Changes

'''The Jews''' is a phrase used 182 times in the [[Bible]] ([[ESV]]), in both the [[Old Testament]] (54 times) and [[New Testament]] (128 times).  The [[Gospel of John]] uses it by far the most often (60 times), but even the [[Gospel of Matthew]] uses this phrase.  [[Paul]] uses it only 4 times.

'''The Jews''' is a phrase used 182 times in the [[Bible]] ([[ESV]]), in both the [[Old Testament]] (54 times) and [[New Testament]] (128 times).  The [[Gospel of John]] uses it by far the most often (60 times), but even the [[Gospel of Matthew]] uses this phrase.  [[Paul]] uses it only 4 times. According to the Jews for Jesus, a prominent [[Messianic Judaism]] organization, the phrase "the Jews" used in the Gospel of John was in reference to the Jewish leadership, likely the [[Pharisees]] and scribes,<ref>The Synoptic Gospels mostly clarify that Jesus was specifically denouncing the Pharisees and scribes, unlike the Gospel of John interchangeably using the phrase "the Jews."</ref> rather than referring to Jewish people ''en masse''.<ref>Damato, Catherine (April 23, 2018). [https://jewsforjesus.org/answers/is-the-new-testament-jewish Is the New Testament Jewish?] ''Jews for Jesus''. Retrieved December 24, 2022.</ref>

At the time of [[Jesus]] there was a sharp split between the [[Samaritans]] and Judeans, and [[John]] tended to be more sympathetic to the Samaritans. John's frequent references may have been based on that tension.

At the time of [[Jesus]] there was a sharp split between the [[Samaritans]] and Judeans, and [[John]] tended to be more sympathetic to the Samaritans. John's frequent references may have been based on that tension.