Blood curse

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The blood curse is a New Testament passage (Matthew 27:24-25) that has provoked considerable controversy.

Versions of the scriptural quotation

  • 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 some Christians, especially in periods of heightened anti-Semitism, to justify repression of Jews ("the people" in the above quotations), blaming them collectively and specially for the death of Jesus Christ (the "just person" or "this man"). Mainstream Christian theologians today disagree with this interpretation. However, some interpreters still regard the verse as evidence that some Jews were personally responsible for the crucifixion of Jesus. Others consider any idea of Jewish responsibility to be anti-Semitic.

It is extremely likely that the author of the Gospel in which the words appear understood them to be an ironic echo of Exodus 24:8, 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.

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