Is The New Testament Antisemitic?
For centuries, the New Testament (or the Christian Bible) has been used to stir antisemitism among Christians and is, therefore, a source of pain for the Jewish people. We want to look at the most prevalent of these passages to see if they are truly antisemitic. We have written this article so that you can judge for yourself if the Christian scriptures are negative toward Jewish people. Likewise, we ask our Christian audience to familiarize themselves with how the verses listed below have been, and continue to be, weaponized against Jewish people.
1. John 8:44
“Jesus said to them, “If God were your Father, you would love me, for I came from God and I am here. I came not of my own accord, but he sent me. Why do you not understand what I say? It is because you cannot bear to hear my word. You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father’s desires.” (Joh 8:42-44, ESV)
Is this passage antisemitic? First, consider this. Many Jewish people were very favorable toward Jesus in the New Testament and Jesus was favorable toward them. Take his Jewish disciples and his mother Mary, as examples. A thorough reading of just the first four books of the New Testament gives us numerous accounts of Jesus showing and communicating great love for the Jewish people around him. In the eighth chapter of John, Jesus rebukes those who contest his teaching about sin in verses 34-43 and uses the already stated metaphor of sonship to make a hyperbolic remark, calling them sons of the devil rather than Abraham. He was neither stating that they were actual sons of the devil nor was he saying that all Jews for all time were from the devil. Was this antisemitic anger, or was this a Jew named Jesus arguing heatedly with other Jews on the topic of sin? It appears to be the latter.
2. Revelation 2:9 and 3:9
“I know your tribulation and your poverty (but you are rich) and the slander of those who say that they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan.” (Rev 2:9, ESV)
Likewise: “Behold, I will make those of the synagogue of Satan who say that they are Jews and are not, but lie—behold, I will make them come and bow down before your feet, and they will learn that I have loved you.” (Rev 3:9, ESV)
Some theologians believe that John (the Jewish author of Revelation) was rejecting those Gentiles who were pretending to be Jews. (The Jewish Annotated New Testament, pg 543) Other historically accurate and acceptable possibilities include; John opposing Jews who were extremely hateful to Jewish followers of Jesus, and Jews that were acting in stark opposition to halachic law. Regardless of who the individuals were, contextually there is no indication that John is calling all Jews or all Synagogues Satanic. These passages do not then support Christian antisemitism.
3. Matthew Chapter 27
“Now the chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowd to ask for Barabbas and destroy Jesus. The governor again said to them, “Which of the two do you want me to release for you?” And they said, “Barabbas.” Pilate said to them, “Then what shall I do with Jesus who is called Christ?” They all said, “Let him be crucified!” And he said, “Why? What evil has he done?” But they shouted all the more, “Let him be crucified!” So when Pilate saw that he was gaining nothing, but rather that a riot was beginning, he took water and washed his hands before the crowd, saying, “I am innocent of this man’s blood; see to it yourselves.” And all the people answered, “His blood be on us and our children!” Then he released for them Barabbas, and having scourged Jesus, delivered him to be crucified.” (Mat 27:20-26, ESV)
Some Christian commentators assume that when the Jewish crowd in this passage calls for Jesus’ crucifixion, they invoked a curse upon themselves that carried forth to Jews throughout all generations. This of course has been used to stoke antisemitism among Christians throughout the centuries. However, in the text we see only a small group of those Jews present at Jesus’ sentencing calling for his crucifixion, and they willingly invoked the curse upon themselves. Jesus neither deems all Jews accursed nor does he consequently deem them objects of God’s wrath. Jesus forgave those who demanded his crucifixion, stating they did so without understanding their actions. (Lk 23:34)
Did The Jews Kill Jesus?
The idea that “the Jews” killed Jesus often accompanies the above claim. Jesus very clearly states in opposition to this that “no one takes it (his life) from me, but I lay it down of my own accord”. (John 10:18)
Admittedly other verses are used to demonize Jewish people in the Christian scriptures. However, by accounting for context and using a bit of logic, we can see that New Testament passages appearing to be negative toward Jewish people are in no way intended to be so.
– JJ