The Crucifixion of Jesus: Historical, Religious and Prophetic Perspectives

Historical Context of the Crucifixion

The crucifixion of Jesus is one of the most significant events in religious history, occurring in 1st-century Judaea, most likely in AD 30 or AD 33. This method of execution was an important form of capital punishment used particularly by the Persians, Seleucids, Carthaginians, and Romans from about the 6th century BCE to the 4th century CE. The Roman governor Pontius Pilate ultimately ordered Jesus' crucifixion, and Roman soldiers carried it out, since crucifixion was a Roman rather than a Jewish method of execution. The evidence points to the conclusion that Jesus was executed by the Romans for sedition—rebellion against the government. He was crucified as "king of the Jews," which appears on the titulus (inscription) on the cross, an element that is almost certainly historical.

Accusations of Blasphemy Against Jesus

Jesus was accused of blasphemy by the Jewish leaders, which is a religious offense that occurs when a person says or does something regarded as being disrespectful to God. In the eyes of the Jewish religious leaders, when Jesus claimed to be God's son, he was insulting God. Blasphemy was a capital crime under Jewish law (Leviticus 24:16), so it was a convenient charge for a court that was seeking malicious witnesses against Jesus. During Jesus' Jewish trial, "false witnesses" testified, "We heard him say, 'I will destroy this man-made temple and in three days will build another, not made by man'". The high priest then questioned him, "Are you the Christ, the Son of the Blessed One?" to which Jesus replied, "I am... and you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven".

Political Dynamics Behind the Crucifixion

The political climate during Jesus' life and ministry was extremely volatile and dangerous. The Roman Empire had made its way into Israel and was an occupying force. There were four major political parties active at the time: The Pharisees, the Sadducees, the Essenes, and the Zealots. Religion and politics were inseparable in first-century Judaism, and Jesus' death was motivated by the perceived threat felt by the religio-political powers of his day.

The opposition Jesus faced from the Pharisees and scribes centered especially on his teaching and actions relating to the law and the Sabbath. He claimed authority over the law, treated the Sabbath command as secondary to human needs, and accused the Pharisees of elevating their oral law—mere human traditions—over the commands of God. His proclamation of the kingdom of God and his calling of twelve disciples would have also provoked anger among the Pharisees, who considered themselves the rightful guardians of Israel's traditions.

The Sanhedrin's Role in Jesus' Crucifixion

During Jesus' last week in Jerusalem, the opposition came especially from the priestly leadership under the authority of the high priest and the Sanhedrin, which was dominated by the Sadducees. Jesus' clearing of the temple is widely recognized as the key episode which provoked the Jewish authorities to act against him. His attacks were aimed at the Sadducees, who represented the religious leadership of Jerusalem.

The Sanhedrin therefore turned Jesus over to Pilate, modifying their religious charges to political ones—sedition and claiming to be a king in opposition to Caesar—and gaining from Pilate a capital sentence. The Jewish leaders warn Pilate, "If you let this man go, you are no friend of Caesar" (John 19:12), which would have made Pilate feel both anger and fear. Pilate ordered Jesus' execution for three reasons: it placated the Jewish leaders and headed off accusations against him to Rome; it preemptively eliminated any threat Jesus might pose if the people actually tried to make him a king; and it ruthlessly warned other would-be prophets and messiahs that Rome would stand for no dissent.

The Physical Process of Crucifixion

The condemned man, after being whipped, or "scourged," dragged the crossbeam of his cross to the place of punishment, where the upright shaft was already fixed in the ground. Stripped of his clothing either then or earlier at his scourging, he was bound fast with outstretched arms to the crossbeam or nailed firmly to it through the wrists. Death ultimately occurred through a combination of constrained blood circulation, organ failure, and asphyxiation as the body strained under its own weight.

Jesus' Teachings on Self-Knowledge and Empowerment

Jesus taught his followers about life and themselves, emphasizing how self-knowledge works empoweringly rather than treating people as sheep. His approach was that of developing his disciples' confidence and self-efficacy, challenging their values and beliefs, and equipping them with the skills needed for their ministries. Jesus practiced self-care and taught his disciples to do the same. He was radically selfless, giving his time and energy freely to anyone who asked for it, yet he didn't run on empty.

