The Jewish people have often been associated with the expression “Christ killers” and time and again been persecuted by misguided zealots and racists. The murder of Jesus actually involved a cast of characters.
- The Chief Priests and Pharisees (Sanhedrin) who formed a secret council and plotted to put Jesus to death (cf. John 11:47-50, 53).
- Caiaphas, the corrupt High Priest and leader of the Sanhedrin.
- Judas Iscariot, who betrayed Jesus to the Chief Priests and Pharisees.
- The people of Israel, who cried out with blood lust “Crucify Him!” (cf. Luke 23:23; John 19:6, 15a).
- Pontius Pilot, the Roman Governor who issued the death sentence (cf. John 19: 15b-16).
- Herod Antipas, the “king of the Jews”, who colluded with Pontius Pilot (cf. Luke 23:11).
- The Roman soldiers (Gentiles) who tore the flesh from His back, mocked Him, carried out His crucifixion and pierce His side with a spear (cf. Matthew 27:27-35; John 19:34).
The conspiracy to murder Jesus was vast, with a diverse cast of characters, some of which had intense rivalry with one another. This cast, until this moment, had rarely worked together. This is the only moment in history where these disparate factions, in a corporate act of humanity, would work together to murder the Son of God. The Jews were no more or less blameworthy than the Gentiles and all bear the guilt together. In a prayer offered by the early Church, this was plainly stated in Acts 4:27 “for truly in this city there were gathered together against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, along with the Gentiles and the peoples of Israel”.
However, this cast of characters does not exhaust the truth behind who murdered Jesus. Again and again, throughout all of the Old Testament and from as far back as eternity past, God ordained that His Son, Jesus Christ, should die. The prophecy of Isaiah 53 expresses that it would even please the Father to bruise Him and put Him to death. Why? To make His soul an offering for sin (cf. Isa 53:10). This was God’s redemption plan for fallen man. God was pleased by the redemption accomplished. His eternal plan of salvation was fulfilled by the sacrifice of His Son so others might have eternal life; His love for sinners through a majestic sacrifice.
That God had foreknown and foreordained that Jesus would be crucified does not exonerate anyone of responsibility who contributed to His death. These things were predestined by God, yet the human beings who did them were morally “lawless”. We may not understand how the will of our sovereign God can be compatible with mans responsibility for his sinful acts, but both are affirmed here and in other passages (cf. Acts 3:13–16; 3:17; 4:27; 4:28).
The Jewish leaders, threatened by Jesus popularity among the people of Jerusalem met together to discuss what to do about Him (cf. Matthew 26: 3-5). From the time of His birth, the enemies of Christ have sought to kill Him and have always been divinely thwarted because His time had not yet come. Again when Jesus was teaching in the synagogue (cf. Luke 4:16-30) they tried to kill Him. When He healed the lame man at the pool of Bethesda (cf. John 5:16-18). Such was the public knowledge of their desire to kill Jesus that John records in John 7:25 that the people of Jerusalem referred to him as “Him who they seek to kill.” When His predetermined time had finally come, He knew it (cf. Luke 22:22).
John writes that the Jewish leaders were fearful that Christ’s popularity would result in pressure to recognise Him as Messiah and the rightful ruler of the Jews. This would disrupt the peace with Rome and could act as a catalyst to ignite the anti-Roman zealots who desired to overthrow Roman authority. This posed a tangible threat to the status of the High Priest and the Sanhedrin who, by consent of Rome, wielded token authority in Jewish society. Therefore, the Jewish leaders would set their minds to do all they could to suppress and put to an end the Messianic fever in Israel. They concluded they had to silence Jesus without giving regard to whether he was the true Messiah or not. They just lacked an opportunity to do this in secret so not to draw attention which they feared could incite a riot. Judas would approach them with an offer to betray Jesus for thirty pieces of silver (cf. Matthew 26:14-15)
Caiaphas was High Priest at this time. He was very politically motivated and corrupt. He allowed the money changers to operate in the Temple and taking a cut of profit; he knew the troubled that Jesus caused him when, on two separate occasions, Jesus had entered the Temple and overturned the tables of the money changers. During Roman occupation the High Priests had to be approved by Rome. Sometimes the office was purchased or granted as a political favour. Caiaphas had married the daughter of Annas, the former High Priest (cf. John 18:13). Annas wielded significant power through his Son-in-Law which mounted more or less to a joint priesthood (cf. Luke 3:2). Caiaphas had unusual favour with Rome. During a period of one century of Roman occupation, Rome appointed 28 High Priests; Caiaphas held the office for about 20 years. Therefore, it is no surprise Caiaphas saw Jesus as a political threat and spoke of murdering Jesus (cf. John 11:50).
The crucifixion of Jesus was the most evil act ever committed by sinful, morally lawless human hearts. What the Sanhedrin led by Caiaphas, were planning was meant for evil; but God intended it for an infinite good through which many may be saved (cf. Genesis 50:20). God is always sovereign. His purposes are always fulfilled in spite of the evil intentions of the morally lawless heart of sinful mankind. God works His righteousness through many evil unrighteous acts. This demonstrates how all He does is good; and how He weaves everything together for the good of His children, in Christ, fruit bearing and glorification (Romans 8:28).
The cast have taken their positions and the stage is set for the greatest miscarriage of justice in history; the murder of God.
