Crime mysteries are popular these days. Agatha Christie’s works of fiction continue to be read by a new generation, making her the best-selling author of all time. TV shows like Dateline or 48 Hours present weekly stories about true stories. Numerous podcasts are dedicated to reporting on solved crimes or drawing attention to cold cases.

But when it comes to the death of a truly innocent victim, Jesus of Nazareth, we don’t need to call a detective to solve it. We have eyewitnesses whose testimony makes it very clear who was responsible for Jesus’ death. At Pentecost, Peter stood with the other apostles and openly declared who killed the Son of God. Peter said:

“People of Israel, listen to these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a man testified to you by God through great works, wonders and signs that God did through him in your midst, as you yourselves know, this Jesus, handed over according to the decree the plan and foreknowledge of God, crucified and slain by the hands of lawlessness” (Acts 2:22–23).

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Although this statement is very clear, Peter’s words reveal layered distinctions that must be made when answering the question, “Who Killed Jesus?”

Pontius Pilate and the Roman authorities executed the death of Jesus

Peter testified that Jesus was “crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men.” He was referring primarily to the Romans, including Pontius Pilate, the Roman governor of Judea who ordered the death of Christ. We read that Pilate did so reluctantly when he “took water and washed his hands before the crowd, saying, ‘I am innocent of this man’s blood'” (Matt. 27:24). However, he was guilty of killing Christ. Giving the crowd a choice between releasing Jesus or Barabbas, a notorious criminal, he knew they would choose the latter (Matt. 27:15–26).

Following Pilate’s orders, the Roman soldiers crucified Christ, mocking Him with a robe and a crown of thorns, spitting on Him and putting a sign over His head that said He was the King of the Jews (Matt. 27:27–30). History corroborated Pilate’s guilt in Christ’s death. The Apostles’ Creed states that Jesus Christ “suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried.”

Jewish leaders and people plotted and required the death of Jesus

At Pentecost, Peter was speaking to “the men of Israel.” Peter and the other 11 apostles, representing God’s new Israel, spoke directly to old Israel in a loud voice: “This Jesus…You crucified and killed by the hands of lawlessness” (emphasis added). The Jewish leaders, who made a secret deal with Judas Iscariot to betray Him, were responsible for Jesus’ death. Indeed, the last words of this sermon are: “God made Him Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified” (Acts 2:36emphasis added).

Jesus “came to His own, and His own did not receive Him” ​​(John 1:11). Even worse, when He was judged, they all chanted, “Let Him be crucified!” (Matt. 27:22–23). Most awful of all, they even cried out, “His blood be upon us and upon our children!” (Matt. 27:25). The terrible judgments, including the destruction of Jerusalem in one generation, became the terrible fulfillment of their rejection and killing of the Messiah who was sent to them.

elect made necessary the death of Jesus

Speaking of Christ’s crucifixion at Pentecost, Peter proclaimed His death and resurrection as the only means available for salvation. When the hearers were pierced to the heart for their guilt, they cried out to the Apostles, “‘Brethren, what shall we do?’ And Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the Name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”Acts 2:38).

Truly, every sinner chosen for salvation by God is, in part, responsible for the death of Jesus. Our sins made it necessary to nail Jesus to the cross. Only through this act “have we redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses” (Ephesus. 1:7). Whenever we confess our sins, witness a baptism, or partake of the Lord’s Supper, we are, in effect, admitting that we made it necessary for Christ to die, and we thank Him for it.

God ordained the death of Jesus

Incredibly, Peter’s answer to this question had a final distinction. He said that the crucifixion of Jesus took place according to the “definite plan and foreknowledge of God.” As the Lamb slain before the foundation of the world (Rev. 13:8), it was decided by God in the eternal council of redemption that His Son would become man and die on behalf of the elect.

However, we have to be careful here. Unlike the previous three parties who are guilty of Jesus’ death, God, simply and sovereignly, is not. As the Westminster Confession of Faith states,

“God, from eternity, by the most wise and holy counsel of his own will, freely and unchangeably made whatever happens; yet so, since by this neither is God the author of sin, nor is violence offered to the will of creatures; nor is the freedom or contingency of secondary causes taken away, but rather established” (WCF 3.1).

Although not a perfect illustration, God is like a conductor who is not responsible for the playing of any instrument in a symphony. God orchestrated the death of His beloved Son through no wrongdoing on His part so that we could be saved.

Who knows? When it comes to the death of Jesus, the answer is both apparent and profound.

This article was first published in Table talkthe biblical study magazine of Ligonier Ministries. Learn more at TabletalkMagazine.com or subscribe today at GetTabletalk.com.