Over and over again in the Scriptures, we see him leave the crowds and his friends and find time in solitude to pray and recharge. Jesus modeled spending time with God, stating in Mark 1:35, "Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed". Self-care changes your perspective and your attitude when you feel empowered by the time you spend with the Father.

Jesus' Model of Self-Care and Care for Others

Jesus didn't err in either direction of self-care and care for others. His life suggests that the best way to live, the way that is most fulfilled, is one where we give of ourselves right up to our limits and then recharge so we can do it again. We care for ourselves so we can better care for others. This principle is biblically based, as Proverbs 4:23 states, "Above all else, guard your heart for it is the wellspring of life".

Jesus empowered his disciples by reinstating Peter after his denial, asking him three times if he truly loved him. As Peter affirmed his love for Jesus, Jesus assigned him greater responsibility in advancing God's kingdom on earth. Through this, Jesus emphasized that Peter's love for him should be shown by sharing Jesus, the Bread of Life, with others.

Jesus as a Central Figure Across World Religions

Jesus' teachings and the retelling of his life story have significantly influenced the course of human history, and have directly or indirectly affected the lives of billions of people, including non-Christians. He is considered by many to be one of the most influential persons to have ever lived, finding a significant place in numerous cultural contexts. People trying to discover the truth about God would be wise to take a hard look at Jesus before looking anywhere else, as every major religious movement considers Jesus to be an important religious figure.

Jesus in Christianity

In Christianity, Jesus is the Messiah (Christ) foretold in the Old Testament and the Son of God. Christians believe that through his death and resurrection, humans can be reconciled to God and thereby are offered salvation and the promise of eternal life. The crucifixion was Jesus' plan, and it was his plan from before creation—he's the Lamb who was slain from the foundation of the world (Revelation 13:8).

Jesus in Islam

In Islam, Jesus (commonly transliterated as Isa) is the Messiah and one of God's highest-ranked and most-beloved prophets. Islam considers Jesus to be neither the incarnation nor the Son of God. The Quran mentions Jesus by name 25 times—more often than Muhammad—and emphasizes that Jesus was a mortal human who, like all other prophets, had been divinely chosen to spread God's message.

Muslims believe Jesus was born of a virgin. The Quran describes Mary as a virgin prior to her miraculous conception. Muslims also believe Jesus was a prophet sent specifically to the Children of Israel. While Muslims acknowledge Jesus was a prophet, they deny He is God. Muslims also deny Jesus was the "Son of God".

Jesus in Judaism

Judaism rejects the idea of Jesus being God, or a person of a Trinity, or a mediator to God. Judaism also holds that Jesus is not the Messiah, arguing that he had not fulfilled the Messianic prophecies in the Tanakh nor embodied the personal qualifications of the Messiah. According to Jewish tradition, there were no more prophets after Malachi, who lived centuries before Jesus and delivered his prophesies about 420 BC.

Jesus in Buddhism

Buddhism as a group takes no particular view on Jesus, and Buddhism and Christianity have but a minor intersection. However, some scholars have noted similarities between the life and teachings of Gautama Buddha and Jesus. Buddhists believe Jesus was an enlightened man and a wise teacher. In Buddhism, Jesus is often interpreted as a Bodhisattva, a being enlightened and dedicated to helping others achieve enlightenment.

The Islamic Belief in Jesus' Return

The biblical account of the crucifixion, death, and resurrection of Jesus recorded in the Christian New Testament is traditionally rejected by the major branches of Islam, but like Christians they believe that Jesus ascended to heaven and he will, according to Islamic literary sources, return before the end of time. The various sects of Islam have different views regarding this topic.

Most Muslims believe that Jesus was not crucified but was bodily raised up to heaven by God. In Islamic eschatology, Jesus is attributed with a vast number of miracles in Islamic tradition. In their views of Islamic eschatology, most accounts state that Jesus will return in the Second Coming to kill the Al-Masih ad-Dajjal ('The False Messiah'), after which the ancient tribe of Gog and Magog (Yaʾjūj Maʾjūj) will disperse.

