The crucifixion of Jesus is one of the most well-known events in human history. Yet even today, over 2000 years later, people still have questions about the specific details surrounding Jesus’ death. One of the most common questions people ask is why the crowd shouted “Crucify Him!” when Pilate wanted to release Jesus. To fully understand the context and reasons behind the crowd’s reaction, we need to examine the biblical accounts leading up to Jesus’ crucifixion.
Jesus’ Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem
The events leading up to Jesus’ crucifixion began around a week earlier, with His triumphal entry into Jerusalem on what we now call Palm Sunday. As Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a donkey, crowds lined the streets spreading cloaks and palm branches, shouting “Hosanna to the Son of David!” (Matthew 21:9). The crowds were hailing Jesus as the long-awaited Messianic King. The religious leaders in Jerusalem were alarmed by this royal reception and immediately began plotting to kill Jesus (Matthew 21:46, Mark 11:18).
Jesus Clears the Temple
After His triumphal entry, one of Jesus’ first actions in Jerusalem was to drive out the money-changers and merchants from the temple courts. He declared “It is written, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer,’ but you make it a den of robbers” (Matthew 21:13). This bold act further increased the tension between Jesus and the religious establishment in Jerusalem.
Jesus’ Teachings in the Temple
Each day during Passion Week, Jesus would teach large crowds in the temple courts (Luke 19:47-48). He engaged in public debates with the chief priests, scribes and elders, who questioned Jesus’ authority. Jesus used parables and other teachings to publicly expose the hypocrisy and false piety of the religious leaders. They were humiliated before the crowds and hatred for Jesus grew even stronger (Matthew 21:45-46).
The Plot to Kill Jesus
The gospels record that the chief priests and elders met at the palace of Caiaphas, the high priest, to look for ways to arrest Jesus secretly and kill him. They decided “not during the feast, lest there be an uproar among the people” (Matthew 26:3-5; Mark 14:1-2). The religious leaders feared the large crowds in Jerusalem for Passover would riot if Jesus was arrested publicly.
Judas Agrees to Betray Jesus
One of Jesus’ own disciples, Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests and agreed to betray Jesus in exchange for 30 pieces of silver (Matthew 26:14-16). The betrayal by Judas gave the religious leaders the opportunity they needed to arrest Jesus away from the crowds.
The Last Supper
On Thursday evening of Passion Week, Jesus ate a final supper with His disciples and instituted the Lord’s Supper and Eucharist. He foretold that one of the disciples would soon betray Him, and Judas left soon after (Matthew 26:20-25). After the meal, Jesus went to pray in the Garden of Gethsemane, where Judas led the temple guards to arrest Him (Matthew 26:36-50).
Jesus Before the Sanhedrin
After His arrest, Jesus was first brought to Annas, the former high priest, and then to Caiaphas, the current high priest. The chief priests and Sanhedrin quickly assembled and put Jesus on trial late night, contrary to Jewish law. They falsely accused Jesus of blasphemy when He declared He was the Son of God (Matthew 26:57-68; Mark 14:53-65).
Peter Denies Knowing Jesus
While Jesus was being questioned, Peter waited in the courtyard and denied three times knowing Jesus, just as Jesus had foretold at the Last Supper (Matthew 26:69-75).
Jesus Before Pilate
Since the Jewish leaders lacked authority to execute capital punishment, they brought Jesus to the Roman governor Pontius Pilate to authorize the crucifixion. Pilate questioned Jesus and found no basis for the charges (John 18:28-38). According to Roman custom, Pilate offered to release a prisoner and gave the crowd a choice between Jesus or Barabbas, a convicted murderer (Matthew 27:15-18).
It was at this point that the crowd shouted “Crucify Him!” when Pilate wanted to release Jesus. To understand why they did this, we need to examine several important factors:
1. Influence of the Religious Leaders
The gospels record that the chief priests and elders persuaded the crowd to ask for Barabbas to be released over Jesus (Matthew 27:20). As community leaders, they likely swayed many in the crowd through persuasion or intimidation.
