How Could they not know?
 

Have you ever wondered how the devils did not know that Jesus was the Messiah?

He was the only one born of a virgin.

He was the only one forgiving sins.

Although some prophets of old, raised the dead and did some healings. But Jesus had a ministry of healing all kinds of diseases and casting out demons.

He even had to rebuke the demons from disclosing who He was when the Gaderene was delivered of the many demons he was possesed with.

Knowing all of this how could they have not known Jesus was the Messiah?

Do you think God blinded them to who He was?

Re: How Could they not know?
 

It seems they did know?

Re: How Could they not know?
 

Why do you say that. Isn't there a scripture that says if they had known who He was they would not have crucified him?

Re: How Could they not know?
 

I believe the Scripture teaches...

I Corinthians 2:8
Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.

I believe this refers to the human authorities of Christ's day... not devils. Hell knew who Jesus was and did its part to war against him... but it was mankind who didn't know who Christ was. Had they known who Jesus was they would have surrendered to his spiritual Lordship and not crucified the Lord of Glory.

Re: How Could they not know?
 

Interesting take, Aquila. I always heard that it was talking about the devils... not that they didn't know who Jesus was, but rather that they didn't know that killing Him would not stop Him, but rather start something unstoppable!

Re: How Could they not know?
 

I agree as "archon" also means judges, magistrates and members of the Sanhedrin - according to Vine's.

1 Corinthians 2:8 "Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory."

This is speaking of acts of men and so it would only make sense it was talking about the very people who caused the crucifixion to take place. That wouldn't be the devil.

Re: How Could they not know?
 

I think your idea is probably the closest missouri. One of the earliest atonement theories in christianity was the ransom theory which had some element of trickery in it. In it the devils didn't know Christ would rise again in 3 days after his death so they gladly took him in place of humanity. They knew he was the Christ just not that he would resurrect. It kind of goes along with what happened to Aslan the lion in Narnia.

Re: How Could they not know?
 

It says that about the Jews, not the devils

Re: How Could they not know?
 

1Co 2:6 Yet among the mature we do impart wisdom, although it is not a wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age, who are doomed to pass away.
1Co 2:7 But we impart a secret and hidden wisdom of God, which God decreed before the ages for our glory.
1Co 2:8 None of the rulers of this age understood this, for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.
1Co 2:9 But, as it is written, "What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love him"--
1Co 2:10 these things God has revealed to us through the Spirit. For the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God.
1Co 2:11 For who knows a person's thoughts except the spirit of that person, which is in him? So also no one comprehends the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God.


BTW is Paul saying Jesus is God in calling Him the Lord of Glory?

Re: How Could they not know?
 

Nah Paul isn't calling Jesus God there. But I suppose that's just a matter of opinion on that one huh?

So what makes ya so sure it's speaking about the Jews? Though that is definately a possibility, is it a certainty?

Re: How Could they not know?
 

Well the Jews and the Romans together...they had him crucified.

Paul says the rulers of this world.

Act 3:17 "And now, brothers, I know that you acted in ignorance, as did also your rulers.
Act 3:18 But what God foretold by the mouth of all the prophets, that his Christ would suffer, he thus fulfilled.

Re: How Could they not know?
 

and that makes it a certainty that the passage in question is talking about the Jews?

Re: How Could they not know?
 

What else could it be? Who crucified him?

Act 3:17 "And now, brothers, I know that you acted in ignorance, as did also your rulers.
Act 3:18 But what God foretold by the mouth of all the prophets, that his Christ would suffer, he thus fulfilled.

Mar 15:15 So Pilate, wishing to satisfy the crowd, released for them Barabbas, and having scourged Jesus, he delivered him to be crucified.

Mar 15:24 And they crucified him and divided his garments among them, casting lots for them, to decide what each should take.

Luk 23:13 Pilate then called together the chief priests and the rulers and the people,
Luk 23:14 and said to them, "You brought me this man as one who was misleading the people. And after examining him before you, behold, I did not find this man guilty of any of your charges against him.
Luk 23:15 Neither did Herod, for he sent him back to us. Look, nothing deserving death has been done by him.
Luk 23:16 I will therefore punish and release him."
Luk 23:17 (OMITTED TEXT)
Luk 23:18 But they all cried out together, "Away with this man, and release to us Barabbas"--
Luk 23:19 a man who had been thrown into prison for an insurrection started in the city and for murder.
Luk 23:20 Pilate addressed them once more, desiring to release Jesus,
Luk 23:21 but they kept shouting, "Crucify, crucify him!"

Luk 24:7 that the Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men and be crucified and on the third day rise."

Joh 19:16 So he delivered him over to them to be crucified. So they took Jesus,

Where does the bible every say it was demons, not humans that crucified Him? The evidence therefore is the rulers of the Jews and the Romans

Re: How Could they not know?
 

I've always heard it that the devil did know the why Jesus came. He (they, it) knew that Jesus was to die on the cross. Thats why Herod tried to kill Him at birth. People tried to stone Jesus and everything else, because the devil tried every way he could to stop the crucifixion from taking place. The entire temptation was to try to deter the Lord from His purpose of dying on the cross. I heard it said thats why Plate tried to release Him. The devil didn't want Him to die on the cross.

Re: How Could they not know?
 

I've heard and believe that too.

Re: How Could they not know?
 

You know, just because the devils knew WHO He was does not mean they knew the plan of God. Perhaps they were ignorant that sending him to the cross would work against them

But the bible makes it clear the devils knew who Christ was

Mar 1:23 And immediately there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit. And he cried out,
Mar 1:24 "What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are--the Holy One of God."
Mar 1:25 But Jesus rebuked him, saying, "Be silent, and come out of him!"

Re: How Could they not know?
 

Of course you're right. And I am wrong. I am always wrong. I'm so stooopid. Hee Hee. Just kidding. But, yes, you could be right. However... (you know, I could be, too, ?)... in the temptation of Jesus, the devil:

1. ...knew Jesus was the Son of God. (You are right)

But...

2. He (Ol' Slewfoot) seems to have known the Bible (OT) pretty well, too. And if the devil knew the OT enough to quote Scripture in Matt 4, I'm sure he probably knew Isa 53 as well. I'd say he knew who Jesus was, and I can't help but believe that, since God's plan for the redemption of man was spelled out in OT prophecy, the devil knew that plan quite well, and did his best to try to stop it.

But, then again... I could be wrong.

Re: How Could they not know?
 

Well knowing certain verses does not necessarily mean he knew it all. Further knowing the scriptures does not necessarily mean he understood them all.

God may have clouded his understanding...isn't Satan sometimes a tool for God?

Re: How Could they not know?
 

This is why I enjoy bringing things to AFF. You have presented a different sceniero than what I have ever heard before.

I think there is merit in your thoughts. Perhaps it was the people instead of the devils this scripture is referring too. Makes sense.