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Jesus' death at the hands of the Romans

Posted: Mon Nov 08, 2004 11:50 am
by Christian2
Hello,

We all know that Jesus was put to death on a cross by the Romans.

My question is why the Jews did not stone Jesus to death? Why did they leave it up to the Romans? Apparently they had the authority to stone because they stoned Stephen. Why not Jesus?

Thanks.

Posted: Wed Nov 17, 2004 11:54 am
by chomputer
I think there was a stone shortage that year. Probably because the Romans kept crucifying everyone and so there was no one in jail to break boulders down into stones small enough for throwing. Stupid Romans...

chomputer, how brillant of you

Posted: Wed Nov 17, 2004 1:06 pm
by Christian2
Hi,

A stone shortage!! I never would have thought of that. I bet you are right!

Peace

Re: Jesus' death at the hands of the Romans

Posted: Thu Nov 18, 2004 1:47 am
by RGeeB
Christian2 wrote:Hello,

We all know that Jesus was put to death on a cross by the Romans.

My question is why the Jews did not stone Jesus to death? Why did they leave it up to the Romans? Apparently they had the authority to stone because they stoned Stephen. Why not Jesus?

Thanks.
That's a good one, lets see..The only accusation which the Jews thought was substantiated was blasphamey - that Jesus made Himself equal with God. Well, that was a false charge anyway! In spite of Jesus' own 'self-condemming' statement, I think the Jewish rulers did not want an innocent man's blood on their hands - perhaps they were still not sure He was guilty. They wanted His blood to be upon the hands of the Romans, so they trumped up the 'king against caesar' charge. Now, Pilate knew that that was unsubstantiated as well, so he put the 'blood' back on the Jews by washing his hands. Well, now the mob wanted the Romans to do the dirty work anyway.
It all happened in a way that prophecies in Isaiah and Psalms were fulfilled - No one can be clearly blamed..maybe to prove we all had a part in this Innocent Sacrifice.

Now about Stephen the elder - who was against him? - not just the JewsActs 6:9. Anyway, the Jewish council was personally offended, they cast him outside the city and stoned him. That was illegal because the witnesses present could not present a 'stoneable' charge. Also, Stephen could say - Acts 7:60. I think the Romans did not bother to interfere and God allowed it for the gospel to spread.

In brief, the Jews were hesitant with Jesus because He was popular with a majority of them, unlike Stephen.

Posted: Sun Jan 23, 2005 7:01 pm
by Deborah
The romans did not wish to be responsable for the death. But the Jews demanded his death stating that because of their beliefs they could not do it themselves.

Posted: Sun Jan 23, 2005 8:32 pm
by Mastermind
The jews did try to stone Jesus once but He escaped.