Who Killed Jesus Christ?

Who killed Jesus? Who is really responsible for the death of Jesus Christ on the cross?
When we investigate the issues related to Christ’s mission on earth and the events that eventually led to His crucifixion, there are several answers to the question of: who killed Jesus Christ?

1. The Religious Leaders Killed Jesus Christ
Throughout the 4 gospels in the New Testament, it is easy to realize that religious leaders such as the Pharisees had a big problem with Jesus. For example, the Pharisees hated Jesus, and they believed Christ to be both a heretic and a threat to their religious influence and authority among the people. The Pharisees were also envious of Christ.
Jesus also rebuked and exposed the Pharisees and other Jewish leaders as false teachers and this clearly did not sit well with the religious leaders (Matthew 23:1-39).
So when Jesus healed a man with a withered hand, the Pharisees plotted with the Herodians concerning how to kill Jesus (Mark 3:5-6).
In Mark 11:15-18 after Jesus chased the money changers from the temple, the chief priests and scribes “were seeking a way to destroy Jesus, for they feared Him, because all the crowd was astonished at His teaching.”
Again when Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead, the Pharisees again plotted on how they could kill Jesus (John 11:45-53).
John 11:53 says: So from that day on they made plans to put Him to death.

2. The Romans Killed Jesus Christ
Although initially reluctant, it was Pontius Pilate who sentenced Jesus Christ to death. The Bible says that Pilate “knew that it was out of envy that they (religious leaders) had delivered Jesus to him” for sentencing (Matthew 27:18).

Matthew 27:24-26 says: So when Pilate saw that he was gaining nothing, but rather that a riot was beginning, he took water and washed his hands before the crowd, saying, “I am innocent of this man’s blood; see to it yourselves.” 25 And all the people answered, “His blood be on us and on our children!” 26 Then he released for them Barabbas, and having scourged Jesus, delivered Him to be crucified.

So the Romans under Roman law were also responsible for the execution of Jesus Christ.

3. The People of Israel Killed Jesus Christ
The Jewish crowd and rioters chose a notorious criminal and prisoner called Barabbas over Jesus Christ who was completely innocent of all accusations laid against Him.

Matthew 27:20-23 says: Now the chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowd to ask for Barabbas and destroy Jesus. 21 The governor again said to them, “Which of the two do you want me to release for you?” And they said, “Barabbas.” 22 Pilate said to them, “Then what shall I do with Jesus who is called Christ?” They all said, “Let Him be crucified!” 23 And he said, “Why, what evil has He done?” But they shouted all the more, “Let Him be crucified!”

So the Jewish crowd and rioters were persuaded and manipulated by the religious leaders to call for the execution of Jesus Christ.

4. All of Mankind Is Responsible For Killing Jesus Christ
The reality is that every single human being is responsible for killing Jesus Christ. Since the fall of Adam and Eve in the garden of Eden, every person is born a sinner or with the natural inclination to sin.
Romans 3:10 says that no one is righteous and Romans 3:23 says that we have all sinned and fall short of God’s glory.

Therefore our sins as mankind nailed Jesus Christ to the cross. The purpose of Christ’s crucifixion was so that He may pay for our sins through His blood which He shed. He paid the penalty for sin that mankind could not pay through it’s own works.
He bore all our sins on the cross so that we may freely receive Him and His righteousness in exchange.

1 Peter 2:24-25 says: He Himself bore our sins in His body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By His wounds you have been healed.

Ephesians 1:7 says: In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace

2 Corinthians 5:21 says: For our sake He made Him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God.

Therefore our sins led to the reason and purpose of why Jesus Christ came to earth. He came as the sacrificial Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world (John 1:29).

God Planned the Death & Resurrection of Jesus Christ

The crucifixion of Jesus Christ was a horrific thing, a terrible burden and high price to the extent Jesus prayed: “Father, if You are willing, take this cup from Me; yet not My will, but Yours be done.” (Luke 22:42)

God’s plan and will was that Jesus pay the ultimate penalty for our sins. It is also His desire that whoever believes and receives Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour will be saved or born again.

John 1:12-13 says: But to all who did receive Him, who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God, 13 who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.

John 3:16-17 says: “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through Him.”

Romans 5:8-9 says: But God shows His love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. 9 Since, therefore, we have now been justified by His blood, much more shall we be saved by Him from the wrath of God.

Therefore Christ’s death and resurrection was orchestrated by God in order to save humanity from His wrath or from eternal punishment.
So God offers salvation to every person as a free gift through Jesus Christ. Our response should be to believe and receive by faith Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour.

DO YOU WANT TO BE A CHRISTIAN or A FOLLOWER OF JESUS CHRIST?

ACKNOWLEDGE
Romans 3:23 says “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God”
This means that we have all broken God’s laws and God’s 10 Commandments like those mentioned in Exodus 20:1-17.
For example, if you’ve told a lie; if you have stolen something; if you have lusted after somebody or if you have coveted. This means you are guilty of breaking at least one or more of God’s 10 Commandments. Breaking God’s commandments makes us sinners. The fact that we are sinners who have broken God’s law or commandments means that we are accountable to God who is the Lawgiver.
Romans 6:23 says that “the wages of sin is death BUT the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord”
So you must acknowledge that you are a sinner who has broken God’s commandments and that you therefore need Jesus in your life.

REPENT
Luke 13:3 says: “Unless you repent you will all likewise perish”
Acts 3:19 says: “Repent therefore and be converted that your sins may be blotted out”
Repenting means: to change your mind; a sincere turning away, in heart, mind and action;
Therefore God wants you to change your mind about sinful values and of sinful living. God wants you to decide to follow Him and to make Jesus the Lord of your life.

CONFESSION
Romans 10:9 says: “That if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved”
1 John 1:9 says: “If we confess our sins. He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness”
God is a forgiving God. God will forgive any sin that you have done because Jesus died for ALL your sins and to set you free from the bondage of all types of sin in your life.

BELIEVE
John 3:16 says: “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life”
You must believe that ONLY Jesus can save you and restore your relationship with God. You must believe that Jesus is the ONLY way by which you can have everlasting life and escape from eternal separation from God. You must believe that Jesus died on the cross for you and resurrected from the grave.
John 1:12 says: “But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name”
By faith you must receive Jesus as your Lord & Savior and therefore; you become a child of God; you become born again; you become a Christian; you restore your broken relationship with God

Why Not Make Your Eternal Decision NOW?

We become born again Christians by GRACE through FAITH or TOTAL TRUST in Jesus Christ as our Lord & Savior (Galatians 3:26) & (Ephesians 2:8,9). Salvation is a FREE gift received through FAITH in Christ.

PLEASE NOTE: You can choose to pray in your own words. This prayer is a sample prayer and it is only an EXPRESSION of your faith, belief & trust in Jesus. Salvation is by GRACE through FAITH or BELIEVING in Christ Jesus as your Lord & Saviour.

“Lord Jesus, I thank You for Your love. I thank You that You died on the cross for me and resurrected so that I may have eternal life through You.
I confess Lord that I have sinned against You and broken your laws and commandments. Today I ask You to forgive me of all of my sins, past present and future.
Today I repent and I’ve decided to follow You. Thank You for forgiving all my sins.
From this moment, come into my life Lord Jesus & take full control of my life. I want to follow You Jesus and I want to follow Your ways. Save me and from today, make me a new creation in Christ.
I receive You Lord Jesus right now by faith. I trust You as my Lord and Savior – Amen”

Have you accepted & believed in Jesus Christ as a result of reading this article and would like to know more about what to do next? If so please acknowledge by clicking the “I Have Accepted Jesus Christ” button below