This statement by the crowd at Jesus’ trial represents the greatest double entendre of all time—on the one hand tragic and on the other hand wonderful. Little did they realize the magnitude of either side of the irony!

On the one hand, it was tragic in that they were removing all possible future defense or alibi for their actions. They were declaring full responsibility, conscious and deliberate, for the death of an innocent man. Yet the leaders also admitted that they knew Jesus was a teacher sent from God (John 3:1). So, they were defiantly accepting the responsibility and any consequence for rejecting God Himself. In their blindness, their cocky self-assuredness was nothing short of absolute foolishness. They inadvertently provided damning evidence from their own mouths for their own judgment and condemnation.

The religious leaders later tried to backpedal with the apostles, “We gave you strict orders not to continue teaching in this name, and yet, you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and intend to bring this man’s blood upon us” (Acts 5:28). But, not letting them off the hook, Peter and the apostles answered, “We must obey God rather than men. The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom you had put to death by hanging Him on a cross. He is the one whom God exalted to His right hand as a Prince and a Savior, to grant repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins. And we are witnesses of these things; and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey Him.” (Acts 5:29-32). They were guilty and there were eyewitnesses to prove it!

Further, tragically, they fully and consciously pass on their guilt to their children. To be sure, they were using a colloquial expression to assert the forcefulness of their statement, but the truth is that subsequent generations of the Jewish people have continued to reject Christ as a spiritual imposter.

Yet, on the other hand, their statement, “His blood shall be on us …” reflected a wonderful truth to which they were completely blind. For it was the shedding of Jesus’ blood that gave them the only hope of salvation. The writer of Hebrews put it this way, “According to the law … without shedding of blood there is no forgiveness” (Heb 9:22). And, “For it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins” (Heb 10:3-4). But Jesus’ death provided the perfect sacrifice for sin, the only hope of salvation, as Peter wrote, “… you were not redeemed with perishable things like silver or gold from your futile way of life inherited from your forefathers, but with precious blood, as of a lamb unblemished and spotless, the blood of Christ (1 Peter 1:18-19).

Lord, thank You for the wonderful way in which You procure our salvation!