By David Ettinger
Note: This is an alternate version of a similar post I wrote several years ago. I just wanted to examine an additional angle. The link to the original is below.
Hateful Belief
Down through the centuries the answer has been, “The Jews!”

One of the primary instigators of this hateful belief has been the Church, though this conviction has been declining in the past 50 or 60 years. Yet, there are still enough pockets of Jew-blamers inhabiting American and European Christendom to keep the defamation coming. Blaming Jesus’ death on the Jewish people has been a pastime of the Church for centuries, and it is something large sectors of it just can’t let go of.
Yet, the Bible tells us it was the Romans who carried out the deed. “Yes,” many object, “but it was the Jews who baited them.” The Jewish and Roman leadership did join to crucify Jesus. Yes, human agents were involved in Jesus’ death, but because this is the way He designed it.
The Obvious Answer
The truth of the matter should be obvious. A quick perusal of the Gospels makes clear who killed Jesus. Jesus killed Jesus. In fact, Jesus came to Earth to die for the sins of humanity. Jesus Himself sheds all the light on the issue we need. Here is His own testimony (emphasis added):
- “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many” (Mark 10:45).
- “… just as the Father knows me and I know the Father – and I lay down my life for the sheep” (John 10:15).
- “The reason my Father loves me is that I lay down my life – only to take it up again” (John 10:17).
- “Now my soul is troubled, and what shall I say? ‘Father, save me from this hour’? No, it was for this very reason I came to this hour” (John 12:27).
And the most convincing piece of evidence:
- “No one takes it [my life] from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I received from my Father” (John 10:8).

This was Jesus’ expressed intention. He came to Earth in “the fulness of the time” (Galatians 4:4) – i.e., the perfect time in history – to die in a very specific place, in a very specific way, and at the hands of very specific people. Jesus was not the victim of circumstances; HE CREATED THE CIRCUMSTANCES. He was the agent of His own death on the cross.
Ironically …
… if Jesus did not die for the sins of the world, you and I would be hopelessly lost in our sins and destined for eternal damnation. Jesus deliberately came to Earth to free the human race (those who would accept His blood sacrifice) from this fate. Therefore, if segments of the Church insist on blaming the Jews of killing Jesus, then at least they should thank them for it.
The 14th century painter Pacino di Bonaguida understood the intentionality of Jesus’ death as one of his most famous works depicts Jesus eagerly using a ladder to climb upon the cross! Of course this is inaccurate, but it makes the theological point that Jesus willingly came to die.
And for the record, had Jesus come at any time in history to any nation on Earth, He still would have been put to death. At that time in history it was the Jews and Romans. Today it easily could be a Western nation.
No human being is innocent in Christ’s death as it was our sins which put Him on the cross. Aren’t you glad He absolved us when He said: “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing” (John 23:34)!
https://ettingerwriting.wordpress.com/2018/09/13/who-killed-jesus/
Bruce
January 29, 2020
Hi David, I agree that Jesus was complicate in His own death but it wasn’t Jesus who drove the spikes into His hands and feet and raised Him on the cross. And as you indicate, Jesus also asked our Father to forgive them because they did not really know what they were actually doing. I’m thinking that the “do” word is a verb. But, as you also indicate, we all are complicate in the death of Jesus because it is our sin and the price He paid for it, that necessitated putting Him there in the first place, according to the will of the Father. Just not keen on seeing it stated as “Jesus killed Jesus” which could give the connotation that He alone was responsible. The responsibility was shared. Jews alone, no, but definitely complicate, as are you and I. Sorry, just had to throw that in. Blessings.
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dettinger47
January 29, 2020
No problem, Bruce. Thank you for the insights. My main point is that yes, though others contributed, as I mentioned, they are not to be blamed by the world for this, i.e., “Christ killers.” Whatever sufferings the Jewish people have experienced over the centuries was not because of their role in Christ’s crucifixion, but in rejecting Him. I just didn’t want to get too deep or too complicated in this blog.
Regarding you having “to throw that in,” you’re always welcome to contribute to my posts, and I invite you to. I take no offense whatsoever when people contribute, and regarding the point you made in this post, I absolutely agree!
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Bruce
January 29, 2020
Thank you David, I admire your generosity and openness. If we were sitting beside one another, you could have slapped me on the wrist and I would have understood. Blessings!
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dettinger47
January 29, 2020
Nah. Instead, I probably would have just muttered under my breath in my best New York Jewish accent, “Oy, such a Gentile!”
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Bruce
January 29, 2020
And rightly deserved!
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Lesley
January 29, 2020
😂 at you two. 😊
Good post David
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dettinger47
January 29, 2020
Thank you, Lesley.
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mrsmariposa2014
January 29, 2020
This is an excellent reminder. He could’ve called down, what was it? Ten legions of angels, I believe, to escape the cross, but, no. It’s important to recognize He chose the cross to free us from ourselves. It is also important to recognize we are all complicit and to lay it at one group of people’s feet, using it as an excuse for hatred is so foolish! Thanks for this. And for a great and amusing discussion here in the comments! ☺ Blessings to you!
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dettinger47
January 29, 2020
Hey, no fair, Marisa. You said that better than I did!!! 😂😂😂
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mrsmariposa2014
January 29, 2020
Aww, shucks. Wasn’t my aim, but thank you. You flatter me. 😊 😁
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vicklea
January 29, 2020
I did. And Jesus would die on the cross if I were the only sinner.
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dettinger47
January 29, 2020
Amen. Well said, Vickie.
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