Why did the rulers of the world crucify Jesus?
The rulers of the world crucified Jesus because they did not know who He truly was—the Son of God, the Messiah, and King of Israel. They failed to recognize His true identity. Yet His crucifixion was also part of God's eternal plan to purchase salvation for every human being who would respond.
Les explains that the wisdom revealed to Paul was that Christ was the Son of God, the Messiah, the King of Israel, but His own people rejected and crucified Him. However, this was all part of God's eternal plan for the ages, necessary to purchase salvation for every human being who would respond. In 1 Corinthians 2:8, Paul says none of the princes of this world knew this wisdom. The word 'knew' means more than casual recognition; they did not know Him as the Son of God, the Messiah of Israel. None of the princes—neither of Israel nor Rome—understood who He really was. Had the leaders of Israel, the high priest, or the Pharisees known who Jesus of Nazareth really was, they would never have cried for His death. Pilate came close, saying he found no fault in Him and receiving a warning dream from his wife, but he still did not see it and put his stamp on the crucifixion. So the princes and leaders of that then-known world did not know who Jesus of Nazareth was, and consequently they went ahead and crucified Him.
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.