Exploring the Misplaced Blame: Why Centuries of Christians Held Jews Accountable for Jesus’ Crucifixion

Antonio Ciseri's “Ecce Homo” vividly illustrates Pontius Pilate presenting Jesus to the Jerusalem populace. This poignant narrative from the Easter story reveals that Pilate condemned Jesus to crucifixion, a punishment frequently meted out to perceived subversives. Throughout history, many Christians shifted blame onto the Jewish people, fostering longstanding antisemitism. The Gospels portray Pilate as initially unconvinced of Jesus' guilt, yet he ultimately surrendered to the crowd's demands. This historical misattribution significantly influenced perceptions of Jewish culpability, complicating the legacy of Jesus’ crucifixion and Pilate’s role. Continued scholarly debate reflects the complexities surrounding this pivotal event.