Did the rulers of this world know who Jesus was?
No, the rulers and princes of this world did not know who Jesus was. The secret, hidden wisdom ordained before the world, was that Jesus was the Christ. Paul says had they known Him, they would never have crucified Him. Israel should have known Him from the Old Testament but did not.
Les explains that the wisdom of God was spoken in a secret, a mystery, the hidden wisdom God ordained before the world. That secret was that Jesus was the Christ, and the princes of this world did not know it. They did not know who He was; Paul says if they had known, they would never have crucified Him. Les notes Israel should have known because the Old Testament was full of Him, and they could have known by studying it, but they did not. He cautions against jumping on the Jew for ignorance, reminding his listeners that America has had the Gospel and the Bible widely available, yet very few know biblical prophecy or understand that the Lord is about to intervene in human history.
Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.
Did the Jewish leaders and Rome know that Jesus was the Lord of glory?
No. Paul writes that none of the princes of this world knew who Jesus was. The Jewish leaders did not know, and Rome certainly did not know. Had they known He was the Lord of glory, they would not have crucified Him. They were still guilty of putting their Messiah to death.
Who did not know the mystery that Jesus was the Christ?
The princes of this world did not know the mystery that Jesus was the Christ, as Paul writes they would not have crucified Him had they known. Israel also did not know, though the Old Testament was full of Him and they could have known by studying it.