When they attended Good Friday this year, many Protestants heard Christ’s crucifixion recounted in a different way. Instead of the traditional reading from John 19:1-42, some churches used Mark 14:1-15:47. The change is part of revisions to the lectionary, recommended by the ecumenical Consultation of Common Texts, that aims to stop the use of scripture to justify discrimination and violence against Jewish people.
John’s account of Christ’s trial before Pontius Pilate, the Roman governor, and death on the cross—blames Jewish people collectively for the Crucifixion. In contrast, Mark offers a more straightforward account that limits its negative depictions specifically to the betraying Judas, the denying Peter, and the Jewish chief priests who push for Jesus’ execution.
Mark’s Gospel also makes clear that these priests both work with Pontius Pilate and lead far more privileged lives than most Jewish people in Roman-occupied Judea. After all, Peter denies he knows Jesus to one of the high priest’s servant-girls.
