Why did the rulers of this world crucify Jesus, according to 1 Corinthians 2:8?
They crucified Him in ignorance because they did not know who He was. First Corinthians 2:8 declares that had the princes of this world known the hidden wisdom God ordained, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. Their lack of knowledge explains the crucifixion.
Les teaches that the crucifixion happened because the rulers did not know who Jesus was. He uses the cities of refuge as backdrop: under that system, a person who killed someone unintentionally was not guilty of premeditated murder and could flee to a city of refuge. Likewise, Israel's response to their Messiah escaped the guilt of premeditated murder because they did not know what they did. In 1 Corinthians 2:7–8, Paul speaks of the wisdom of God in a mystery, the hidden wisdom God ordained before the world, which none of the princes of this world knew. Had they known it—who He was—they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. Les says it stands to reason, but they did not know, so the Lord could rightfully say, Father forgive them, they're ignorant, they don't know what they're doing.
Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.
More Questions
Did the Roman and Gentile rulers who crucified Jesus know who he was?
Paul's statement in 1 Corinthians 2:8 shows the same ignorance principle applies to Rome and the Gentiles, not just Israel, because the princes of this world did not know and therefore would not have crucified the Lord of glory if they had known.
Why did the leaders of the world crucify Jesus?
Because the princes and leaders of the then-known world did not know who Jesus of Nazareth was, they went ahead and crucified Him.
Who were 'the princes of this world' in 1 Corinthians 2:8?
The 'princes of this world' in 1 Corinthians 2:8 are the Jewish leaders and Rome, and neither group knew who Jesus was.