YCP – Amicus Brief #2: Did the Jews Kill Christ?

Text of Amicus Curiae yet to be filed.

AMICUS CURIAE ELI JAMES

BRIEF No. 2 IN SUPPORT OF PLAINTIFF DARRELL

LEON MCCLANAHAN III

Case Name: Darrell Leon McClanahan III v. Donald J. Trump, et al.

Case No.: 3:25-CV-05025-MDH

Court: United States District Court, Western District of Missouri

COMES NOW Eli James, a minister of the Christian Identity faith, and pursuant to Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 24, respectfully moves this Court for leave to file the attached Amicus Curiae Brief No. 2 in support of Plaintiff Darrell Leon McClanahan III. In support of this Motion, Eli James states as follows:

I. INTRODUCTION

1. Interest of Amicus Curiae.

I am a minister within the Christian Identity movement whose theological interpretations and expressions are directly implicated by federal actions that may target specific religious viewpoints. I possess a compelling interest in ensuring that Executive Orders 13899 and 14188 do not impermissibly chill or penalize dissenting religious speech by adopting an unAmerican, international statement on “Anti-Semitism,” namely, the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s 2016 statement. This statement is an attempt to provide a legal definition of “Anti-Semitism.”

2. Proposed Brief.

The attached Amicus Curiae Brief No. 2 addresses:

The First Amendment’s protection of religious and political speech; the due-process implications of an overbroad, unclear executive order; the real-world chilling effect on religious dissent and academic freedom.

3. No Prejudice.

Granting this Motion will not prejudice any party. Rather, the Court will benefit from the unique religious and historical context provided by the proposed brief.

4. Request.

Accordingly, Eli James respectfully requests leave to file the attached Amicus Curiae Brief No. 2 in support of Plaintiff Darrell Leon McClanahan III.

II. TESTIMONY

So, in following the developments of the case filed by Mr. McClanahan against Donald Trump, I was made aware of the recent amicus curiae filing by Mark Bochra, a Coptic Christian, on behalf of Darrell McClanahan’s lawsuit against Donald Trump over the Constitutional legality of instituting an international declaration on Anti-Semitism as part of American law. To wit:

Notice of Electronic Filing

The following transaction was entered on 7/30/2025 at 11:55 AM CDT and filed on 7/30/2025

Case Name:	McClanahan v. Trump et al
Case Number:	3:25-cv-05025-MDH
Filer:	Mark Bochra
Document Number:	50

Docket Text:
Amicus Brief of Mark Bochra The Coptic by Mark Bochra re [41] MOTION to dismiss for lack of jurisdiction MOTION TO DISMISS FOR FAILURE TO STATE A CLAIM (JWJ)

In my previous amicus brief, I argued that the definition of ‘anti-Semitism’ is very vague. Specifically, the biblical definition considers all of the descendants of Abraham and his three wives to be Shemites (descendants of Noah’s son, Shem, Gen. 12:1-3). These descendants include Hagar’s descendants, the Ishmaelites, today known as Arabs, plus the descendants of Keturah, today known as the Midianites of the Arabian peninsula.

Given that the term ‘Jew’ is almost universally acknowledged to be derived from Abraham’s great-grandson, Judah, this is proof that the descendants of Judah are merely a small portion of the Shemitic people; but Organized Jewry uses the word ‘anti-Semitism’ in an unbiblical way in order to convey the idea that only Jews are Shemites. This poor usage of language can only create confusion, both historical and biblical, as well as legal.

Mark Bochra’s input raised another interesting question: Does the New Testament assert that the Jews killed Christ? The International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) asserts that the Jews were not responsible for the death of Christ. Jewish assertions to the contrary, the Christian Bible most assuredly asserts this. Freedom of Religion and Freedom of Speech are at stake in this case!

From Mark’s Amicus Brief,

seeking both a declaratory and a preliminary injunction against the IHRA definition for its use of “Jews didn’t kill Jesus Christ”, an endorsed government view point discrimination and the entire IHRA definition is subject to APA

If I were the prosecuting attorney against the Jews in such a case I would cite the following facts;

A. New Testament verses that accuse the Jews, not the Romans, of wanting to kill Christ.

The verses are too numerous to quote here, so I will only reference the first witness of each Gospel, and cite the rest, which the court can read for themselves.

