to maryhelena,
The JC historicists want a human on that cross - they want a flesh and blood man executed by Roman agents. Then they need to be presented with a historical Roman execution. A Roman execution of a King of the Jews. That is what the gospels say: ''And the superscription of his accusation was written over, THE KING OF THE JEWS.''
To knock down a theory that is so engrained can't be done by offering alternatives. It's necessary to go for the jugular - the weak point in the theory.
The JC historicists do not WANT a human on the cross. The evidence, from Paul's letters, to the earliest gospel, to Tacitus' Annals, dictate that to them. And only Romans were allowed to crucify non-Romans in those days.
This "King of Jews" is not a weak point for my (very documented) reconstruction (mostly what is left after the deconstructions). On the contrary, it is essential for the (after Jesus' death) beginning of Christianity, which started among Jews. And how a humble non-educated Jew became thought as the King-to-be?
How many times I showed that? from
http://historical-jesus.info/digest.html
1) Right after Pilate took over as procurator (and/or prefect) in Judea (fall of 26CE), there is an unprecedented series of events in Jerusalem & Cesarea (Josephus' Wars II, IX, 2-3 & Ant., XVIII, III, 1), with exceptionally good outcomes, inviting the Jews to think God is back looking after them. Also, this episode weakens Pilate's rule, allowing for John the Baptist (JtB) and the many Jews going to him (and later a certain royal welcome near Jerusalem) (HJ-1b).
2) JtB attracts large crowds for a few months (spring of 27CE), preaching God's Kingdom (of the old prophecies) is near, better to be "cleansed" in order to avoid the accompanying God's wrath (HJ-1b).
3) Jesus enters here, so far as a lower class, uneducated, rural Jew from Galilee (HJ-1a).
He stays around JtB, among others (HJ-1b).
4) Jesus goes to Capernaum right after JtB's arrest. Then two small successive events happen on Sabbath day, creating a short-lived hysteria around Jesus' alleged healing power (HJ-2a).
5) After Jesus is credited to have healed a man with skin disease (in the nearby villages), another hysteria takes hold and gets known all the way to Jerusalem (80 miles away) and beyond (HJ-2a).
6) Peripherally, Jesus talks about a (down to earth) message well adapted to the times (right after JtB's one: "Kingdom to come") and his milieu (rural Galilee): the Kingdom is coming soon (on earth) and it will benefit only the poor (Jews) (HJ-2b).
7) At that time, JtB, rumored to be the future (human) ruler (king) of the Kingdom (HJ-1b), is executed by Herod Antipas (HJ-3a).
8) Then, some Judean/Hellenist activist Jews interpret the healings by Jesus as a Sign; and he is thought to be the One, replacing (or possessed by) JtB (that's not a leap of faith, this part is multi-documented in GMark) (HJ-3a).
9) So, next spring, Jesus gets a "royalish" welcome by some near Jerusalem, days before the Passover (HJ-3a).
10) He feels encouraged enough to do the disturbance ("cleansing" in the temple) (HJ-3a).
11) Because of that (and the welcome), he is soon arrested (abandoned by the Galileans) and crucified (without trials and as a deterrent) with a mocking sign, "the king of the Jews" (spring of 28CE) (HJ-3a).
12) Later, another event (Josephus' Wars II, IX, 4 & Ant., XVIII, III, 2) will make most Jews doubt the Kingdom (to come soon) and re-establish Roman full authority (and fear) over Judea. But some hellenized Jews will keep the hope alive by looking at certain recent events, the Scriptures, Pharisaic beliefs, Philo of Alexandria's writings, etc. ... (see HJ-3b for the post-crucifixion beginning of Christianity)
But Jesus never reigned as King, so (as some Jews would think), he will reign later. But he was crucified. Solution: he was saved alive in heaven and ready to come back when the time will come.
Furthermore, these Jews did not want to be wrong about picking Jesus as the future King.
Cordially, Bernard