Kevin Sorbo defends 'Jews killed Jesus' remarks

Kevin Sorbo Seanpanderson/Wikipedia

Christian actor Kevin Sorbo defended himself on Thursday after making controversial statements about Jews in an interview earlier this week.

Sorbo appeared on Christian radio show "Vocal Point" on Monday, and said that the Jews killed Jesus. He now says that he should have worded his statements differently.

The 55-year-old was featured on the GraceFM program to promote the DVD release of his film "God's Not Dead." During the radio interview, Sorbo and host Jerry Newcombe discussed the anti-Semitic accusations made against Mel Gibson when he released "The Passion of the Christ."

"Oh, he got attacked when he was shooting 'The Passion,' from the Jewish community, saying, 'Look at the way you're portraying us,'"Sorbo said. "I mean, I go, 'Okay, news bulletin: You did kill Jesus."

"Well, they delivered him over to the Romans, right," Newcombe added.

"Exactly," Sorbo responded. "They did deliver him, so they had a hand in it."

The actor recently clarified his inflammatory statements.

"Here's the deal. Here's reality. The Jewish leaders offered Jesus up to Pilate, preferring to free a hardened criminal," Sorbo told The Blaze. "Did all Jews at that time hate Jesus? Of course they did not. The people screamed to let the hardened criminal go. That's in the book. That's in the facts.

"After all, [Jesus] was Jewish and... the Jewish leaders and a handful of Jews [gave him up]," he continued. "It was more like they were accomplices to his murder. They knew he was going to be murdered. There was no question."

Although he stands by the message he delivered on "Vocal Point," Sorbo said he could have rephrased his statements.

"I should have worded it better. We live in such an age where everything is scrutinised," the former "Hercules" star said. "Liberals love to project a false image on the wall and get very upset with the image they've created themselves."

Sorbo is also promoting the upcoming movie "Let the Lion Roar" – a docu-drama in which he plays French theologian John Calvin. The film will be released to video on September 19.

News
Christian congregation in England’s film capital seeks new vicar
Christian congregation in England’s film capital seeks new vicar

After more than three years without a resident rector, All Saints is actively seeking a new vicar to take on full-time ministry in one of England’s most distinctive parish settings.

Amnesty International urges Libya to quash convictions of Christians
Amnesty International urges Libya to quash convictions of Christians

Concerns are mounting over the plight of 11 Christians imprisoned in Libya after trials that Amnesty International has condemned as deeply flawed and unjust.

Churches step in to help parents struggling with back-to-school costs
Churches step in to help parents struggling with back-to-school costs

Churches are helping ease the financial burden on families this summer by providing free pre-loved school uniforms.

Israel accused of weaponizing aid in Gaza conflict
Israel accused of weaponizing aid in Gaza conflict

Aid organisations say that “most major international NGOs have been unable to deliver a single truck of lifesaving supplies”.