Why was Jesus crucified?

Many claim the charge against Jesus was that He called Himself “The King of the Jews.” After all, Pilate had used that question in the trial of Jesus, and when Jesus was crucified, Pilate had the charge against Jesus posted above His head saying, “This is the King of the Jews.”

This claim of being a king was interpreted as sedition—a suspected revolution, likely to become an armed riot or conflict. “Self-appointed kings” were viewed by the Romans as a threat. The fact that Jesus seemed to be “stirring up the people” (inciting unrest), and misinterpretations of His discussions about things like the destruction of the temple and paying taxes to Caesar, were considered contributing evidence to the fact that Jesus was on a course to overthrow the Romans.

Where we get confused

A couple of interesting and confusing things come from all of that.

• First, the Jewish leaders actually argued with Pilate over the wording on the sign. They said it should read, “this man says he is King of the Jews.” Interestingly, Pilate overrode them, saying, “What I have said, I have said.” Which seems to indicate that Pilate truly felt that Jesus was the King. And he was right.
• A second confusing issue is someone mentioned in the gospels who is referred to as King Herod. Herod the great was in fact King over the territory we think of as Judea (modern Israel) during this period. And yet Herod was allowed to continue to serve and hold the title of King without any legal repercussions.

The best information we have about the charges against Jesus is from the Gospels and the historical writings of Roman scholars Flavius Josephus and Tacitus.

Here is some useful background information to help "fill in the blanks":

Herod’s Title Came From Rome

Herod the Great didn’t just call himself king—he was officially appointed by the Roman Senate around 40 BC.

• Rome gave him the title “King of the Jews”
• He ruled as a client king (a puppet ruler under Roman authority)
• His job was to keep peace and collect taxes for Rome

👉 In other words, Herod’s kingship was authorized and useful to Rome, not a challenge to it.


Jesus’ Title Was Seen as a Rival Claim

Jesus Christ was called “King of the Jews” in a very different context:

• The title was associated with Messianic prophecy (a coming king who would rule Israel)
• Many Jews expected this king to liberate them from Rome
• Roman authorities (like Pontius Pilate) saw this as potential rebellion

That’s why in the Gospel accounts...

• Pilate asks Jesus directly: “Are you the king of the Jews?”
• The charge placed on the cross reads: “King of the Jews” (INRI)

👉 From Rome’s perspective, this wasn’t a matter of theology—it was treason.


The Key Difference: Threat Level

Herod as a King vs. Jesus as a King was, the the Romans, a matter of expedience: was this Kingship going to be subordinate to the Roman emperor or not.
Here is the difference as viewed from a Roman leadership point of view:

Herod as King

• Backed by Rome
• Loyal to Rome
• Maintained order
• No threat

Jesus as King

• Followed by crowds
• Talk of a “kingdom”
• Seen (rightly or wrongly) as a possible revolutionary
• Potential threat

Even though Jesus said:
“My kingdom is not of this world” (John 18:36), Rome didn’t want to take chances with anyone who might inspire uprising.


Crucifixion Was for Rebellion, Not Theology

Crucifixion was a Roman punishment specifically for:

• Rebels
• Insurrectionists
• Slaves who resisted authority

Rome didn't accept protests or any challenge to "business as usual." Rebellion was a disruption, and regional governors (like Pilate) could lose their jobs—and possibly their lives—if a rebellion cropped up under their watch.

👉 Jesus was executed not for “being religious,” but because He was presented as a political threat, even if misunderstood.


Irony in the Story

There’s a powerful irony here:

• Herod was called “King of the Jews” by political power
• Jesus was called “King of the Jews” by truth—but rejected

Rome supported one… and crucified the other.


Bottom Line

Herod was allowed to remain as a King because:

• His title came from Rome
• He served Rome’s interests

Jesus was executed for being called a King because:

• His title implied a competing authority
• Rome saw even the possibility of rebellion as dangerous