I have a question re the crucifixion of our Lord Jesus Christ. I had a short discussion with someone about it. Could you please let me know if crucifixion was against Jewish law. I know that the Pharisees wanted Jesus gone, but I have believed not through crucifixion. Would you please clarify this for me?
I don’t believe crucifixion was against Jewish law, but if they did execute someone that way they were not allowed to leave him there overnight (Deut. 21:23). Also the prophecies of the Lord’s death called for crucifixion (Psalm 22:16, Isaiah 53:5).
Under Roman occupation the Jews didn’t have the authority to execute anyone by any means. That’s why they brought Jesus to the Romans. Had the Jews been able to execute Jesus they would probably have stoned Him to death, because that was their method of execution for someone who committed blasphemy, as they believed Jesus had done.