84. Was the crucifixion of Jesus only the deed of His enemies?

No, Jesus’ death on the cross was in the Father’s plan, since only through His suffering and death on the cross could the Son of God become the Redeemer of humanity. Jesus’ way of suffering was shown in detail by God to the prophets in advance and proclaimed through them.

  • Psalms 22 and 69; Isaiah 53
  • He was oppressed and He was afflicted, yet He opened not His mouth; He was led as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before its shearers is silent, so He opened not His mouth. (Isaiah 53:7)
  • Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! (John 1:29)
  • “Awake, O sword, against My Shepherd, against the Man who is My Companion,”
    Says the LORD of hosts. “Strike the Shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered.” (Zechariah 13:7)
  • Then Jesus said to them, “All of you will be made to stumble because of Me this night, for it is written: I will strike the Shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.” (Matthew 26:31)
  • They divide My garments among them, and for My clothing they cast lots. (Psalm 22:18)
  • Then they crucified Him, and divided His garments, casting lots. (Matthew 27:35)
  • They also gave me gall for my food, and for my thirst they gave me vinegar to drink. (Psalm 69:21)
  • After this, Jesus, knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the Scripture might be fulfilled, said, “I thirst!” Now a vessel full of sour wine was sitting there; and they filled a sponge with sour wine, put it on hyssop, and put it to His mouth. (John 19:28-29)
  • “Ought not the Christ to have suffered these things and to enter into His glory?” And beginning at Moses and all the Prophets, He expounded to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself. (Luke 24:26-27) – Jesus talking to the disciples on the road to Emmaus.
  • Then He said to them, “These are the words which I spoke to you while I was still with you, that all things must be fulfilled which were written in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms concerning Me.” (Luke 24:44)