Was Jesus a Jew?

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY?

Jesus was undeniably a Jew, both by birth and by practice. He was born in Bethlehem, a Jewish town, and descended from David and Abraham, as recorded in His genealogies. His Hebrew name, Yeshua, and His upbringing in the Jewish town of Nazareth further affirm His Jewish identity. Jesus and His family faithfully observed Jewish laws and customs, including temple rituals, Sabbath attendance, and festivals like Passover.

FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT

• Jesus was born in Bethlehem, a town occupied by Jewish people. Bethlehem had long been a Jewish settlement known as the city of David (Micah 5:2; 1 Samuel 16:1; see Luke 2:4–7).

FROM THE NEW TESTAMENT

• The very first verse of the New Testament clearly proclaims the Jewish ethnicity of Jesus: "The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham" (Matthew 1:1).
• The name "Jesus" has clear Hebrew origins. Jesus is a transliteration of the Hebrew name Yeshua (Joshua), which means "Yahweh is salvation" (see Numbers 13:8; Matthew 1:21).
• Jesus' earthly parents were from Nazareth, a city of Jewish people. It is undeniable that first-century Nazareth was a small Jewish town (Matthew 2:23; Luke 4:16).
• Jesus was born at the time of a census that required Jews to return to the towns of their ancestry (Luke 2:1-4). Joseph would not have traveled with a pregnant wife to Bethlehem for the census unless he was Jewish, as he was from the lineage of David (Matthew 1:1-16; Luke 2:4). Mary, the mother of Jesus, also had Jewish ancestry. Luke’s genealogy of Jesus likely traces Mary’s side of the family, showing a connection to David and the tribe of Judah (Luke 3:23-38). Jesus’ aunt and uncle, Zechariah and Elizabeth, were Torah-observant Jews, with Zechariah serving as a priest (Luke 1:5-6). The whole family took their Jewish faith seriously. Hebrews 7:14 states, “For it is evident that our Lord was descended from Judah.”
• Jesus was taken to the temple as an infant according to the Jewish law of Moses (Luke 2:22).
• Jesus was at the Jewish temple as a child according to Jewish custom (Luke 2:41-52). He was not just attending the synagogue; on at least one occasion He was teaching the leaders the Scriptures about Himself (Luke 4:16-21).
• Jesus observed Jewish customs as an adult. He attended the synagogue on the Sabbath (Luke 4:16), traveled to Jerusalem for Passover (John 2:13; Luke 2:41-42), and told those He healed of skin disease to present themselves to the priests as required by the Law of Moses (Luke 5:14; Leviticus 14:2-32). Everything in the Gospel accounts indicates that Jesus was a Torah-observant, Sabbath-abiding Jewish man.
• Jesus came to identify with His nation during John’s baptism of repentance (John 1:19-34).
• Jesus was nailed to a cross, and above Him was a sign that read, "King of the Jews" (Matthew 27:37; Mark 15:26; Luke 23:38; John 19:19).

IMPLICATIONS FOR TODAY

Clearly, Jesus was a Jew. Throughout His life, Jesus lived as a Torah-observant, Sabbath-keeping Jewish man, fulfilling the role of the Messiah. He came with one main purpose – to bring salvation to His people. His offer of salvation extended to the whole world, and anyone, regardless of ethnicity, is invited to come to Jesus for forgiveness of sin and eternal life with Him (John 3:16).

UNDERSTAND

• Jesus was born into a Jewish family, in the Jewish town of Bethlehem, and descended from Abraham and David.
• Jesus lived fully within Jewish culture, practicing the Law of Moses, attending synagogue, and participating in temple rituals.
• Jesus’ life and lineage clearly reflect His identity as a Torah-observant Jew and the promised Messiah of Israel.

REFLECT

• How does knowing that Jesus was fully immersed in Jewish customs and law shape the way you view His life and relationship to His culture?
• How can you grow in honoring the heritage and history behind your faith in Jesus?
• How does Jesus’ Jewish identity and His fulfillment of the law challenge you in your response to God’s Word?

ENGAGE

• What insights do we gain about Jesus’ mission when we consider His Jewish background and culture?
• How might understanding Jesus’ observance of Jewish customs influence the way we read the Gospels today?
• What connections can we make between Jesus being the Jewish Messiah and His role in God’s plan for all nations?