The trial of Jesus has always been a topic of interest to Christian, Jewish, and nonreligious readers. Of late the subject has come into view prominence both because of the growing inter-faith dialogue and the publication of major studies devoted to the problem.
Gerard Sloyan approaches this subject as an irenic, post-Vatican II, Roman Catholic New Testament scholar who is keenly aware of tensions between Christians and Jews. He feels that these tensions can be somewhat relieved when we recognize that the Gospels are not unbiased in their presentation of Jesus’ trial — they rather attempt to exonerate the Roman imperial power and to implicate, indped blame the Jews for what happened to Jesus. The author draws upon the evidence of the Gospels and argues that, although the Jewish leadership was clearly aware of the event and its consequences, the Romans bear the chief, if not the sole responsibility for Jesus’ death.