Who is responsible for Jesus Christ’s death? from Compelling Truth
Multiple parties were responsible for the death of Christ.
Judas Iscariot, one of the twelve disciples, personally betrayed Jesus for thirty silver coins (Matthew 26:15).
The Jewish religious leaders took the lead in plotting to kill Jesus. In addition to coordinating with Judas to have Jesus arrested, they worked together to form a plan for His death. Matthew 26:3-4 reveals, “Then the chief priests and the elders of the people gathered in the palace of the high priest, whose name was Caiaphas, and plotted together in order to arrest Jesus by stealth and kill him.”
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Beyond the Jewish leaders, the Jewish people in Israel were also involved in putting Jesus to death. When offered Jesus’ release, they instead requested the release of a prisoner named Barabbas (Matthew 27:21). When asked by Pilate what to do with Jesus, they shouted, “Crucify him!” (Luke 23:21).
The Roman leaders and military soldiers were personally involved in the death of Jesus. They included those who flogged Him, authorized His death, nailed Him to the cross (Matthew 27:27-37), pierced His side with a spear (Matthew 27:27-35), and guarded His body as He died on the cross. Both the Roman leader of the area, named Pilate, and many Roman soldiers were personally involved in the death of Jesus.
Finally, we must also realize that God the Father allowed His only Son Jesus to die on the cross. Scripture teaches that the crucifixion took place in “the definite plan and foreknowledge of God” (Acts 2:23). God’s perfect, sovereign plan for the salvation of humanity included the death of His Son as a perfect, sufficient sacrifice for sin.
Throughout history, there have been those who have sought to place the blame for the death of Jesus on one group or another. However, the Bible makes clear that many were involved in Christ’s death, both Jews and non-Jewish Gentiles. In addition, the reason Jesus willingly died was due to the sins of all people (2 Corinthians 5:21). In effect, we are all responsible for His death.
