Why were the Jews accused of killing Jesus Christ?

Answer 1

I am no religious expert, but I believe the reason is because Jesus was betrayed by someone close to him, who was Jewish. Of course, I believe everyone that was close to him was Jewish. So it's kind like me saying "the Mexicans are out to get me" because there's a guy named Hector who is Mexican and is out to get me. Any time you say the (insert large group here) did something because of the actions of a few you are way off base.

Answer 2

Theologically speaking, there is the line in Matthew that takes place when Barrabas and Jesus are presented to the Jewish community. When the Pilate says to choose one of the criminals to kill, they choose Jesus. They further exclaim, "Let his blood be on us and our children for eternity." With such a line, it was an easy theological jump to blame the Jews for the Crucifixion.

Historically speaking, there were two major authority groups that opposed Jesus. The Pharisees and Sadducees (differing Jewish religious authorities) both opposed him because they considered his religious reforms heretical. The Roman Governors opposed him because he was considered a revolutionary (in both understandings of that word). Therefore, they were both keen to get rid of him. However, Christianity really grew when the Roman Emperors took a vested interest in the religion and emphasizing the Roman Government's involvement with Jesus's death would be non-starter. Choosing to focus on the Jewish contribution to Crucifixion was a calculated move away from make Rome culpable.