Passion in context 1

From barrister:

.  Old Belief: All generations of Jews are responsible for Jesus' death.

The accusation of anti-Semitists is not limited only to those Jews present at that scene before Pilate.  To the anti-Semitist's view, ALL JEWS -  and this literally includes the past, present and future generations of Jews -  are responsible for Jesus' death.

The Gospel according to Matthew states:

20.  But the chief priests and elders persuaded the multitude that they should ask Barabbas, and destroy Jesus.
21.  The governor answered and said unto them, Whether of the twain will ye that I release unto you? They said, Barabbas.
22.  Pilate saith unto them, What shall I do then with Jesus which is called Christ? They all say unto him, Let him be crucified.
23.  And the governor said, Why, what evil hath he done? But they cried out the more, saying, Let him be crucified.
24.  When Pilate saw that he could prevail nothing, but that rather a tumult was made, he took water, and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, I am innocent of the blood of this just person: see ye to it.
25.   Then answered all the people, and said, His blood be on us, and on our children.  (Matthew 27:20-25, emphasis mine.)

It's verse 25 that Jews find objectionable because the anti-Semitists are using the said verse as basis for saying that the Jews themselves admitted that the entire Jewish race is responsible for Jesus' death.

Bearing in mind that Jews do not believe in the New Testament, which to them is nothing but a fictional work of literature, it is easy to understand how infuriating Matthew 27:25 must be for them. 

Concerning Gibson's movie, the Anti-Defamation League's Abraham Foxman, in a November 2003 panel discussion, warned of the dangers posed to Jews from previous theatrical depictions of Christ's crucifixion, since they frequently reinforce the notion of collective Jewish guilt for the death of Jesus. (con't)