1. Matthew reports on how Herod, King of the Jews, sought to kill baby Jesus.

 

Mat 2:7  Then Herod, when he had privily called the wise men, enquired of them diligently what time the star appeared. 

Mat 2:8  And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, Go and search diligently for the young child; and when ye have found him, bring me word again, that I may come and worship him also. 

Mat 2:9  When they had heard the king, they departed; and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was. 

Mat 2:10  When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy. 

Mat 2:11  And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh. 

Mat 2:12  And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way. 

The other verses in Matthew that impugn the Jews are 26:3-4, 59-66; 27:1-2; 22-23.

2. Gospel of Mark. Mar 3:6  And the Pharisees went forth, and straightway took counsel with the Herodians against him, how they might destroy him. 

Other verses in Mark state emphatically of Jewish guilt:: 8:15; 11:12-20; 12:13; 14:1; 15:13-14.

3. Gospel of Luke. Verses: 3:13-31; 7:36-50; 13:31; 23:13-24. Luke 12:1 deserves special attention.

“In the mean time, when there were gathered together an innumerable multitude of people, insomuch that they trode one upon another, he began to say unto his disciples first of all, Beware ye of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy.”

The scribes and Pharisees were the main instigators against Jesus, but the Herodians and the Sanhedrin were all part of the plot to destroy Him.

4. Gospel of John. (7:1) “Jesus would not walk in Jewry, because the Jews sought to kill Him.” This verse is exceptionally explicit.

Other verses include: John 7:19; 8:37, 40, 59; 10:31; 11:8, 47-53.

 

B. Illegal trials called by the Jews, not by Romans.

 

There were six trials that were conducted the night before Jesus was crucified. All of these proceedings were illegal, based on the Mosaic rule of law in effect at the time these events took place.

1. Before Annas (John 18:12,13)
2. Before Caiaphas (John 18:19-24)
3. Before the Sanhedrin (Matthew 27:1-2)
4. Before Pilate (John 18:28-38)
5. Before Herod (Luke 23:6-11)
6. Before Pilate (Luke 18:39; 19:45-48)

In the two cases before Pilate, the Sanhedrin tried to solicit Pilate’s approval, which he refused to give. He never did give his approval. He merely turned Jesus over to the Jews after washing his hands of the whole affair.   Mat 27:24. When Pilate saw that he could prevail nothing, but that rather a tumult was made, 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. 

NOTE: Mat 27:1  When the morning was come, all the chief priests and elders of the people took counsel against Jesus to put him to death: 

Mat 27:2  And when they had bound him, they led him away, and delivered him to Pontius Pilate the governor. 

The Sanhedrin, under Caiaphas, had already pronounced the death sentence on Jesus; but under Roman occupation, the Jews could not execute anyone without permission from Rome.

Mrk_15:14  Then Pilate said unto them, Why, what evil hath he done? And they (the Jews and Pharisees) cried out the more exceedingly, Crucify him.

The account of John is especially edifying:

John_19:4 Therefore [Pilate] went forth again, and saith unto them, Behold, I bring him forth to you, that ye may know that I find no fault in him.

Jhn_19:5  Then came Jesus forth, wearing the crown of thorns, and the purple robe. And Pilate saith unto them, Behold the man!

Jhn_19:6  When the chief priests therefore and officers saw him, they cried out, saying, Crucify him, crucify him. Pilate saith unto them, Take ye him, and crucify him: for I find no fault in him.

Joh 19:7  The Jews answered him, We have a law, and by our law he ought to die, because he made himself the Son of God. 

Jhn_19:8  When Pilate therefore heard that saying, he was the more afraid;

Jhn_19:10  Then saith Pilate unto him, Speakest thou not unto me? knowest thou not that I have power to crucify thee, and have power to release thee?

Jhn_19:12  And from thenceforth Pilate sought to release him: but the Jews cried out, saying, If thou let this man go, thou art not Caesar’s friend: whosoever maketh himself a king speaketh against Caesar.

Jhn_19:13  When Pilate therefore heard that saying, he brought Jesus forth, and sat down in the judgment seat in a place that is called the Pavement, but in the Hebrew, Gabbatha.

