Who was responsible for the crucifixion of Jesus, the Jews or the Romans?
Both the Jews and the Romans were responsible for the crucifixion. The Jews demanded it, while the Romans carried it out. The text stresses they acted together, in consort, so blame cannot fall solely on Israel. Although Peter in Acts 2 blamed the Jew, the Romans executed the sentence.
Les explains that the Romans actually carried out the crucifixion, while the Jews demanded it, yet the two acted together in consort. He points out that although Peter in Acts chapter 2 only blames the Jew, we cannot blame Israel alone. Psalm 2 pictures the Gentiles raging and the rulers of Israel conspiring together, reinforcing that the crucifixion involved both groups. So responsibility is shared.
Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain:
The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the LORD, and against his anointed, saying,
More Questions
Why did the Romans put Jesus to death?
Jesus' death at the hands of the Romans was not an accident; it happened that way because it is prophecy.
Why did Jesus have to be put to death by both Jews and Gentiles?
God’s sovereign plan required Christ to be put to death at the hands of both the Jew and the Gentile, not by the Jew alone, in order to fulfill Psalms chapter 2.
Who conspired to put Jesus to death — the Romans, the Jews, or both?
The conspiracy that put Jesus to death on the night of his betrayal and in his kangaroo court was not just the Romans or just the Jewish people, but both together.