2:14-15 Why blame the Jews and not the Romans for killing Jesus?
2:14-15 Why blame the Jews and not the Romans for killing Jesus?
Although the Jews did not physically kill Jesus, they instigated His death.
They told the Roman governor Pontius Pilate to crucify Him, and he did (cp Mt 27:15-26; Lk 23:13-26; Jn 19:13-18).
Even though the Jews did not physically kill Jesus, God held them culpable. Their sin was the greater - for rejecting Jesus and delivering Him up to death (cp Jn 19:11; Ac 2:22-23, 36; 4:10). It was always in God's plan that Jesus would die - He was God's redeeming sacrifice for mankind's sins (cp Gen 3:15; Isa 42:1-7; 53:4-12 with Jn 1:29-31; 1Pe 1:18-21; Rev 5:6-10).
Even though Christ's death was ordained by God, it does not absolve either the Jews or Romans from guilt.
(See also comments on Mt 27:24-25, Lk 23:13-26, Jn 19:11, Ac 2:22-23.)