What Crucified Jesus? London: SCM Press, 1984

No charge against Jews has had a more disastrous effect than that which accuses them of being "Christ-killers" and/or "deicides". "Who killed Jesus?" is not the question, says Rivkin, but rather what was responsible. He answers this in terms of "the Roman imperial system". The procurator was appointed by the Roman Emperor; the High Priest was an appointee of the procurator and it was he who convened the court of trial. Within the space of 80 pages Rivkin pursues this divisive issue eruditely and dispassionately.