Why Was Jesus Crucified?

[tirapet]

Why was Jesus crucified? Besides because he died to save us. Was it the jealous, angry Pharisees? Did Jesus break any laws? And where can I find this in the Bible?

Thanks much!

 

[Hekuran]

If you read the gospels with an eye for political intrigue, it is clear that Jesus died because he was a threat to the leaders and rulers of the day.

The people were under Roman occupation, and nation was rife with plots to overthrow the Romans. Most people were looking forward to a Messiah in the mould of King David who would kick out the enemy and restore the the glorious Kingdom. Pilate crucified Jesus as "King of the Jews" - he was a threat to the stability of the Roman Empire.

The Pharisees and the Saducees wanted to get rid of Jesus because he threatened their authority as religious rulers.

 

[Strypes]

If you read the gospels with an eye for political intrigue, it is clear that Jesus died because he was a threat to the leaders and rulers of the day.

The people were under Roman occupation, and nation was rife with plots to overthrow the Romans. Most people were looking forward to a Messiah in the mould of King David who would kick out the enemy and restore the the glorious Kingdom. Pilate crucified Jesus as "King of the Jews" - he was a threat to the stability of the Roman Empire.

The Pharisees and the Saducees wanted to get rid of Jesus because he threatened their authority as religious rulers.

In addition to all that, when the High priest asked Jesus if he was the Messiah, Jesus answered...

Matthew 26:64
Jesus said to him, “You have said so. But I tell you, from now on you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power and coming on the clouds of heaven.”

Mark 14:62
And Jesus said, “I am, and you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power, and coming with the clouds of heaven.”

The High Priest and the religious leaders there knew the passage of scripture in Daniel chapter 7

Daniel 7:

13 “I saw in the night visions,

and behold, with the clouds of heaven
there came one like a son of man,
and he came to the Ancient of Days
and was presented before him.
14 And to him was given dominion
and glory and a kingdom,
that all peoples, nations, and languages
should serve him;
his dominion is an everlasting dominion,
which shall not pass away,
and his kingdom one
that shall not be destroyed.

This really upset them because to them, Jesus was proclaiming to be God. That is why the charge was blasphemy.

Matthew 26:65 Then the high priest tore his robes and said, “He has uttered blasphemy. What further witnesses do we need? You have now heard his blasphemy. 66 What is your judgment?” They answered, “He deserves death.” 67 Then they spit in his face and struck him. And some slapped him, 68 saying, “Prophesy to us, you Christ! Who is it that struck you?”

 

[jiggyfly]

Why was Jesus crucified? Besides because he died to save us. Was it the jealous, angry Pharisees? Did Jesus break any laws? And where can I find this in the Bible?

Thanks much!

It was His Father's will.

 

[David777]

Why in fact was Jesus crucified.

From Isaiah 53:8 "For the transgression of my people, to whom the stroke was due." NASB.

Simply put Jesus was crucified for your sin and mine. This was not an accidental sacrifice that God performed. This plan God enacted had its origin before in fact the earth was created.

Jesus became a man to accomplish this task. He tasted death so that we could have life. His crucifiction was the crowning achievment. There was no other way to reconcile His father's judgement than to stand in the way and take the blow of death. This blow was intended for us.

A stunning display of pure love, God's son lays down his life for us.
That's why Christ was crucified. That's why we celebrate Jesus Christ, we have been set free to live an abundant life. Not a life of self orientation, but a life of love towards others. This reflects what
Jesus did for us.

It is the only fact in human history that anyone needs to know.

 

[Hekuran]

If I am reading the opening post correctly, the question is about the human political and legal events that led to Jesus' death.

 

[Jaareshiah]

Why was Jesus crucified? Besides because he died to save us. Was it the jealous, angry Pharisees? Did Jesus break any laws? And where can I find this in the Bible?

Thanks much!

To balance God's scales of justice following the rebellion of Adam, required a man equal to Adam before his defection, a perfect man. Had Adam not broke God's command of not eating from the "tree of knowledge of good and bad"(Gen 2:17), then there would have been no need for a ransom to measure up to Adam in perfection. However, Adam did rebel, partaking of the "tree of knowledge of good and bad".(Gen 3:6) There was now a genuine need for a redeemer, to buy back what Adam our forefather lost for mankind - the hope of living on a paradise earth in perfection as one family "in the abundance of peace."(Ps 37:11)

Thus, Jesus, came to earth and through Mary, was born as a perfect man, becoming the "last Adam".(1 Cor 15:45) He "emptied himself and took a slave’s form and came to be in the likeness of men. More than that, when he found himself in fashion as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient as far as death, yes, death on a torture stake."(Phil 2:7, 8) Isaiah 53:5 says that "he was being pierced for our transgression; he was being crushed for our errors. The chastisement meant for our peace was upon him, and because of his wounds there has been a healing for us."

Hence, in order to redeem mankind "for our transgression" against God as a result of sin within our members, he was "pierced" or put to death. We all have inherited sin and thus die. To remove sin from those who are loyal to God, requires justice, "eye for eye, tooth for tooth, soul for soul."(Deut 19:21) The word translated "sin" is from the Hebrew word chat·ta’th´ and means literally to "miss", as in missing when an arrow is shot at a target. Being born from Adam after his rebellion, we all "miss" the mark of perfect obedience and are hence condemned as "sinners."(Rom 3:23)

By his death upon a torture stake, he provided "healing for us", those who exercise faith in his shed blood as covering their sins.(John 3:16; 1 John 1:7) Because Jesus spoke the truth, he came to have enemies, especially the religious leaders. It was at the behest the religious leaders that Jesus was put to death (John 11:47-53), with the entire nation of Israel being guilty of his death.(1 Thess 2:14, 15)

Jesus had broken none of God's laws, for the apostle Peter wrote: "He committed no sin, nor was deception found in his mouth."(1 Pet 2:22) However, the Jews as a nation, found fault with Jesus, because these were wicked, unwilling and unwanting to grasp Jesus words concerning his being "the fine shepherd" at John 10:1-15 and of his being God's Son (John 10:36), the promised Messiah or Christ.(Dan 9:24, 25)

By his perfect ransom, sin or "the face of the envelopment that is enveloping over all the peoples, and the woven work that is interwoven upon all the nations"(Isa 25:7), will be removed forever from those who loyally adhere to God's laws and guidelines.

Revelation 21:3-5 gives what will result: "With that I (the apostle John) heard a loud voice from the throne say: “Look! The tent of God is with mankind, and he will reside with them, and they will be his peoples. And God himself will be with them. And he will wipe out every tear from their eyes, and death will be no more, neither will mourning nor outcry nor pain be anymore. The former things have passed away. And the One seated on the throne said: “Look! I am making all things new.” Also, he says: “Write, because these words are faithful and true.”