The statement “His blood be on us and on our children” from Matthew 27:25 is often misunderstood and taken out of context. A careful examination of the Scripture shows that this statement does not indicate that the Jews are cursed or responsible for Christ’s death.
First, it is important to understand the context. Jesus was on trial before Pilate and the crowd was given a choice to release either Jesus or Barabbas. The crowd chose to release Barabbas, and when Pilate asked what should be done with Jesus, the crowd shouted “Crucify him!” (Matthew 27:22-23). At this point, Pilate washed his hands and declared he was innocent of Jesus’ blood, and the crowd responded, “His blood be on us and on our children!” (Matthew 27:24-25).
This statement was made by a crowd worked up into a frenzy. They were declaring they would take responsibility for the consequences of their actions. However, the crowd does not represent all Jewish people, then or now. The Gospels make clear that Jesus had many Jewish followers. So this crowd speaks only for themselves, not an entire ethnic group.
Additionally, while the crowd declared they would take responsibility, the Bible is clear that it is actually humanity’s sin that made Jesus’ death necessary (Romans 3:23-24, Romans 5:8, 1 Peter 2:24). The crowd may have played a role in the events leading up to the crucifixion, but Jesus was destined to be the sacrifice for the sins of the world.
Furthermore, Peter preached to the Jews at Pentecost that they had killed Jesus out of ignorance, and that through his death and resurrection God’s plan of redemption was fulfilled (Acts 3:17-18). Peter makes a distinction between those who acted in ignorance and the need for all people to repent and believe.
When Jesus cried out from the cross “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do” (Luke 23:34), he showed grace and forgave even those responsible for his crucifixion. If Jesus forgave them, the Jews cannot be cursed or under judgment for Christ’s death.
The Bible clearly teaches that whoever believes in Jesus receives forgiveness and eternal life (John 3:16). Paul affirmed that there is no distinction between Jew and Gentile, as “there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, bestowing his riches on all who call on him” (Romans 10:12). The gospel is good news for all who believe, regardless of ethnicity.
While some have tragically used Matthew 27:25 to justify anti-Semitism over the centuries, this is a distortion of Scripture. Jesus called for his followers to love their neighbors – including the Jewish people – as themselves (Matthew 22:39). There is no place in the Christian faith for hatred or mistreatment of others.
In summary, the statement from the crowd in Matthew 27:25 was made in passion and ignorance. It does not place a generational curse on the Jews or mean they are solely responsible for Christ’s death. Jesus’ own words and actions show he forgave those who crucified him and that his loving sacrifice was for all people who believe in him and receive God’s gift of salvation.
The Jews are not cursed because of the events surrounding Jesus’ crucifixion. We all stand guilty before God and in need of salvation through Christ. As the apostle Paul said, “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus” (Galatians 3:28).
Matthew 27:25 has sadly been used to justify hatred and violence against Jews throughout history. However, this goes completely against the teachings of Jesus Christ. Christians should love their Jewish neighbors and stand against anti-Semitism in all its forms.
While the crowd at Jesus’ trial said “His blood be on us and on our children”, Jesus himself forgave them from the cross. The Bible is clear that Jesus willingly laid down his life for the sins of the world. His sacrificial death was the fulfillment of Isaiah 53 and other prophecies about the suffering servant who would be “pierced for our transgressions” (Isaiah 53:5).
The apostle Peter affirms that the people acted in ignorance, but that through Jesus’ death and resurrection God’s plan was accomplished (Acts 3:17-18). Jesus’ blood washed away Peter’s sins, even though he himself denied Jesus three times.
The apostle Paul says emphatically there is no distinction between Jew and Gentile (Romans 10:12). The gospel is good news for both Jew and Gentile who put their faith in Jesus Christ (Romans 1:16). Ethnicity does not determine a person’s standing before God.
Jesus’ death was no accident of history. It was part of God’s predetermined plan from before the foundation of the world to redeem humanity from the curse of sin (1 Peter 1:18-21). Jesus willingly laid down his life for his sheep (John 10:11-18).
While the Jewish religious leaders and Roman authorities played a role in Jesus’ crucifixion, the blame ultimately lies with each individual’s sin. We each contributed to and benefit from Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross. As Isaiah 53:6 says, “All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned—every one—to his own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all.”
The apostle John emphasizes that it is those who believe in Jesus who are children of God, not those who are born physically descended from Abraham (John 1:12-13). Jewish descent does not guarantee salvation. Jews, like everyone else, need to accept Jesus as their Messiah.
Paul explains in Romans 11 that many of the Jewish people have been hardened to the gospel, but this hardening is not permanent. There will be a future redemption of Israel when the fullness of the Gentiles has come in (Romans 11:25-27). God still has purposes to fulfill with the Jewish nation.
While some individual Jews and Gentiles played a role in Jesus’ death, Romans 3:23 makes clear that “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” Jesus’ death was God’s plan to provide salvation to both Jew and Gentile who believe in Him (John 3:16-17).
The book of Hebrews says that Jesus “endured the cross, despising the shame” for the joy set before him (Hebrews 12:2). Although Jesus was mocked, spit on, and treated horribly, he willingly endured it in obedience to the Father so that sinners could be redeemed.
1 Corinthians 2:8 says that “None of the rulers of this age understood this, for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.” Both Jew and Gentile contributed to Jesus’ death, but God used their evil actions to accomplish his good purpose.
While Matthew 27:25 has been used to justify hatred of the Jewish people tragically throughout history, this goes completely against Jesus’ own teaching to “love your neighbor as yourself” (Matthew 22:39). Persecution of Jews has no place in Christianity.
Jesus’ sacrificial death on the cross paid for the sins of all mankind (1 John 2:2). As he died, Jesus prayed “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do” (Luke 23:34). If Jesus forgave even his executioners, surely the Jewish people are not cursed for killing him.
Salvation comes not by ethnicity but by grace through faith (Ephesians 2:8-9). As Paul proclaimed, “The righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe…For there is no distinction: for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:22-23).
While the crowd at Jesus’ trial ACCEPTED BLAME by declaring “His blood be on us and on our children” (Matthew 27:25), this does not CURSE future generations. Ezekiel 18:20 declares that children will not be punished for their father’s sins. Salvation depends on each individual’s response.
Though Jesus was condemned and betrayed by Jewish leaders, the apostle Peter preached that they had acted in ignorance. Through Jesus’ death and resurrection, God’s plan was fulfilled (Acts 3:17-18). What man intended for evil, God used for good (Genesis 50:20).
Romans 11:1 asks rhetorically: “Has God rejected His people? By no means!” Paul says a remnant of Israel has always believed, and Jews will someday be grafted back into their own olive tree when the fullness of the Gentiles has come in (Romans 11:5, 23).
While the Jewish people are not cursed, neither do they have any special favoritism. Romans 2:25-29 explains that true Jewishness is not outward circumcision but inward circumcision of the heart by the Spirit. Being born Jewish does not guarantee salvation.
In summary, the Bible clearly teaches that Jesus’ sacrificial death was God’s plan to save humanity from sin. The Jewish people are not cursed or rejected by God. Like all people, they need to believe in Jesus to receive salvation. Tragically, some Christians have misused Matthew 27:25 to justify anti-Semitism, but this is completely unbiblical.