Father, and he would immediately place at my disposal more than twelve legions of angels?” “How, therefore, would the Scriptures be fulfilled, which state that it must take place in this manner?” (Matthew 26:53-55; Mark 12:53-55). If you didn’t have authority over me since it was given to you from on high, you would have no power over me, Jesus said when Pilate threatened him (John 19:11).

“It is not taken away from me; rather, I choose to lay it down on my own.

It was my Father who gave me this instruction” (John 10:18).

The death of Jesus was the culmination of a meticulous plan devised by God Himself.

God, on the other hand, proves his own love for us in this way: Christ died for us while we were yet sinners (Romans 5:8).

Image courtesy of iStock/Getty Images Plus/ronniechua Author, coach, and speaker Danielle Bernock is a multi-award-winning worldwide author, coach, and speaker who specializes in empowering individuals to accept their worth and heal their souls through the power of God’s love.

Danielle has been a committed disciple of Christ for many years.

For additional information or to get in touch with Danielle, please visit her website.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.