Gibson's gaffe. Mel Gibson needs to take a history class.

Jewsweek ^ | 7/31/03 | Regenstein

[DPB101]

Gibson's gaffe. Mel Gibson needs to take a history class. It was the Romans, not the Jews, who were the Christ killers.

The flood of recent articles and publicity on Mel Gibson's forthcoming movie on Jesus' crucifixion have failed to mention the most important point about this controversy: if the movie does tell the truth about the cruelty and brutality of Jesus' crucifixion, it will make it clear that it was the Romans, not the Jews, who are the real "Christ killers".

According to the Christian Bible ( the "New Testament", especially the Gospel of Mark), Jesus, his family, and virtually all of his followers and disciples at the time were Jews. Jesus preached almost exclusively to the Jews ("the multitudes"), who dined and walked with him. It was his popularity with the Jewish people that caused Jesus to be killed by the ruling Roman authorities; and it was Jews who took Jesus off the cross, prepared him for "burial," mourned him, and then got the blame for the crime.

While a small clique of Jewish collaborators in the ruling classes are purported to have urged the Romans on, they had no real political power, all of which was held by the ruling Romans. All accounts make it clear that it was Romans who condemned Jesus to death, tortured him, put a crown of thorns on his head, spat on him, crucified him, even ran him through with a sword, fearing that this popular Jewish reformer with a huge Jewish following was a threat to Roman law and order.

The Romans went on to kill Jesus' closest disciples Peter and Paul, along with countless other Jewish "Christians", and eventually killed or expelled from the region almost all of the Jews, thus setting the stage for 2,000 years of Jewish suffering and persecution, and for the violence and territorial disputes that plague the Holy Land today.

It is unfortunate that Gibson's movie will apparently fail to make it clear who really killed Jesus, and instead will repeat the ancient blood libels that actually contradict the New Testament's account of the murder, and which have been used since that time to stir up hatred for Jesus' own people.

Indeed, the New Testament account of these events could be used to discredit Gibson's movie, which he claims is based on the truthful version of events as set forth in the Christian bible.

[mdittmar]

Catholic school,never a hint of who's fault,only that He died for us.

[breakem]

I believe that God sent his son to die for our sins. So it is clear to me that we're all indirectly responsible and that God is directly responsible. He used the Romans and Jews to do the deed.

[breakem]

I believe that God sent his son to die for our sins. So it is clear to me that we're all indirectly responsible and that God is directly responsible. He used the Romans and Jews to do the deed.

[LiteKeeper]

The Romans drove the nails into Him; but it was the Jews who called for His execution.

[tom h]

"It was the Romans, not the Jews, who were the Christ killers."

Un-frickin-believable. This guy must be reading the same translation that says God endorses homosexuality. But let's not get too excited -- Newsweek will get lots of letters to the editor about it and the moron will be set straight.

The Jews (specifically, the Pharisees) accused Jesus and the Romans, only very reluctantly, carried out the Jews' request in order to keep down the possibility of a riot. Saying that the Romans killed Jesus but the Jews didn't have a role is like saying that the guy that flipped the switch at the electric chair killed the condemned, but the arresting officer, the jury, and the prosecutor didn't have a role.

Morons surround us.

[DPB101]

I grew up a strict Chicago Catholic and it wasn't until I moved to a Jewish neighbors in Maryland at the age of 40 did I first hear that the Jews killed Christ.

Not Catholic but I had the same experience. The only people I have heard say that are Jews who say Christians say that. Had the same experience regarding gays and race. I've not heard the things attributed to conservatives on those subjects from anyone but gays, blacks and liberals.

[xrp]

Yes - didn't Pilate declare that there was no cause to bring charges against Jesus? And the crowds, most likely spurred on by the chief priests and teachers of the law, shouted ,"Crucify! Crucify!".

Indeed. Fascinating isn't it? A 2,000 year old warning of the dangers of democracy versus the liberty of a republic.

[Snuffington]

Gibson's gaffe. Mel Gibson needs to take a history class. It was the Romans, not the Jews, who were the Christ killers.

I wish the customary idiots would drop this line of reasoning. It's nonsensical on its face.

The New Testament is quite clear. The Romans crucified Christ, but would not have done so save for the pleadings of certain prominent Jewish officials.

However, this is all beside the point. Jesus died for the sins of all mankind. That's the true reason for his crucifixion. This is basic Christian theology.

[Burkeman1]

Gaffe? What Gaffe? If the movie follows the Gospels it will not show that the "Jews" killed Christ- we all did! I simply don't get what the ADL and other Jewish groups are worried about? I am really getting upset by this slander on Gibson and his attempt to portray the central and defining event of the Christian faith. Is it a cheap attempt to scare Jewish Americans and keep alive organizations that have long outlived their usefulness? Jesus was born to die on the cross so that all sins could be forgiven. Without the suffering and death of Jesus on the Cross there would be no Christian faith. Christians don't sit around and debate "who killed Jesus" for without his death and resurection there would be no Christian faith!

[Varda]

As an army brat I attended Catechism several places in the US and in Europe (in the 50's and 60's). I was also an adult before I heard (also from Jewish sources) that Christians believed that "Jews" (as in all Jews) were responsible for the death of Christ.

[Fifth Business]

I don't know why people bother with blame. It was necessary for it all to happen the way it did.

And it has a happy ending. Just keep reading.

[StriperSniper]

Probably not.

[Maelstrom]

Early next year...perhaps in time for Good Friday.

[Skalven]

And can it be that I should gain
An interest in the Saviour's blood?
Died He for me, who caused his pain?
For me, who Him to death pursued?
Amazing love! How can it be
That Thou, my God, shouldst die for me!

Amazing love, indeed.

[Blood of Tyrants]

Come on. This guy MUST be a lawyer.

The Jews made the accusations and urged the Romans to find Jesus guilty and then to crucify him. The Pharases brought false witness against another the son of God that resulted in his death. If I were God, I would be a tad upset.

That being said, I hold no animosity toward the Jews. The bible fortold that they would do exactly what they did.

[Bommer]

The Romans Crusified Christ, but it was the Jews that wanted him killed....BADLY! They even welcomed the curse to have his blood be on themselves and their children. They could have chose the Son of God, but wanted a theif and murderer instead.

[Russian Sage]

I did not realize Herod was a Roman, stupid of me!

Actually, Herod was an Edomite, neither Jew nor Roman.

[Natural Law]

Christ broke no Roman laws. The Romans performed all executions as a public display of the superiority of Roman authority. Christ would have stayed beneath the radar screen had the Sanhedrin not arrested and presented him to the Roman authorities. The Roman support of the Sanhedrin was in exchange for their promise to quell civil unrest. The Romans wanted a peaceful and prosperous Judeah, it was good for business.

[Jorge]

Gibson's gaffe. Mel Gibson needs to take a history class. It was the Romans, not the Jews, who were the Christ killers.

Nonsense. It was the Jews who had Jesus arrested, and insisted on His execution for violating their religious laws against blasphemey.

The Romans had no interest in executing Jesus. They only did so under pressure from the Jews.

Pilot himself said he found no fault in Jesus to deserve death and washed his hands to symbolize that it was NOT his decision..but the Jews that Jesus die.

In fact the Jews responded to Pilot by saying "let His blood be on our heads".

The Jews are directly responsible for the execution of Jesus..and the Romans were just the channel of authority they needed to take in order to make it happen.

Mel Gibson is right.

[old school]

"Indeed, the New Testament account of these events could be used to discredit Gibson's movie, which he claims is based on the truthful version of events as set forth in the Christian bible."

This guy is, decidedly, an idiot. But, of course he writes for a left/liberal publication!