Jhn_19:15  But they cried out, Away with him, away with him, crucify him. Pilate saith unto them, Shall I crucify your King? The chief priests answered, We have no king but Caesar.

C: Jesus publicly accuses the Jews of wanting to kill him.

1. The Parable of the Evil Tenants

Mat 21:33  Hear another parable: There was a certain householder, which planted a vineyard, and hedged it round about, and digged a winepress in it, and built a tower, and let it out to husbandmen, and went into a far country: 

Mat 21:34  And when the time of the fruit drew near, he sent his servants to the husbandmen, that they might receive the fruits of it. 

Mat 21:35  And the husbandmen took his servants, and beat one, and killed another, and stoned another. 

Mat 21:36  Again, he sent other servants more than the first: and they did unto them likewise. 

Mat 21:37  But last of all he sent unto them his son, saying, They will reverence my son. 

Mat 21:38  But when the husbandmen saw the son, they said among themselves, This is the heir; come, let us kill him, and let us seize on his inheritance. 

Mat 21:39  And they caught him, and cast him out of the vineyard, and slew him. 

Mat 21:40  When the lord therefore of the vineyard cometh, what will he do unto those husbandmen? 

Mat 21:41  They say unto him, He will miserably destroy those wicked men, and will let out his vineyard unto other husbandmen, which shall render him the fruits in their seasons. 

Mat 21:42  Jesus saith unto them, Did ye never read in the scriptures, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner: this is the Lord’s doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes? 

Mat 21:43  Therefore say I unto you, The kingdom of God shall be taken from you, and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof. 

Mat 21:44  And whosoever shall fall on this stone shall be broken: but on whomsoever it shall fall, it will grind him to powder. 

Mat 21:45  And when the chief priests and Pharisees had heard his parables, they perceived that he spake of them. 

Mat 21:46  But when they sought to lay hands on him, they feared the multitude, because they took him for a prophet. 

2. John 19:11

Joh 19:10  Then saith Pilate unto him, Speakest thou not unto me? knowest thou not that I have power to crucify thee, and have power to release thee? 

Joh 19:11  Jesus answered, Thou couldest have no power at all against me, except it were given thee from above: therefore he that delivered me unto thee hath the greater sin.

The person/group that delivered Jesus unto Pilate was Caiaphas and the Sanhedrin. Therefore, they have the greater guilt.

Joh 18:12  Then the band and the captain and officers of the Jews took Jesus, and bound him, 

Joh 18:13  And led him away to Annas first; for he was father in law to Caiaphas, which was the high priest that same year. 

Joh 18:14  Now Caiaphas was he, which gave counsel to the Jews, that it was expedient that one man should die for the people. 

Joh 18:24  Now Annas had sent him bound unto Caiaphas the high priest.

Joh 18:28  Then led they Jesus from Caiaphas unto the hall of judgment: and it was early; and they themselves went not into the judgment hall, lest they should be defiled; but that they might eat the passover. 

Joh 18:29  Pilate then went out unto them, and said, What accusation bring ye against this man? 

Joh 18:30  They answered and said unto him, If he were not a malefactor, we would not have delivered him up unto thee. 

Joh 18:31  Then said Pilate unto them, Take ye him, and judge him according to your law. The Jews therefore said unto him, It is not lawful for us to put any man to death: 

Joh 18:32  That the saying of Jesus might be fulfilled, which he spake, signifying what death he should die.

Joh 18:33  Then Pilate entered into the judgment hall again, and called Jesus, and said unto him, Art thou the King of the Jews? 

Joh 18:34  Jesus answered him, Sayest thou this thing of thyself, or did others tell it thee of me? 

Joh 18:35  Pilate answered, Am I a Jew? Thine own nation and the chief priests have delivered thee unto me: what hast thou done? 

Joh 18:36  Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence. 

Joh 18:37  Pilate therefore said unto him, Art thou a king then? Jesus answered, Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice. 

Joh 18:38  Pilate saith unto him, What is truth? And when he had said this, he went out again unto the Jews, and saith unto them, I find in him no fault at all. 

So, it is clear from the Christian Bible that it was Caiaphas and the Sanhedrin who instigated the death of Jesus. Jesus said to Pilate, “The one who delivered me to you hath the greater sin.”

