Pope apparently confused

Praise continues around the world for Benedict XVI for stating the already known truth that Jews as a people aren’t to be blamed the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. Anyone with only cursory study of the Bible would know that it is, in fact, all mankind and its sin that caused Christ to be sacrificed.


However, based on the excerpts that have been released, the content of the pontiff’s new book about Christ, Jesus of Nazareth, must be considered suspect when he makes exegetical claims that are simply wrong.

For example, in a passage commenting on a Gospel account of the scene where the crowd is clamoring for Jesus’ execution and shouting for Christ’s blood, I believe Benedict is confused about the meaning of what the people said regarding their call for His crucifixion and Christ’s blood being on them and their children.

The pontiff writes that the chant from the crowd, "His blood shall be on us and on our children," really means that "we all stand in need of the purifying power of love which is his blood. These words are not a curse, but rather redemption, salvation."

Does he really believe this? Or, does he believe that Matthew is writing some cute doublé entendre?

Yes, all mankind is in need of the purifying power of Christ’s shed blood. But to claim that the clamoring crowd was shouting for the application of Christ’s purifying blood is simply wrong. Apparently, Benedict didn’t read the immediately preceding verses which helps us know what they were talking about.

Pilate said to them, "Then what shall I do with Jesus who is called Christ?" They all said, "Crucify Him!" And he said, "Why, what evil has He done?" But they kept shouting all the more, saying, "Crucify Him!" 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!"  (Matt. 27:22-25)

Whether the Jews are being punished for this or not isn’t my main point. My point is that the Pope’s interpretation of this passage is so far off that it reveals a problem.

This latest blunder by the pontiff is evidence of the invalidity of the church’s claim that a pope is inerrant regarding theological issues.

Benedict’s claims about the accusers of Christ are poorly shadowed attempts at an ecumenical truce with Jews. I hope that most Jews aren’t fooled by this and realize that the church of Rome, and Pope Benedict XVI, are no friends to the Jewish people nor to the true state of Israel. The Vatican and its inhabitants have long been anti-Zionist. Regardless of any rhetoric, the actions of past and current leaders of the church of Rome speak very clearly against God’s chosen people, their homeland and their future promised by God.

This recent exhibition of erroneous interpretation should illuminate the fact that this man and his church can maintain no credibility.