That’s actually a great question. It really was the Jews that condemned him.
But my question has always been why they did not believe he was the messiah?
Off topic but maybe someone has an answer for this also.
For the Jews, there are certain things that HAVE to happen before the Messiah returns. None of these had happened by the time of Jesus.
Plus, more likely, The Jewish PTB had no intention of giving up power.
“But my question has always been why they did not believe he was the messiah?”
Frankly I’ve always doubted that I’d have walked away from the Torah for some guy claiming to be the Messiah. That’s a big step for anyone with any responsibility.
Yeah, it’s like He miraculously cured this poor guy’s hand, and the Jews, instead of being amazed and happy about this, griped that He healed on the Sabbath! Talk about missing the point. All I can figure is that it was all meant to be, so they pretty much HAD to not believe in Him.
“But my question has always been why they did not believe he was the messiah?”
Why do you assume they didn’t know He was the Messiah? Jesus indicated they knew exactly who He was in the parable of the tenants and landlord: The tenants beat the servant sent to collect the rents (comparable to the treatment of some of the prophets), and when the landowner sends his son it is because he thinks they wouldn’t dare treat him disrespectfully. The tenants, on the other hand, view him as the heir to the lands and kill him fully knowing who he was. They knew He was the Messiah, and rejected Him with extreme prejudice.
People today want to cloud this whole issue because the truth is uncomfortable.