2. Peer Pressure
Psychology studies show people are heavily influenced by the actions of those around them. If some in the crowd started shouting “Crucify Him!” others likely joined in without thinking.
3. Disappointment Jesus Was Not the Expected Victorious King
When Jesus entered Jerusalem on Palm Sunday, crowds thought He would establish an earthly kingdom and defeat the Romans. Instead, He was arrested and condemned by the Jewish leaders. Those who expected an earthly victor felt disappointed and deceived.
4. Fear of Repercussions
Some in the crowd feared they could be punished for supporting someone condemned as a criminal by Jewish and Roman authorities. It was easier to go along with the crowd.
5. Misunderstanding Jesus’ Kingdom
Many expected the Messiah to overthrow Roman oppression and establish a new Jewish kingdom. Instead, Jesus’ kingdom was spiritual, not physical. Lacking understanding, it was easy to turn against Jesus when things didn’t happen as expected.
6. Mob Mentality and Escalation
Psychology studies show mob mentality can take over in heated situations, causing people to act in ways they normally wouldn’t. The shouts from some to “Crucify Him!” could have influenced others to abandon reason and join in the escalating outcries.
7. God’s Will
The Bible teaches that Jesus was crucified according to God’s sovereign plan and foreknowledge (Acts 2:23). Though the people acted on their own accord, God was ultimately orchestrating events to fulfill His greater purposes.
In summary, there were complex social and psychological factors that led the crowd to shout “Crucify Him!” even when Pilate wanted to release Jesus. Their actions highlight the malleability of human nature and serve as a warning against blindly following the crowd.
Jesus Mocked and Beaten
After the crowd demanded crucifixion, the Roman soldiers severely beat and mocked Jesus before leading Him away to be crucified (Matthew 27:27-31; Mark 15:16-20).
Jesus’ Crucifixion and Death
At Golgotha, Jesus was nailed to a cross and crucified between two criminals. As He hung on the cross, Jewish leaders and Roman soldiers continued to mock Him (Matthew 27:32-44). In His final hours, Jesus spoke several statements and called out to God before finally dying.
Darkness and Earthquake
The gospels record supernatural darkness coming over the land for three hours as Jesus hung on the cross (Mark 15:33). When He died, the temple curtain was torn in two and there was an earthquake (Matthew 27:51). These signs testified to the spiritual significance of Christ’s death.
Jesus Buried in the Tomb
Jesus was taken down from the cross late Friday afternoon and hastily buried in a tomb before sundown when the Sabbath began (Matthew 27:57-61; Mark 15:42-47). The religious leaders requested guards be placed at the tomb to prevent the disciples from stealing the body (Matthew 27:62-66).
Deeper Significance Behind the Crucifixion
On the surface, the crucifixion was the culmination of building tensions between Jesus and the religious establishment in Jerusalem. However, the Bible also shows there were deeper spiritual purposes being fulfilled:
1. Fulfillment of Biblical Prophecy
The crucifixion fulfilled many Old Testament prophecies about the Messiah’s suffering and death, including Psalm 22 and Isaiah 53.
2. Redemption for Sins
Jesus died as the ultimate sacrificial “Lamb of God” to take away the sins of the world (John 1:29; 1 Corinthians 5:7). His death served as atonement for sin.
3. Demonstration of God’s Love
The crucifixion displayed God’s perfect love, with Christ dying for us even when we were still sinners (Romans 5:8).
4. Defeat of Sin and Death
Jesus’ death paid the penalty for sin and disarmed the powers of evil, allowing for forgiveness and eternal life (Colossians 2:13-15; Hebrews 2:14-15).
While the crowds shouting “Crucify Him!” fulfills the biblical narrative, it calls us to self-reflection. Would I have been in that crowd? Am I part of the crowd today rejecting Christ through my words, actions or apathy toward Him? The events leading up to the crucifixion remind us we each need to purposefully choose to stand with Jesus, rather than blindly follow the crowd.
