Crucifixion was a strictly Roman punishment for crimes against the state.  Jesus was upstaging the conventional Jewish political leaders with talk of a new way and they didn't like it, so they called on Rome to crucify Jesus on trumped up charges of divisive speech. 

We're watching a very similar story unfold with Donald Trump, with members of the alt-left calling for his demise.

The Jews were looking for a Messiah who would free them from Roman rule.  They missed it bigly, and they still do.  Jesus continues to be crucified by the alt-left to this day because of his message.