Who Really Killed Jesus

Who REALLY Killed Jesus?

Mt 26:47-27:26

One of the first and most vocal groups to reject the movie is the Jews. They claim that the movie is anti-Semitic... anti-Jewish. They feel that the Jews come off as the bad guy... the villain. They also feel that is an unfair portrayal of the facts. Many say it was not the Jews who killed Jesus because they had no power to take a life... only the Romans could do that. Some point to Pilate and say he had the power to stop it, so he must bear the blame. Still others say it was the crowd, which was surely composed of many different types of people.

One thing is sure... there is more than enough blame to go around. Let’s take a look at all of the ones who played a part in that death.

First: the historical villain, the one at whom most people would point an accusing finger... THE JEWS.

There is no denying their part in the whole gruesome spectacle. All four Gospels tell us...

47And while he yet spake, lo, Judas, one of the twelve, came, and with him a great multitude with swords and staves, from the chief priests and elders of the people. . . Then came they, and laid hands on Jesus, and took him. 57And they that had laid hold on Jesus led him away to Caiaphas the high priest, where the scribes and the elders were assembled. 59Now the chief priests, and elders, and all the council, sought false witness against Jesus, to put him to death; 60But found none: yea, though many false witnesses came, yet found they none. At the last came two false witnesses,61 And said, This fellow said, I am able to destroy the temple of God, and to build it in three days. 62And the high priest arose, and said unto him, Answerest thou nothing? what is it which these witness against thee? 63But Jesus held his peace. And the high priest answered and said unto him, I adjure thee by the living God, that thou tell us whether thou be the Christ, the Son of God. 64Jesus saith unto him, Thou hast said: nevertheless I say unto you, Hereafter shall ye see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven. Then the high priest rent his clothes, saying, He hath spoken blasphemy; what further need have we of witnesses? behold, now ye have heard his blasphemy. 66What think ye? They answered and said, He is guilty of death. 67Then did they spit in his face, and buffeted him; and others smote him with the palms of their hands 68Saying, Prophesy unto us, thou Christ, Who is he that smote thee? When the morning was come, all the chief priests and elders of the people took counsel against Jesus to put him to death: 2And when they had bound him, they led him away, and delivered him to Pontius Pilate the governor. 3Then Judas, which had betrayed him, when he saw that he was condemned, repented himself, and brought again the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders, 4Saying, I have sinned in that I have betrayed the innocent blood. And they said, What is that to us? see thou to that. 5And he cast down the pieces of silver in the temple, and departed, and went and hanged himself.

And the chief priests took the silver pieces, and said, It is not lawful for to put them into the treasury, because it is the price of blood. 7And they took counsel, and bought with them the potter’s field, to bury strangers in. 8Wherefore that field was called, The field of blood, unto this day. 9Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremy the prophet, saying, And they took the thirty pieces of silver, the price of him that was valued, whom they of the children of Israel did value; 10And gave them for the potter’s field, as the Lord appointed me.

11 And Jesus stood before the governor: and the governor asked him, saying, Art thou the King of the Jews? And Jesus said unto him, Thou sayest. 12And when he was accused of the chief priests and elders, he answered nothing. 13Then said Pilate unto him, Hearest thou not how many things they witness against thee? 14And he answered him to never a word; insomuch that the governor marveled greatly. 15Now at that feast the governor was wont to release unto the people a prisoner, whom they would.

6And they had then a notable prisoner, called Barabbas. 17Therefore when they were gathered together, Pilate said unto them, "Whom will ye that I release unto you? Barabbas, or Jesus, which is called Christ?" 18For he knew that for envy they had delivered him. 19When he was set down on the judgment seat, his wife sent unto him, saying, "Have thou nothing to do with that just man: for I have suffered many things this day in a dream because of him." 20But the chief priests and elders persuaded the multitude that they should ask Barabbas, and destroy Jesus. 2IThe governor answered and said unto them, "Whether of the twain will ye that I release unto you?" They said, Barabbas. 22Pilate saith unto them, "What shall I do then with Jesus which is called Christ?" They all say unto him, "Let him be crucified." 23And the governor said, "Why, what evil hath he done?" But they cried out the more, saying, "Let him be crucified." 24When Pilate saw that he could prevail nothing, but that rather a tumult was made, he took water, and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, "I am innocent of the blood of this just person: see ye to it." 25Then answered all the people, and said, "His blood be on us, and on our children." l6Then released he Barabbas unto them: and when he had scourged Jesus, he delivered him to be crucified.