Blood curse
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The blood curse is a New Testament passage (Template:Bibleverse) that has provoked considerable controversy. The passage is not mentioned in the other gospels (Mark, Luke, John).
Versions of the scriptural quotation
- Ιδων δε ο Πιλατος οτι ουδεν ωφελει αλλα μαλλον θορυβος γινεται, λαβων υδωρ απενιψατο τας χειρας απεναντι του οχλου, λεγων αθωος ειμι απο του αιματος του δικαιου τουτου; υμεις οψεσθε. Και αποκριθεις πας ο λαος ειπεν, το αιμα αυτου εφ ημας και επι τα τεκνα ημων. Greek New Testament
- Videns autem Pilatus quia nihil proficeret sed magis tumultus fieret, accepta aqua lavit manus coram populo, dicens innocens ego sum a sanguine iusti huius: vos videritis. Et respondens universus populus dixit: Sanguis eius super nos et super filios nostros. Vulgate
- When Pilate saw that he could not prevail, but rather that a tumult was beginning, he took water and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, "I am innocent of the blood of this just person. See ye to it." Then answered all the people and said, "His blood be on us, and on our children!" (KJV)
- When Pilate saw that he was getting nowhere, but that instead an uproar was starting, he took water and washed his hands in front of the crowd. "I am innocent of this man's blood," he said. "It is your responsibility!" All the people answered, "Let his blood be on us and on our children!" (NIV)
- So when Pilate saw that he could do nothing, but rather that a riot was beginning, he took some water and washed his hands before the crowd, saying, "I am innocent of this man's blood; see to it yourselves." Then the people as a whole answered, "His blood be on us and on our children!" (NRSV)
- When Pilate saw that he was accomplishing nothing, but rather that a riot was starting, he took water and washed his hands in front of the crowd, saying, "I am innocent of this Man's blood; see to that yourselves." And all the people said, "His blood shall be on us and on our children!" (NASB)
Interpretations
This verse has been used by Christians (especially in periods of heightened anti-Semitism) to justify discrimination regarding Jews, blaming them for the murder of Christ. Liberal Christian theologians have consistently disagreed with this interpretation. However, many (particularly Conservative Christians) interpret the verse as evidence that Jews are responsible for the murder of Jesus
It is possible that Matthew, the author of the Gospel in which the words appear, understood them to be an ironic echo of Template:Bibleverse, in which Moses, after reading the Book of the Covenant to his people, sprinkles sacrificial blood on them as a means of ratifying the covenant. Interpreted thus, the words would have actually been an unintentional expression of desire for ratification of the New Covenant.
The blood curse should not be confused with the blood libel, an anti-Semitic belief that is not based on Scripture.