Why did the princes and leaders of the then-known world crucify Jesus?
The princes and leaders of the then-known world crucified Jesus because they did not know who He truly was—not recognizing Him as the Son of God, the Messiah, or Israel’s King. Yet this was part of God’s eternal plan to purchase salvation for every human being who would respond.
Les explains that Paul is alluding to the wisdom none of the princes of this world knew. The word “knew” means more than a casual recognition that a fellow came out of Nazareth; they did not know Him as the Son of God, the Messiah of Israel. None of the princes of this world knew Him—not of Israel, nor of Rome. Had the leaders of Israel, the high priest, and the Pharisees known who Jesus of Nazareth really was, they would never have cried for His death. Pilate came close: he found no fault in Him and received his wife’s dream warning, but he did not see it, and he also put his stamp on the crucifixion. So the princes and leaders of that then-known world did not know who Jesus was, and consequently they went ahead and crucified Him. This was all part of God’s eternal plan for the ages, that it had to be in order to purchase the salvation of every human being who would respond.
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.