1. Ignorance of the Scriptures
Why Did They Kill Jesus?
Ignorance of the Scriptures
And His name, through faith in His name, has made this man strong, whom you see and know. Yes, the faith which comes through Him has given him this perfect soundness in the presence of you all. Yet now, brethren, I know that you did it in ignorance, as did also your rulers. But those things which God foretold by the mouth of all His prophets, that the Christ would suffer, He has thus fulfilled. (Acts 3:16-18)

2. Jesus Was Not What They Wanted
Why Did They Kill Jesus?
Jesus Was Not What They Wanted
Then those men, when they had seen the sign that Jesus did, said, “This is truly the Prophet who is to come into the world.” Therefore when Jesus perceived that they were about to come and take Him by force to make Him king, He departed again to the mountain by Himself alone. (Jn. 6:14-15)
From that time many of His disciples went back and walked with Him no more. (John 6:66)
After these things Jesus walked in Galilee; for He did not want to walk in Judea, because the Jews sought to kill Him. (John 7:1)

3. Because He Condemned Their Vain Religion
Why Did They Kill Jesus?
Because He Condemned Their Vain Religion
…the Pharisees and all the Jews do not eat unless they wash their hands in a special way, holding the tradition of the elders...Then the Pharisees and scribes asked Him, “Why do Your disciples not walk according to the tradition of the elders, but eat bread with unwashed hands?” He answered and said to them, “Well did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written: ‘This people honors Me with their lips, But their heart is far from Me. And in vain they worship Me, Teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’ For laying aside the commandment of God, you hold the tradition of men--the washing of pitchers and cups, and many other such things you do.” He said to them, “All too well you reject the commandment of God, that you may keep your tradition…” (Mk. 7:1-13)

4. Because He Exposed Their Sin & Prejudice
Why Did They Kill Jesus?
Because He Exposed Their Sin & Prejudice
Then all the tax collectors and the sinners drew near to Him to hear Him. And the Pharisees and scribes complained, saying, “This Man receives sinners and eats with them.” (Luke 15:1-2)
Parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37)

5. Because He Put All Sins in the Same Class
Why Did They Kill Jesus?
Because He Put All Sins in the Same Class
There were present at that season some who told Him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. And Jesus answered and said to them, “Do you suppose that these Galileans were worse sinners than all other Galileans, because they suffered such things? I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish. Or those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them, do you think that they were worse sinners than all other men who dwelt in Jerusalem? I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish. (Luke 13:1-5)

6. Because They Hated Jesus
Why Did They Kill Jesus?
Because They Hated Jesus
The world cannot hate you, but it hates Me because I testify of it that its works are evil. (Jn. 7:7)
…God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him. And we are witnesses of all things which He did both in the land of the Jews and in Jerusalem, whom they killed by hanging on a tree. (Acts 10:38-39)
But I know you, that you do not have the love of God in you. (Jn. 5:42)

7. Why Did They Kill Jesus? Envy
But Pilate answered them, saying, “Do you want me to release to you the King of the Jews?” For he knew that the chief priests had handed Him over because of envy. (Mark 15:9-10)
Then the chief priests and the Pharisees gathered a council and said, “What shall we do? For this Man works many signs. If we let Him alone like this, everyone will believe in Him, and the Romans will come and take away both our place and nation.”….Then, from that day on, they plotted to put Him to death. (John 11:47-48, 53)

8. Why Did They Kill Jesus? Selfishness
Then He began to rebuke the cities in which most of His mighty works had been done, because they did not repent: “Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the mighty works which were done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. But I say to you, it will be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon in the day of judgment than for you. And you, Capernaum, who are exalted to heaven, will be brought down to Hades… (Matt. 11:20-24)

9. Would I Have Killed Jesus?
Am I motivated by hatred?
By Envy? By Selfishness?
Am I wed to false tradition?
Am I trying to get by with ignorance?
Is the doctrine Jesus taught really what I want?
But now you seek to kill Me, a Man who has told you the truth… (John 8:40)
Have I therefore become your enemy because I tell you the truth? (Gal. 4:16)
The one calling you to repentance is NOT your enemy!