Last night at dinner, we had mixed company of Christians, Catholics and Jews.?

Question

The conversation became very heated. Who killed Jesus?
What is your answer?????

Answer 1

My question: Why does it matter?

If Jesus hadn't be crucified then we wouldn't have been given the chance of salvation.

In my opinion, no one because Jesus surrendered himself over to it. Technically he wasn't killed because he was crucified and then left alone, God took up his spirit soon after. It was what Jesus was born for and he understood this. He used the Jews to bring salvation to the world, Jesus even says in Mark 14:36 "Abba, Father," he said, "everything is possible for you. Take this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will."

He understood what he was called to do and knew of his impending death. It was a necessary sacrifice and the Father and the Son both understood that.

He died, he wasn't killed.

Answer 2

The Catholic Church officially teaches:

When she delves into her own mystery, the Church, the People of God in the New Covenant, discovers her link with the Jewish People, "the first to hear the Word of God.

The Jewish faith, unlike other non-Christian religions, is already a response to God's revelation in the Old Covenant.

To the Jews "belong the sonship, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the worship, and the promises; to them belong the patriarchs, and of their race, according to the flesh, is the Christ"; "for the gifts and the call of God are irrevocable."

Neither all Jews indiscriminately at that time, nor Jews today, can be charged with the crimes committed during the Passion of Jesus Christ. The Jews should not be spoken of as rejected or accursed as if this followed from Holy Scripture.

For more information, see the Catechism of the Catholic Church, sections 597 and 839:
http://www.usccb.org/catechism/text/pt1sect2chpt2art4p2.htm#597
http://www.usccb.org/catechism/text/pt1sect2chpt3art9p3.htm#839

With love in Christ.

Answer 3

I once had the privilege of hosting college kids for the summer in my home. There were two Muslims, one Catholic, one Jew and two atheists. We are Christians. I learned a lot about how to love all people and it was a summer I will never forget.

To answer your question from a Christian perspective - It was always God's plan to give His son for us as the ultimate High Priest, the ultimate sacrifice for our sins. Every person that has ever drawn breath should look deep within themselves instead of pointing at others. To take it even further - the absolute bottom line is that He willingly gave Himself to us out of His perfect love for us. The same God that created this amazing Universe could easily have escaped this horrible crucifixion. I am humbled by that and can only sit before Him in awe of that gift. It doesn't make sense to give credit or blame to a group of humans for what was given freely.

I know that many that read this are not Christians and may not agree with what I have written. Thanks for giving me the opportunity to share my deepest joy though.

Merry Christmas!

Answer 4

Technically, the Romans ordered the crucifixion only after the Jewish populace chose to free a murderer rather than free Christ. The Jews had no law to put a man to death, so they needed the Romans to do their dirty little deed. See the Sadducees and Pharisees we into their high position in their culture...they were book savvy and were sticklers for following the letter of the law...who wouldn't rescue a poor struggling animal from a ditch just because it was the day of worship? Well, these religious leaders were really annoyed that they couldn't trip Jesus into breaking God's law (how could He? He was God's son). The people were loving him until they figured out that He wasn't going to set up a kingdom on earth and run the Romans off. They couldn't understand the concept of a Heavenly Kingdom. In fact, even today there are those that can't bring themselves to believe, which is why we have division in religious beliefs and cultures.

The fact that Jesus knew His destiny and He GAVE His life willingly removes the argument of who killed Him. All these people involved in His death were also involved in the resurrection...if He hadn't died, He never could have defeated death and rise on the third day.

Answer 5

My answer as an atheist is that in the story which I see as a really good story and metaphor - In actuality the Romans killed Jesus as it was ordained by god.

There is no such thing as -'the' jews- Because when you call for someone to die it is because there is some self interest.

In the end Pontius Pilate had more to gain than to lose by the crucifixion and some Jews had more to gain.

I don't think it matters who killed Jesus as in the story it was foreordained he knew that he had to be killed in order to become a God to everyone. It is a pitiful side issue to accuse anyone now - and spoils the story and disempowers god and jesus and I am sure no one wants to do that.

Answer 6

Jesus gave up His life. Jesus would not have went to the cross out of force. The Bible in Luke 22-23 describes the events that led to the cross. He was hated by the religious leaders of Jewish people then and hung on a Roman cross. The thing is it does not matter who took part in Jesus dying. Those people are long dead, and you cannot hate a people for something you blame their ancestor for. The important thing is Jesus rose again and is alive now.

Answer 7

Techincally it was the Romans. (assuming the story is true, of course.) And we know it was the crowd who chose to free Barabas. So if you want to be nitpicky, I would say it was Judas, who offered him up in the first place, the Jews who chose not to let him go, and the Romans who put him on the cross.

In actuality, one could claim God killed Jesus, as he was sent specifically to be a sacrificial lamb. I'm sure I'll get a ton of thumbs down for that one, but one could look at it that way, I suppose.

Answer 8

I guess that depend on culpability and conspiracy. Pilate in his official capacity as procurator of Judea handed down the sentence with the force of Roman law therefore Rome and the gentiles were culpable. He did this to satisfy the Sanhedrin who were the religious leaders of the Isrealites so they were co-conspirators in His death, as were those who insisted His blood be on them and their children. Finally, since Christ came to die for our sins as a perfect sacrifice, aren't we all responsible for His death since each of us sins. Does not every evil act by every person account for a lash, or a blow on a nail, or a thorn in His head ,or a fist, or mock?
The real answer is: All of mankind from the beginning of time to the end flailed at Christ, even the most saintly to have lived. The important thing we do is first to realize we are sinners and accept His sacrifice, then repent by endeavoring never to sin again and finally atone by making sacrifices of your own offered to Him in imitation of Simon who helped carry His cross. This is either penitence or works of charity. Yes there it is!! The "WORKS" that non-catholic christians are alway railing about.

Answer 9

Everyone who commits shares responsibility for Jesus's Passion and Death.

Answer 10

Welcome to my life! lol! I made dinner last night (X-mas eve)for some friends of ours who are Christian. I enjoy cooking and having people over, but I am Jewish and don't celebrate X-mas. Anyway, I made a turkey with the "works" and overheard grumbles of not being served ham, which I'm told is traditional X-mas fare...go figure. Anyway, the Romans killed Jesus!