Topical Bible: The Death of Christ: Demanded by the Jews

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The death of Jesus Christ, a pivotal event in Christian theology, was significantly influenced by the demands of the Jewish leaders and populace of the time. This entry explores the biblical narrative and context surrounding these demands, as recorded in the New Testament.

Biblical Context

The demand for the crucifixion of Jesus by the Jewish authorities is a critical moment in the Passion narrative. The Gospels provide detailed accounts of the events leading up to the crucifixion, highlighting the role of the Jewish leaders and the crowd in calling for Jesus' death.

The Role of the Jewish Leaders

The chief priests, scribes, and elders played a central role in orchestrating the events that led to Jesus' crucifixion. Their opposition to Jesus was rooted in various factors, including His growing popularity, His teachings that challenged their authority, and His claims of divinity, which they considered blasphemous.

In the Gospel of Matthew, the chief priests and the elders conspire to arrest Jesus by stealth and kill Him (Matthew 26:3-4). They sought false testimony against Him to justify His execution (Matthew 26:59). The Gospel of John further emphasizes their fear of losing their power and influence, as they lament, "If we let Him go on like this, everyone will believe in Him, and then the Romans will come and take away both our place and our nation" (John 11:48).

The Trial Before Pilate

The Jewish leaders brought Jesus before Pontius Pilate, the Roman governor, as they lacked the authority to execute Him themselves. They accused Jesus of claiming to be the King of the Jews, a charge designed to present Him as a political threat to Roman rule (Luke 23:2).

Despite Pilate's initial reluctance to condemn Jesus, the Jewish leaders and the crowd persisted in their demands. Pilate, seeking to appease the crowd and avoid a riot, ultimately capitulated. The Gospel of Mark records Pilate's question to the crowd, "What shall I do, then, with the One you call the King of the Jews?" to which they shouted back, "Crucify Him!" (Mark 15:12-13).

The Role of the Crowd

The crowd's involvement is a significant aspect of the narrative. Influenced by the chief priests and elders, the crowd chose Barabbas, a known criminal, to be released instead of Jesus (Matthew 27:20-21). When Pilate asked what should be done with Jesus, the crowd repeatedly cried out for His crucifixion (Matthew 27:22-23).

Theological Implications

From a theological perspective, the demand for Jesus' death by the Jewish leaders and the crowd is seen as part of the divine plan for salvation. The Apostle Peter, in his sermon at Pentecost, addresses the people of Israel, saying, "This Man was handed over to you by God's set plan and foreknowledge; and you, by the hands of the lawless, put Him to death by nailing Him to the cross" (Acts 2:23).

The demand for Jesus' crucifixion, while a tragic moment of human injustice, is understood within Christian theology as a necessary step in the fulfillment of God's redemptive plan for humanity.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Matthew 27:22,23
Pilate said to them, What shall I do then with Jesus which is called Christ? They all say to him, Let him be crucified.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Was Christ's a Real Death?
... this at all strange; all that was demanded was that ... not have been a small one, as
Christ afterward called on ... instances in which we read of the death-blow being ...
/.../section 297 was christs a.htm

The Misfortunes which Overwhelmed the Jews after their Presumption ...
... 1. After the death of Tiberius, Caius received the ... for the crimes which they dared
to commit against Christ. ... pay him divine honors, which he demanded from them ...
/.../pamphilius/church history/chapter vi the misfortunes which overwhelmed.htm

Whether Christ Should have Preached not Only to the Jews, but Also ...
... Now the right order demanded that the doctrine of Christ ... the triumph of the cross
that Christ merited power ... because He became "obedient unto the death of the ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether christ should have preached.htm

The Death of Christ
... the father has communicated to his son the fact that God has demanded his life ... that
God did design and did permit with willingness the death of Christ; it is ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 4 1858/the death of christ.htm

The Life of Jesus Christ in Its Historical Connexion
... and Dumb Demoniac.--The Charge of a League with Beelzebub: a Visible Sign
demanded.--The Charge ... Phenomena accompanying the Death of Christ: the Earthquake ...
/.../neander/the life of jesus christ in its historical connexion/

The Power and Works of Christ are Proved from the Scriptures.
... XLV."The Power and Works of Christ are Proved from the Scriptures. ... so that they seized
and led Him to trial, and with impious words demanded His death. ...
/.../lactantius/the divine institutes/chap xlv the power and works.htm

The Conservative Reaction, and the Liberal victory --
... and must not be confounded with the Judaizing heresy which demanded circumcision
from ... of denying the necessity and efficacy of the death of Christ for the ...
/.../section 35 the conservative reaction.htm

Jesus Before Pilate. --Christ's Kingdom not "Of this World. "
... Pilate, seeing no grounds for immediate acquiescence, demanded a more ... lawful for
us to put any man to death.". ... of the Jews?" To this question Christ could give ...
/.../section 285 jesus before pilate christs.htm

Pontius Pilate
... the Jewish authorities, who planned and purposed the death of Christ and really ... of
taxes, and the disturbed condition of these parts demanded an official in ...
/.../milligan/men of the bible some lesser-known/pontius pilate.htm

Jesus the Christ.
... Spirit was not given until after the death and ascension ... expected prisoner, and the
reason was demanded by the ... had not overawed them, but the words of Christ. ...
/.../johnson/the new testament commentary vol iii john/jesus the christ.htm