Matthew 27:25 - Printer Friendly

ESV: And all the people answered, "His blood be on us and on our children!"

NIV: All the people answered, "His blood is on us and on our children!"

NASB: And all the people replied, 'His blood shall be on us and on our children!'

CSB: All the people answered, "His blood be on us and on our children!"

NLT: And all the people yelled back, 'We will take responsibility for his death — we and our children!'

KJV: Then answered all the people, and said, His blood be on us, and on our children.

NKJV: And all the people answered and said, “His blood be on us and on our children.”

This verse is at once terrifying, thoughtless, and sad. It is also deeply controversial due to its abuse by those promoting "antisemitism:" a hatred of Jewish people. Given that twisted perspective, and nearly twenty centuries of worldwide persecution of the people of Israel, a modern reader might well wince when reading these words.

Jesus was clearly innocent and declared so multiple times by the Roman governor (John 19:4; Luke 23:4, 22). Still, in response to incitement by religious leaders, an assembled mob demanded Jesus be crucified (Matthew 27:22–23). Pilate, the governor, gave in to that pressure with a laughable attempt to avoid taking responsibility (Matthew 27:24). In response to this, the near-rioting crowd makes a dismissive, careless remark about their willingness to bear that blame.

In some ways, all the people of Israel, not merely those present when Jesus was condemned, have suffered terribly ever since the moment depicted in this Scripture. In 70 AD, Rome would bring slaughter and desecration to Jerusalem. The twenty centuries since have included anti-Jewish persecution on every conceivable scale, up to and including the horrors of the holocaust. Scripture nowhere indicates Israel's historic troubles have been a result of their condemnation of Jesus. However, shortly before being arrested, Christ did predict catastrophic judgment was about to fall (Matthew 23:37—24:2). He will make a similar prediction on His way to the execution site (Luke 23:27–31).

The Bible is clear, however, that God has not abandoned His chosen people (Romans 11:1–2). They are still part of God's plan of salvation (Romans 11:26). Nothing in the Bible—implicitly or explicitly—suggests Jewish people are collectively to be blamed for the death of Christ. No part of Scripture supports hatred, persecution, derision, or prejudice against Israel on account of these events. Matthew records a painfully careless remark shouted by a frenzied mob—this has never been any sort of mandate for future generations to follow.

Matthew 27:11–26 describes Jesus' trial before the Roman governor, Pontius Pilate. The Jewish religious leaders are asking Pilate to condemn Jesus to death, hurling accusations. Pilate is amazed that Jesus remains silent, barely saying anything in His own defense. Pilate offers the Passover crowds the choice between releasing Jesus or releasing Barabbas. They choose Barabbas and call for Jesus to be crucified. Pilate recognizes the obvious feud driving this persecution; he is more concerned with civil order than with justice. He agrees to execute Jesus while claiming no responsibility for the decision. Further details are found in Mark 15:1–15, Luke 23:1–25, and John 18:28—19:16.

When Judas learns Jesus has been condemned, he regrets betraying the Lord. He throws down his ill-gotten money and hangs himself. Jesus is taken to Pilate, who finds nothing to charge Him with. Given the choice, the people shout for the release of a convicted murderer and insist on Jesus' death. Jesus is mocked by a battalion of soldiers and then taken to be crucified. On the cross, He is mocked for not being able to save Himself. After three hours of darkness, Jesus dies. He is buried by a rich follower in a new tomb. This location is tightly guarded to prevent anyone from stealing the body.

Matthew 27 begins with an official meeting of the Jewish ruling council. They affirm Jesus' condemnation from the previous night, described in chapter 26. Judas confesses his betrayal and hangs himself. Pilate tries to release Jesus, but the mob shouts for Jesus to be crucified. Jesus is humiliated by Roman soldiers and marched to be executed. On the cross, He is mocked by Jewish religious leaders and others. He dies and is buried in a never-used tomb. Extensive efforts to secure His body from being stolen only serve to prove the miraculous nature of His resurrection, which is detailed in chapter 28.

The Gospel of Matthew clearly shows the influence of its writer's background, and his effort to reach a specific audience. Matthew was one of Jesus' twelve disciples, a Jewish man, and a former tax collector. This profession would have required literacy, and Matthew may have transcribed some of Jesus' words as they were spoken. This book is filled with references to the Old Testament, demonstrating to Israel that Jesus is the Promised One. Matthew also includes many references to coins, likely due to his former profession. Matthew records extensive accounts of Jesus' teaching, more than the other three Gospels.