Who crucified Jesus?

Mark chapter 9 verse 31 is a very shocking verse. In fact, it may be the most shocking verse in the entire Bible. This verse answers the question, “Who crucified Jesus?” Jesus at this point did not have long to live. Six months later He died in Jerusalem during Passover of 30 AD.

Jesus said, “The Son of Man is to be delivered into the hands of men, and they will kill Him, and when He has been killed, He will rise three days later (Mark 9:31).” This was not the first time Jesus predicted His death. In Mark 8:31 Jesus predicted what was going to happen. “…the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders and the chief priests and the scribes, and be killed and after three days rise again.” Jesus is the Messiah but He was not the type of messiah people expected. He came to suffer and die.

Later in Mark 10:33 Jesus predicted where He would die. “Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be delivered to the chief priests and the scribes; and they will condemn Him to death and will hand Him over to the Gentiles.” Jesus died in Jerusalem.

Mark 9:31 reveals who crucified Jesus. “The Son of Man is to be delivered into the hands of men….” The word delivered means “to be handed over, to wash your hands and abandon.” The word is used for Judas and the Sanhedrin and Pontius Pilate. This verse, however, is different. It says, “The Son of Man is to be delivered into the hands of men…” Who delivered Jesus into the hands of men? It was God the Father! Ultimately God the Father crucified His own Son Jesus.

On the day of Pentecost Peter said, “This Man, (same word) delivered over by the predetermined plan and foreknowledge of God, you nailed to a cross…”(Acts 2:23) Jesus was delivered over by the Father. In Romans 8:32 the apostle Paul said, “He (God the Father) Who did not spare His own Son, but delivered (same word) Him over for us all…”

Why did Jesus make this shocking prediction in Mark 9:31? Three reasons…. First, it is a pattern for you and me. This verse is in the context of greatness. True greatness involves service and sacrifice and humility. God the Father served us by sending His Son. God gave His beloved, perfect Son for us. Jesus sacrificed by dying for our sins.

Second, this prediction prepared the disciples for His coming death. Jesus said, “Do not be shocked. I am going to die.” He prepared them for future events. God uses Bible prophecy to prepare us for future events.

Third, the death of Jesus was a propitiation. Propitiation means “satisfaction, appeasement.” Jesus died to pay the price for our sins. The Father’s wrath against my sin (and your sin) was satisfied through the death of His Son. Instead of us dying for our sins, Jesus died in our place. This is the perfect plan of God.

For many years Martin Luther wondered, “How can a sinful person stand before a righteous God?” Luther wrestled with this question for years. It led him to despair. In fact, at one point Luther hated God. Finally, Martin Luther understood the shocking plan behind the cross. He said, “I realized for the first time that my own justification depends, not on my own righteousness which will always fall short, but it rests solely and completely on the righteousness of Jesus Christ which I must hold on to by trusting faith.”

Sin is our great enemy. “The wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23).” Sin is so grievous and so heinous only the death of Jesus provides atonement. Jesus lived a perfect life. He died a perfect death. He satisfied the Father’s wrath against our sin. Won’t you turn to Him today?

Ethan Hansen is a pastor at Faith Bible Fellowship in Big Lake.