Frustration at the Fickle Crowd
Many have wondered how the same crowd proclaimed Jesus Messiah King on Palm Sunday and days later called for Him to be crucified. When we put preconceptions aside, answers are always available through an examination of the Jewish context of the Gospel accounts.
Who were they? Was the Palm Sunday Crowd also the crucifixion day crowd?
What did they do?
They saw or heard of the resurrection of Lazarus and believed on Jesus. “Much people of The Jews therefore knew that he was there: and they came not for Jesus’ sake only, but that they might see Lazarus also, whom he had raised from the dead….MANY of the Jews went away, and believed on Jesus.
When were they there? On Sunday before the Passover.
On the next day MUCH PEOPLE that were come to the feast, when they heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem.” John 12:9-14
They celebrated His arrival to Jerusalem in a festive procession fit for a King.
“And a VERY GREAT MULTITUDE spread their garments in the way…MULTITUDES that went before, and that followed, cried, saying, Hosanna to the son of David: Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord; Hosanna in the highest…the WHOLE MULTITUDE OF THEM had heard his parables…they feared the MULTITUDE, because they took him for a prophet.” Matthew 21:8-9, 45-46
The sheer size and zeal of the common MULTITUDES on Palm Sunday was intimidating to “multitude of the Jews.” “And some of the Pharisees from among the multitude said unto him, Master, rebuke thy disciples.” “And he taught daily in the temple. But the chief priests and the scribes and the chief of the people sought to destroy him.” Luke 19:39,47
This confrontation identifies the key leaders that assembled the crucifixion crowd.
“The Jews” is a title referring to the Jewish leadership, not all Jews. Judaism’s Jerusalem leaders were members of the Sanhedrin, a body of 71 who met in the Great Hall of Stones right beside the Temple. They had authority over all religious matters in the Synagogue and Temple. First century writings prove they were politically corrupt with Rome. Caiphas and Annas were the 3rd and 4th High Priests to be appointed by Rome. The chief priests were financially corrupt as evidenced through archaeological finds revealing the incredible luxury of their homes. Over a hundred years before Jesus a cult of Jewish purists, the Essences, had abandoned the corruption of the Jerusalem Sanhedrin and priestly class to establish Qumran at the Dead Sea, where they producing the dead Sea Scrolls.
The Jewish Talmud even records the corruption of the first century priesthood. One For Israel Ministry documents this in an article: The Untold Reason That Jewish People Do Not Believe that Jesus is the Messiah. “According to Tractate Yoma 8 and 9, the high priests bought their position from the political rulers and took turns every year. In other words, the Sages themselves admit that the spiritual leadership at Jesus’ time was corrupt. They used to harass the people without mercy. The way the NT writings describe the level of corruption that the Rabbis and priests had reached during the Second Temple period is being backed up both from historical sources and the Talmud itself. This is what Jesus fought against. And because of that he was rejected by the religious leaders.”
Who was in the Crucifixion Day crowd?
They were the elites. The crucifixion crowd was not the Palm Sunday crowd.
I have given emphasis to them in the following by upper case:
Sunday’s crowd said He is the King Messiah. The crucifixion day crowd said, We have no king but Caesar. Sunday’s crowd saw His miracles and they believed. The crucifixion day crowd had plotted to kill Him.
We all have to decide which crowd we are going to side with, the one who believes and follows Him in light or the ones who mock Him in the darkness. We all crucified Jesus by our sin. Peter believed, then denied Him in fear but wept in repentance. Judas betrayed, sold Him out, led others to reject Him and then took his own life.
Has your voice proclaimed Hail Him Messiah as Savior? Is you voice silent or saying “Crucify Him”?