Was God caught by surprise when Jesus was crucified?
No. The crucifixion was not an unforeseen event. It was all in God's foreknowledge; He knew exactly what would happen. Jesus told the Twelve in detail that He would be scourged, beaten, put to death, and raised on the third day. He knew this from eternity past.
Les explains that the cross was not an accident or a surprise. Paul says God has not cast away His people, which He foreknew [s516-s517]. The religious leaders of Israel and Rome consorted together, and while Israel asked for and demanded it, Rome carried it out [s518-s525]. That agrees with Psalms 2, where the rulers of Israel and the kings of the earth consort to put the Messiah to death [s526-s529]. Jew and Gentile together crucified Him [s533]. God was not caught by surprise; it was all in His foreknowledge, and He knew exactly what would happen [s535-s537]. Jesus told the Twelve detail by detail before going to Jerusalem: He would be scourged, beaten, put to death, and raised the third day [s538-s546]. He knew it from eternity past [s547-s549].
God hath not cast away his people which he foreknew. Wot ye not what the scripture saith of Elias? how he maketh intercession to God against Israel, saying,