Why did Jesus die on the cross? Some claim that Jesus got caught up in an illegal conspiracy against the Roman Empire. He claimed to be a king, and the Roman government did not appreciate that. So they arrested him and killed him. On that view, Jesus was a rebel, a criminal, a Jewish zealot, and he met the end that normally happens to those kind of people. He was just one of many hundreds or thousands whom the Roman government crucified for various crimes.

Others suggest that Jesus was a fraud, a phony, a false teacher. On that view, Jesus died because of his own sin. He claimed to be the Messiah but he was not. He did not bring in his glorious kingdom because he was not the king. He was a mistaken and perhaps an insane false teacher who ran afoul of the Roman justice system. Ultimately, he died because of his fraudulent and mistaken claims about himself.

Muslims claim that Jesus did not really die on the cross. God hid him, and another man was crucified in his place.

If we take the NT seriously, such claims are ridiculous and blasphemous. He was not a rebel against the Roman government, nor was he a false prophet. He certainly did die on the cross. But he did not die because of his illegal behavior or his erroneous teaching.

Then why did he die? Let’s consider the intent and effects of Jesus’ death.