Jesus Died & "The Jews" (Revised 2)

Jesus: Killed/died - the roles

Early in the document we call “the Acts of the Apostles” Peter addressed a crowd gathered in Jerusalem. This was about 50 days after Jesus’ death on the Roman cross. The specific day is called “Pentecost”, though, as usual, the calendar year (33 or 30?) is a matter of conjecture. Here is a part of the record: “Fellow Israelites,[a] listen to what I have to say: Jesus of Nazareth,[b] a man attested to you by God with deeds of power, wonders, and signs that God did through him among you, as you yourselves know— this man, handed over to you according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of those outside the law. But God raised him up, having released him from the agony of death, because it was impossible for him to be held in its power (Acts 2:22-24, NRSVUE).

Here I am focussing on the statement that these Jews in Jerusalem had apparently had Jesus handed over to them and had killed him (by other hands) - and fulfilled God’s plan. Now that may not be as simple as it sounds! How had Jesus been handed over, and to whom, and by whom?

Jesus: the Reprieve that Wasn't

The sentence became final. What happens if you look at the four accounts of the moment, and compare them?

Do they tell the same story, even without being identical?

In this post I am examining the four accounts of the critical moment when Jesus became a “dead man walking”.

Jesus and those Crowds (edn2)

PS! "Crowds" is a bigger topic and I intend a follow up on the wider occurrences in the Gospels. AH 11/09/24

Jesus was welcomed to Jerusalem at the start of the last week by a deliriously happy crowd. At the end of the week he was rejected and scorned. How could that be? 

Jesus must G O !

But.. h o w?

The hierarchy long knew they wanted Jesus gone. They also knew they did not want to be tainted by the killing. They could find another way... quite unknowing what it all meant....!

Early on the powerful religious in Jerusalem, and round about, knew that Jesus had to go. He was continuing his campaign, and not in any way that they could accept. Jesus had failed to respond to their probes, and resisted their intervention. Could they conspire to do away with him, safely?

Jesus: All four say..

The four Gospels devote a considerable amount of space to Jesus’ final week, and the resurrection day. Following is a compilation extracted from information limited to that found in all of the accounts.

Jesus: Crucified

Pilate was surprised to hear that he was already dead. Summoning the centurion, he asked him if Jesus had already died (Mark 15:44, NIV).

January Cross Buns

I snapped a photo at a supermarket, on 2nd January, 2021:

Messiah Crucified

Below is a partial compilation of Jesus and the cross. This is a glimpse of how the Gospel writers reported the reality of his death.

Crosses

And whoever does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. (Matthew 10:38-39 ESV).

Jesus Executed (the 4 crucifixion accounts)

“Christ crucified”