Was Jesus murdered, or did He lay down His life of His own accord?
I would say that it's both, because the Scriptures don't contradict themselves.
John 10:18 (NKJV):
"No one takes it from Me, but I lay it down of Myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This command I have received from My Father.”
Acts 5:30 (NKJV):
"The God of our fathers raised up Jesus whom you murdered by hanging on a tree."
Matthew 5:21-22 (NKJV):
"You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not murder, and whoever murders will be in danger of the judgment.’ But I say to you that whoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment. And whoever says to his brother, ‘Raca!’ shall be in danger of the council. But whoever says, ‘You fool!’ shall be in danger of hell fire."
I believe the point that Peter was making was that the Jewish leaders hated Jesus in their hearts well before they decided to have Him crucified. Like Jesus Himself said, no one takes (or can take) His life from Him. Therefore, although Christ wasn't crucified against His will, those who wanted it done had "murdered" Him in their hearts already.
$0.02
I would say that it's both, because the Scriptures don't contradict themselves.
John 10:18 (NKJV):
"No one takes it from Me, but I lay it down of Myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This command I have received from My Father.”
Acts 5:30 (NKJV):
"The God of our fathers raised up Jesus whom you murdered by hanging on a tree."
Matthew 5:21-22 (NKJV):
"You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not murder, and whoever murders will be in danger of the judgment.’ But I say to you that whoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment. And whoever says to his brother, ‘Raca!’ shall be in danger of the council. But whoever says, ‘You fool!’ shall be in danger of hell fire."
I believe the point that Peter was making was that the Jewish leaders hated Jesus in their hearts well before they decided to have Him crucified. Like Jesus Himself said, no one takes (or can take) His life from Him. Therefore, although Christ wasn't crucified against His will, those who wanted it done had "murdered" Him in their hearts already.
$0.02
- 3
- 2
- Show all