Jews are not to blame for death of Jesus?

[John_S2000]

The Pope has exonerated Jewish people for the Crucifixion and death of Jesus.

In extracts released from his forthcoming book on Christ, Pope Benedict XVI has addressed one of the most controversial issues of Christianity by saying Jews bore no culpability.

To read this news:
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1362185/Pope-Benedict-XVI-Jews-blame-death-Jesus.html
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-12634176

I've read few years ago a passage by St John Chrysostome on Lent and the Holy Week, explaining reasons for the Church decision to celebrate the Feast of Resurrection a week later than the Jewish Crossover, in which he wrote 'the killer nation' speaking of the Jews people of the time, who before Pontius Pilatus were shouting asking him for the death sentence of Jesus Christ by crucifixion.

My questions are: what is the Orthodox opinion on this matter and what is the wisdom in Pope Benedict's analysis? Why did Christ suffering His Passion on the Cross ask the Father to forgive them if they were not guilty? Also aren't we all guilty anyway?

GBU

[epiphania]

I think this is just a political stance the Catholic church must take.

and you're right. Does it matter anyway? Its not like anyone forced Him to die against His will. And we're all responsible.

I don't really understand why bring this up right now anyways.

[dzheremi]

I don't understand why this statement was made, either. On a different (Catholic) message board I sometimes post on (it's a leftover habit from when I was Catholic, I guess) I posted a video of an interview by HH Pope Shenouda III where HH rightly says "Why is the Vatican apologizing? The New Testament the Jews are guilty. Is the Vatican against the New Testament?" I think this is a completely reasonable question to ask, because the NT does say that, so it's not up to Pope Benedict or anyone to pronounce them free of guilt (and hence go against the NT).

The response of the Catholics to HH's point was incredibly negative. One said they were shocked that the Pope of Alexandria would "learn towards Iran" () and called HH's opinion "pathetic".

Father, forgive the Catholics, too. Such a Church of heretical indifference to your Holy Word cannot show spiritual depth in its pronouncements. It simply doesn't produce it.

[lightening]

this is a good question and a good answer to it cannot be contained in a few sentences. i have written a whole (academic) paper trying to answer the question 'who is responsible for Jesus' death?'. i would like to make it available but am aware i could not post it here. so i am open to suggestions as to how to go about it...

[Pharaoh714]

As Christians we are not here to take revenge on Jews for the Death of Christ... Christs death means our Salvation, If Christ wasn't Crucified would we be saved?

If Christ wanted people who represent him (Christians) to take revenge would He have forgiven the Jews and the Romans on the Cross?

Isn't our Church founded by the Jews our Apostles were they not Jews?

I think statements like these are made because Jews were persecuted throughout history.

[John_S2000]

Christians should not take revenge, God does.

My question is not about that but about denying Biblical and historical facts, with the resulting spread of doubts among multitudes about the correct interpretation of true Biblical verses.

Pharaoh714,
Judah's treason helped much in sending Christ to His death sentence. If he did not commit suicide and even if he repented, would you still state he was not guilty? If a murderer repents will this spare him the justice of the court's sentence?

St Paul confessed and publicly admitted his guiltiness of persecuting the Early Church.

GBU

[John_S2000]

Matthew 27
24 When Pilate saw that he could not prevail at all, but rather that a tumult was rising, he took water and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, “I am innocent of the blood of this just Person. You see to it.”
25 And all the people answered and said, “His blood be on us and on our children.”
26 Then he released Barabbas to them; and when he had scourged Jesus, he delivered Him to be crucified.

These verses show what was said by the Jews incriminating themselves. There is no way to state the events differently, just wanted to share this.

GBU

[MarchMadness]

To say the jews killed Jesus is the same as saying the Germans killed the Jews.  I see where Benedict is coming from.  We say apostles from the Holy Land went to all nations to spread the gospel.  But why don't we say "the Jews spread the gospel" to all nations?
Yeah, if it weren't for the Jews, you and I wouldn't be Christian today, by the way.

I mean, if you want to blame a certain group of people for your salvation, which was the cross, it's your prerogative, of course.   You think any other nation would have been any different?  Take a look at any protest or mob, and you see how soft minded people can be.  People are easy to join a crowd, but no one ever stands on their own.

The Egyptians enslaved the Jews.  The Spaniards raped Latin America.  The Muslims attacked New York City.  When have generalizations helped anyone? What's the point?  Get over it, already.

[imikhail]

Forgiveness without change of heart is meaningless. If the Jews who cried out "Crucify Him, Crucify Him" realized their error, then yes they would receive forgiveness. Just as the thief realized his error and repented, then he received forgiveness.

When the Jews said "His blood is on us and our children", they were basically saying that our children also agree with our condemnation of this man. Of course, if those children realized the error of their parents, as some did, then they are not guilty in the error of their fathers. However, so long as they have not repented then they are guilty.

What the Holy Spirit spoke of, no one can change. There are numerous verses that condemn the Jews of crucifying the Lord. Jesus Himself condemned them. Who are we to say otherwise.

If a Church teaches something different than what she received from Her master then she is not honest on what was left her.

Thanks.

[MarchMadness]

This is a serious question though it may not sound so:

What benefit is it to you (or whomever) that the jews and their children have the blood of Jesus on their hands?    What does it imply or show, and what is the overall lesson we get from that being true?

[John_S2000]

lol

The issue is not the Jews, it's about twisting the truth when speaking of a well known historical event that's even documented by Jewish historians.

If someone says the Ancient Egyptians never enslaved the people of Israel as God tells us in the Bible, would you still state he's telling you the truth, or rather that he is a plain liar? Would you listen to a news channel that's twisting the facts or tries to embellish them? Would you trust such a channel as a reliable source?

GBU

[dzheremi]

"The Vatican is wrong" - Coptic Church

I should think this closes the issue for all Copts. And I agree with HH Pope Shenouda III. The Bible does say that. The Vatican is just being politically correct by lying (again; just like they do when they say that Muslims and Christians worship the same God). It is disgraceful, even if they don't all really believe it. Sad.

[Ioannes]

Everyone is, but its the fact that those particular Jews did it out of willful ignorance, because Christ was not what they wanted Him to be like.

[imikhail]

What is willful ignorance. There are several passages in the NT showing that the Jewish leadership handed over Jesus for fear of their status.

[Kasatkin fan]

Why does Rome have to give in to this idea that if you say "The Jews did it" that's the same as saying Aaron Cohen down the block holds personal responsibility?

It's sad, and it is altering Tradition for the sake of people who take offense to things which have nothing to do with them.