Recent movies have raised the debate about who killed Jesus? Jews? Romans? Satan?

1. Who Killed Christ?
Controversy about the movie –
“The Passion of the Christ”

2. Introduction
• Newsweek Magazine – had a cover story –
“Who Killed Jesus?”
• Mel Gibson’s movie has renewed an old
debate and discussion
• Some of you may have seen the movie.
• We will look at the question.

3. The Jews Killed Jesus
• This view is responsible for much anti-
Semitism through history.
• Inquisitions, Holocaust, Ghettoization
• Jewish people today have a legitimate fear
of reprisal because of this.

4. The Jews Killed Jesus
• John 7:1 – After these things Jesus walked
in Galilee; for He did not want to walk in
Judea, because the Jews sought to kill Him.
• John 7:19 – Did not Moses give you the
law, yet none of you keeps the law? Why do
you seek to kill Me?”

5. The Jews Killed Jesus
• John 10:31 - Then the Jews took up stones
again to stone Him.
• Acts 2:36 - “Therefore let all the house of
Israel know assuredly that God has made
this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord
and Christ.”

6. The Jews Killed Jesus
• The Jewish leaders were involved in the
death of Jesus.
• But – Did Jesus hold them guilty?
• Luke 23:34 - Then Jesus said, “Father,
forgive them, for they do not know what
they do.”

7. The Romans Killed Jesus
• John 18:28 - Then they led Jesus from Caiaphas
to the Praetorium, and it was early morning. But
they themselves did not go into the Praetorium,
lest they should be defiled, but that they might eat
the Passover.
• John 18:31 - Then Pilate said to them, “You take
Him and judge Him according to your law.”
Therefore the Jews said to him, “It is not lawful
for us to put anyone to death,”

8. The Romans Killed Jesus
• Crucifixion was a Roman means of capital
punishment, not Jewish.
• So, the Romans were the ones who actually
carried out the death sentence.

9. God Killed Jesus
• John 3:16 - For God so loved the world that He
gave His only begotten Son, that whoever
believes in Him should not perish but have
everlasting life.
• Isaiah 53:4-5 - Surely He has borne our griefs
And carried our sorrows; Yet we esteemed Him
stricken, Smitten by God, and afflicted. 5
But He
was wounded for our transgressions, He was
bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for
our peace was upon Him, And by His stripes we
are healed.

10. Jesus Killed Himself
• John 10:11 - “I am the good shepherd. The
good shepherd gives His life for the sheep.
• John 10:15 - As the Father knows Me, even
so I know the Father; and I lay down My
life for the sheep.

11. Jesus Killed Himself
• John 10:17-18 - “Therefore My Father
loves Me, because I lay down My life that I
may take it again. 18
No one takes it from
Me, but I lay it down of Myself. I have
power to lay it down, and I have power to
take it again. This command I have received
from My Father.”

12. Jesus Killed Himself
• Jesus remained silent before His accusers.
• He did not defend Himself against the charges.
• Because – He resolutely planned to die.
• Hymn – He could have called 10,000 angels
• Matthew 26:53 - Or do you think that I cannot
now pray to My Father, and He will provide Me
with more than twelve legions of angels?

13. Satan Killed Jesus
• Hebrews 2:14 - Inasmuch then as the children
have partaken of flesh and blood, He Himself
likewise shared in the same, that through death
He might destroy him who had the power of
death, that is, the devil,
• John 13:27 - Now after the piece of bread, Satan
entered him. Then Jesus said to him, “What you
do, do quickly.”

14. Satan Killed Jesus
• Luke 22:53 - When I was with you daily in
the temple, you did not try to seize Me. But
this is your hour, and the power of
darkness.”
• Satan is that “power of darkness.”

15. All of Us Killed Jesus
• Isaiah 53:4-6 – 4
Surely He has borne our griefs
And carried our sorrows; Yet we esteemed Him
stricken, Smitten by God, and afflicted. 5
But He
was wounded for our transgressions, He was
bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for
our peace was upon Him, And by His stripes we
are healed. 6
All we like sheep have gone astray;
We have turned, every one, to his own way; And
the LORD has laid on Him the iniquity of us all.

16. Who Killed Jesus?
• Who really crucified Jesus?
• Was it the Jews?
• Was it the Romans?
• Was it God who planned it to happen?
• Was it Jesus himself who allowed it?
• Was it Satan?
• Was it not all of us?
YES
YES
YES
YES
YES
YES

17. Who Killed Jesus?
• How do you feel about what Jesus went
through for you?
• Hebrews 6:6 - if they fall away, to renew
them again to repentance, since they crucify
again for themselves the Son of God, and
put Him to an open shame.
• Could your life be making Jesus endure theCould your life be making Jesus endure the
crosscross – AGAIN?