Today, in the Gospel we perceive a certain "controversy" over the "Jews" around Jesus. In the fourth Gospel this is not a specific point made, although it rather appears as a constant in the ascent of Jesus to Jerusalem. But, ultimately, who exactly were Jesus’ accusers? According to John, it was simply "the Jews". But this expression does not in any way indicate the people of Israel in general; even less is it “racist” in character.

After all, John himself was ethnically a Jew, as were Jesus and all His followers. The entire early Christian community was made up of Jews. In John’s Gospel this word has a precise and clearly defined meaning: he is referring to the Temple aristocracy (there may be exceptions, such as Nicodemus). In Mark’s Gospel, then, in addition to “the Jews”, that is to say the dominant priestly circle, the ochlos (the “mass”) comes into play, the circle of Barabbas’ supporters, but not the Jewish people as such...

—O Jesus! Here I am to defend You, because You call me by my name.