The blood curse refers to a New Testament passage from Matthew 27:24-25 which is part of the section that describes Pilate's court before the Crucifixion of Jesus.
The King James Bible states:
- When Pilate saw that he could not prevail, but rather that a tumult was beginning, 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." Then answered all the people and said, "His blood be on us, and on our children!"
This immediately follows the action of Pilate in Matthew 27:24 in which he washes his hands in public to proclaim his own innocence.
This episode is then followed by Jesus Carrying the Cross towards Calvary in Matthew 27:31–33.
Famous quotes containing the words blood and/or curse:
“Ties of blood are not always ties of friendship; but friendship founded on merit, on esteem, and on mutual trust, becomes more vital and more tender when strengthened by the ties of blood.”
—Philip Dormer Stanhope, 4th Earl Chesterfield (1694–1773)
“Hold back thy hours, dark Night, till we have done;
The Day will come too soon.
Young maids will curse thee, if thou steal’st away
And leav’st their losses open to the day.
Stay, stay, and hide
The blushes of the bride.”
—Francis Beaumont (1584-1616)