Muslims not only believe in Judgement Day but most Sunnis believe that it is Isa Masih (Arabic for Jesus Messiah) who returns to judge the world. This hadith is clear that when Christ (peace be upon him) returns, he will govern the people according to the teachings of Islam. The return of Jesus is anticipated in Islam, as is the unswerving expectation in Christendom.

Alice A. Bailey's Prophecy and the Maitreya

Alice Bailey, a theosophist, prophesied that Christ would return "sometime after AD 2025" (Theosophists identify "Christ" to a being they call Maitreya). In her book "The Externalisation Of The Hierarchy," Bailey wrote, "In 2025, the date in all probability will be set for the first stage of the externalization of the Hierarchy. The present cycle (from now until that date) is called technically 'The Stage of the Forerunner'. It is preparatory in nature, testing in its methods, and intended to be revelatory in its techniques and results".

Bailey identified the Maitreya with "the Lord Maitreya," the "Bodhisattva". She is alluding to a teaching in Mahayana Buddhism that there have been many Buddhas. Students of the writings of Alice Bailey know that the year 2025 is anticipated to be of vital spiritual significance. The year 2025 signifies a watershed moment in our collective experience, for the Yuga Cycle framework based on the "Saptarshi Calendar" indicates that on 21st March, 2025, the Kali Yuga will end.

Buddhist Perspective on Jesus and Maitreya

Maitreya is a bodhisattva who in the Buddhist tradition is to appear on Earth, achieve complete enlightenment, and teach the pure dharma. According to scriptures, Maitreya will be a successor of the historic Śākyamuni Buddha, the founder of Buddhism. The prophecy of the arrival of Maitreya is found in the canonical literature of all Buddhist sects and is accepted by most Buddhists as a statement about an actual event that will take place in the distant future.

The Dalai Lama said about Jesus, "For me, as a Buddhist, my attitude toward Jesus Christ is that he was either a fully enlightened being or a bodhisattva [a being who delays full enlightenment to help others]". As such, there is no "official" position of what Buddhism sees Jesus as being. The opinions vary widely and different Buddhist practitioners may have different views on Jesus.

Alignment of Religious Perspectives on Jesus

Despite their differences, these religious traditions share common ground in their view of Jesus as a significant spiritual figure. In Islam, Jesus (Isa) is prophesied to return as part of the eschatological narrative, which aligns with various prophecies about a coming figure who will restore justice and peace. Islam sees Jesus' return as a completion of his life and work, which he left incomplete. As the true Messiah, he alone has the power granted to him by God to bring peace and justice to the world.

The concept of Maitreya in Buddhism as a future enlightened being who will appear and achieve complete enlightenment resonates with the Islamic and Christian expectations of Jesus' return. In Messianism across religions, the belief in the advent of a messiah who acts as the savior of a group of people is common. Religions with a messiah concept include Hinduism (Kalki), Judaism (Mashiach), Christianity (Christ), Islam (Mahdi and Isa Masih), Druze faith (Hamza ibn Ali), Zoroastrianism (Saoshyant), Buddhism (Maitreya), Taoism (Li Hong), and Bábism (He whom God shall make manifest).

The connection between Alice A. Bailey's prophecy about the return of Christ/Maitreya around 2025 and the Islamic belief in Jesus' return highlights the convergence of these traditions. Both anticipate a divinely appointed figure who will establish justice, peace, and spiritual enlightenment for humanity. This alignment of beliefs suggests a universal hope for a transformative spiritual leader who will guide humanity toward a more compassionate and enlightened existence.

Conclusion

Jesus stands as a central figure whose life, teachings, death, and anticipated return connect diverse religious traditions. The historical circumstances of his crucifixion—rooted in accusations of blasphemy and political power struggles—reveal the profound impact he had on his contemporary society. His teachings on self-knowledge, empowerment, and care for others continue to inspire billions across religious boundaries. The shared expectation of his return, whether as the Christian Messiah, Islamic Isa, or Buddhist Maitreya, demonstrates the universal yearning for spiritual guidance and the establishment of justice and peace in our world. The alignment of these beliefs across religions offers a powerful reminder of our common humanity and shared spiritual aspirations.