Although the Romans were partners in the crime, it is clear that the Jews were the main instigators. They were afraid of Jesus because He was exposing them as usurpers and because they were afraid that Jesus would upset their cozy relationship with Rome, which held the Pharisees and Herodians up as leaders of the people; but they were not legitimate leaders. They were partners with Rome in the occupation.

D. Herod was not an Israelite.

It is universally acknowledged by all theologians that Herod was not a Judahite/Israelite by birth. Rather, he was a usurper installed by Rome’s military might.

The fact that Herod was a usurper empowered by Rome is confirmed by Josephus, the Jewish historian:

1. BUT now Herod was under immediate concern about a most important affair, on account of his friendship with Antony, who was already overcome at Actium by [Julius] Caesar; yet he was more afraid than hurt; for Caesar did not think he had quite undone Antony, while Herod continued his assistance to him. However, the king resolved to expose himself to dangers: accordingly he sailed to Rhodes, where Caesar then abode, and came to him without his diadem, and in the habit and appearance of a private person, but in his behavior as a king. So he concealed nothing of the truth, but spoke thus before his face: “O Caesar, as I was made king of the Jews by Antony, so do I profess that I have used my royal authority in the best manner, and entirely for his advantage; nor will I conceal this further, that thou hadst certainly found me in arms, and an inseparable companion of his, had not the Arabians hindered me. However, I sent him as many auxiliaries as I was able, and many ten thousand [cori] of corn. Nay, indeed, I did not desert my benefactor after the bow that was given him at Actium; but I gave him the best advice I was able, when I was no longer able to assist him in the war; and I told him that there was but one way of recovering his affairs, and that was to kill Cleopatra; and I promised him that, if she were once dead, I would afford him money and walls for his security, with an army and myself to assist him in his war against thee: but his affections for Cleopatra stopped his ears, as did God himself also who hath bestowed the government on thee. I own myself also to be overcome together with him; and with his last fortune I have laid aside my diadem, and am come hither to thee, having my hopes of safety in thy virtue; and I desire that thou wilt first consider how faithful a friend, and not whose friend, I have been.”

2. Caesar replied to him thus: “Nay, thou shalt not only be in safety, but thou shalt be a king; and that more firmly than thou wast before; for thou art worthy to reign over a great many subjects, by reason of the fastness of thy friendship; and do thou endeavor to be equally constant in thy friendship to me, upon my good success, which is what I depend upon from the generosity of thy disposition. However, Antony hath done well in preferring Cleopatra to thee; for by this means we have gained thee by her madness, and thus thou hast begun to be my friend before I began to be thine; on which account Quintus Didius hath written to me that thou sentest him assistance against the gladiators. I do therefore assure thee that I will confirm the kingdom to thee by decree: I shall also endeavor to do thee some further kindness hereafter, that thou mayst find no loss in the want of Antony.”

– Josephus, War I, 386-673- Personal Life and Rule of Herod

This history recounted by Josephus proves that the Romans and the Herodians were partners in the crimes against the people of Judea. The Pharisees and the Sanhedrin were Rome’s agents in charge of controlling the people against any rebellion. The Jewish leaders perceived that Jesus threatened not only the political power of the Pharisee/Sanhedrin/Herodian coalition with Rome but their physical existence as well. They knew Jesus was the legitimate heir and He was exposing their illegitimate rule. If they did not kill Jesus, the people would have followed Him instead of them.

E. CONCLUSION

In summing up:

1. The Jewish leadership were the only group seeking to take His life.

2. Pontius Pilate did everything he could to save Jesus.

3. The Sanhedrin on at least six occasions held illegal trials (some of them in secret, which is a violation of the Mosaic law) without any cooperation from Rome.

4. The Jewish Sanhedrin had a tremendous motive: preserving their vassalage position vis-a-vis Rome and the people of Judea. “We have no king but Caesar.” – John 19:15.

5. The Sanhedrin sought permission from Pilate to execute Him, which Pilate did not give until they threatened to have Pilate accused before Tiberius Caesar of reneging on the partnership between Rome under Julius Caesar and the Herodians, under whom the Pharisees operated.

Given all of this evidence, I think it is safe to say that the Jewish leadership were the prime instigators against Jesus and deserve the greater guilt (John 19:11).