A popular search term on Google is “Why was Jesus crucified?”
With so much curiosity surrounding the topic, we asked Harry O. Maier, professor of New Testament and early Christian studies at the Vancouver School of Theology, to take a closer look at the historical, religious and cultural significance behind the crucifixion story.
First of all, what is crucifixion?
Crucifixion was a form of execution used by the Romans for slaves, pirates and enemies of the state from sixth century BCE to the fourth century CE. It was a slow, cruel and humiliating form of capital punishment. And since it happened in public, it served as a powerful display of Roman authority, warning people not to disobey imperial rule.
When was Jesus crucified?
Scholars estimate that Jesus of Nazareth was crucified by the Romans in 30 or 33 CE.
More on Broadview:
Why was Jesus crucified?
Theologians and historians offer varied answers to this question.
From a theological perspective, the cruel death of Jesus calls for an explanation. If Jesus was the Son of God, why did he suffer such a horrible form of execution? Was his death part of God’s plan, or is it symbolic of human wickedness and failure? These questions are in many ways ground zero for theological reflection. Behind them stands another big one: why do bad things — and more pointedly why does God allow them to — happen to good people?
The New Testament offers multiple interpretations. Some writings draw on Hebrew Bible texts to understand his death as an atoning sacrifice for sin. Others refer to it as a means God used to vanquish death and the grave, as well as spiritual and institutional powers of violence and oppression. Still others find in it an example of love — namely that Jesus laid down his life for others and by so doing, gave a model of sacrificial love for others to follow.
In all these cases, the death of Jesus belongs together with the New Testament statements about his resurrection. Later Christians used Jesus’ death to develop more sophisticated theological ideas. Few theologians, however, argue that God willed Jesus’ death, focusing instead on how God used the tragedy to bring unexpected outcomes of life and abundance for all.
While these Christian interpretations address the meaning of Jesus’ death, they do not explain why he was crucified.
Want to read more from Broadview? Consider subscribing to one of our newsletters.
What do historians say about why Jesus was crucified?
Some New Testament accounts tragically blame Jews for Jesus’s death, but this is incorrect. In the Gospel stories, Roman governor Pontius Pilate, who ultimately sentences Jesus, does not want to crucify an innocent man, but bows to pressure from Jewish leaders. The problem with blaming Jews is that at the time, Jewish leaders had authority to execute people guilty of these offences themselves by stoning and other methods. They did not need the Romans to intervene on their behalf, and since crucifixion was a Roman method of execution, it’s clear that these authorities are responsible.
One recent account by Iranian-American author Reza Aslan resurrects a theory from the 19th century, unconvincingly arguing that Jesus was a political revolutionary who plotted the overthrow of Rome by violence. However, the entirety of the New Testament, as well as extrabiblical witness, speaks directly against this theory.
The historical reason for his execution is probably more subtle. Jesus proclaimed a present and coming reign of God, which Roman authorities may have interpreted as a challenge to their own rule.
It’s also possible that during Passover, a ritual commemorating God’s liberation of the Jews from Egypt, Jesus’ growing popularity could have been seen as a threat to the public order. His arrest and crucifixion could have been the result of Roman fears that he would destabilize the fragile allegiance between the imperial powers and the local priestly aristocracy, who maintained order in the Temple.
***
Harry O. Maier is a professor of New Testament and early Christian studies at the Vancouver School of Theology.
Thanks for reading!
Did you know Broadview is the only media organization in Canada dedicated to covering progressive Christian news and views?
We are also a registered charity and rely on subscriptions and tax-deductible donations to keep our trustworthy, independent and award-winning journalism alive.
Please help us continue to share stories that open minds, inspire meaningful action and foster a world of compassion. Don’t wait. We can’t do it without you.
Here are some ways you can support us:
Thank you so very much for your generous support! Together, we can make a difference.
Jocelyn Bell, Editor/Publisher, CEO and Trisha Elliott, Executive Director
Comments
Pastor Stan says:
Dr. Crossan suggests that Jesus was crucified in the coming together of the FEARS of the religious leaders & political leaders.
Jesus with his growing number of followers appeared to be a threat to the Roman authorities; Jesus' followers were one of a number of "dissident" groups of that time. The religious leaders feared him because he spoke of Love as he was raised in a Aramaic village whose religious leaders stressed the God called Elohim = shepherd. This is so opposed to the followers of Yahweh= the God of judgement & wrath.
This last split can be sen today as Judgement worshipers & Acceptance or Love followers tear each other apart in today's Christian church.
Paddling Vintage Sunday School Teacher says:
Sheep blood spilled on the wooden doorposts, so the Angel of Death would "Passover" was an annual rehearsal of the Lamb of God, Jesus' crucifixion. Jesus' body was the flesh and blood temple of the soul that was smashed in bone, blood and tears. Indicative of the twice smashed earthly synagogue. Which is represented at all Jewish weddings by smashing the cloth covered glass goblet under the foot of the circumcised male groom. Jesus was secured to the wooden cross with wooden nails piercing his flesh, bone and blood. Jesus side was slit open which was representative of the veil of the synagogue being torn and rendered. The blood of Jesus spilled out onto the ground signifying we are all one blood and he gave his innocent live flesh to us for forgiveness of our sins, Due to the documented sacrifice of the The Lamb of God, our Lord and Saviour, Jesus of Nazareth, The Angel of Death will "Passover" us, as our Holy Spirit ascends to Eternal Peace. Even though he loved people and life, he knew he had a job to do. Just as a female knows when to "push" when she is giving birth to her live child entering the outside cruel world. L' Chaim, To Life!
Gary says:
Rebuttal of Pastor Stan.
The political leaders (if you mean Romans) did not even consider Jesus. This is clear in Matthew 27, Pontius Pilate isn't clear who Jesus is. (See also John 18:29) If he was clear he would have sentenced Christ on the spot.
If you mean Herod, all he wanted was to see Jesus do a miracle, he considered Jesus a freak show. (I find it interesting that both Herod and Pilate became friends after this. History notes that both were notoriously evil.)
Concluding, political leaders did not fear Jesus.
The Matthew 27 passage also reveals that the religious leaders were envious (verse 18), not fearful. They were fearful of the people though. Matthew 26, quite a contrast. Hatred by the religious leaders is also found in Matthew 21:14-15.
As for Jesus having a growing number of followers, that seems to be off as well. Jesus calls out the followers in John 6 (verse 26 and 42) and they all leave (except the 12) in verse 66. Notice in John 6 "love" is not mentioned. They were offended by Christ's teaching.
As for the crowd on "Palm Sunday", they too were in for the miracles that Jesus called them out for in John 6, found in John 12:17-18.
Concluding, Jesus and His followers were not a dissident group. In fact by His trial, Jesus was the lone man standing.
Your last statement bothered me the most. Mark 3:25 If a house is divided against itself, the house cannot stand.
So either one view is right or the other is right, or better yet, both are right. God is just, and demands justice, and in love, provided a way to receive mercy. It is up to us to accept it, God does not force us.