Some argue that since “the Jews rejected Christ,” their perspective on Scripture no longer matters. However, this claim is both historically inaccurate and logically flawed. In fact, understanding the Jewish perspective is essential to grasping the original meaning of the Bible and Jesus’ teachings. Here’s why:
1. The First Christians Were Jews
The idea that “the Jews” rejected Christ is misleading. While some Jewish leaders opposed Jesus, His disciples, the first church, and the earliest Christian leaders were all Jewish.
- Jesus’ disciples were Jews.
- The first church in Jerusalem (Acts 2:5) was entirely Jewish.
- The apostles who spread the gospel across the Roman world were Jews.
- For at least 100 years after Jesus’ resurrection, the leadership of Christianity remained largely Jewish.
Christianity was not originally a separate religion—it was a movement within Judaism. To understand Christianity properly, we must understand its Jewish roots.
2. The “Jews Rejected Christ” Argument Is a Logical Fallacy
Claiming that we shouldn’t care about the Jewish perspective because “the Jews rejected Christ” is an example of the genetic fallacy—rejecting information based on its source rather than its validity.
Even if many Jews did reject Jesus, that does not negate the value of their cultural, historical, and linguistic insights into Scripture. The Jewish perspective is crucial because:
- The Old Testament was written by Jews.
- The New Testament was written primarily by Jews.
- Jesus Himself was a Jew and taught as a Jewish rabbi.
To ignore the Jewish perspective is to ignore the original context of the Bible. Below are two examples:
1. Matthew 19:9 – Divorce
- Many translations say, “whoever divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another, commits adultery.”
- However, the Greek word translated as “divorce” (apoluo) actually means “send away” (without a proper divorce certificate, see Deuteronomy 24:1-2). In Jewish law, simply sending away a wife without a formal divorce, which Jesus only permitted in cases of sexual immorality, left her unable to remarry, making the husband guilty of causing adultery. Learn more about divorce in the Bible here.
2. Luke 14:26 – “Hate” Your Family
- Jesus says, “If anyone comes to me and does not hate his father and mother… he cannot be my disciple.”
- In Jewish idiom, “hate” does not mean emotional hostility but a decision or preference. Jesus was saying loyalty to God must come first, not that one should despise their family.
3. You Don’t Have to Agree with Rabbinic Tradition to Learn from It
The Talmud and Jewish teachings are an absolute goldmine of wisdom, packed with deep insights, historical gems, and brilliant interpretations that can illuminate the Bible in ways most people never imagined. Seriously—there are tons of treasures buried in its pages. However, it’s essentially a collection (library, actually) of commentaries by different rabbis, each bringing their own perspectives, arguments, and even contradictions. These were incredibly intelligent but imperfect men, and their debates often reflect human limitations rather than divine truth. That’s why, when studying the Jewish perspective and Hebrew roots of your faith, the best approach is “eat the meat and spit out the bones”—embrace the wisdom, the cultural and historical insights, but don’t feel obligated to accept everything as absolute truth. There’s so much to learn, but discernment is key!
Thus, studying Jewish thought does not mean endorsing everything in rabbinic tradition, but it helps us understand biblical concepts more accurately. For example, in Matthew 19, Jesus debates the Pharisees about divorce. Understanding Jewish divorce laws helps clarify Jesus’ teachings about divorce.
Conclusion: The Jewish Perspective Is Essential
Dismissing the Jewish perspective on Scripture is both historically and logically misguided. The Bible was written in a Jewish context, Jesus taught in a Jewish framework, and early Christianity was Jewish. Learning from the Jewish perspective helps us better understand the original meaning of Scripture—whether or not we agree with later rabbinic traditions. Rather than rejecting Jewish insights, we should embrace them as a valuable tool for uncovering the truth of God’s Word.
Unlike most of history, today, the Bible is not only widely read by Christians but also actively discussed. With social media, many feel compelled to share their personal interpretations, often with passion. However, despite frequent Bible reading, many lack the essential principles for interpreting ancient, non-English texts, leading to misinterpretations. This may explain why Christianity has over 40,000 churches, groups, and denominations.
Meanwhile, scholars spend lifetimes mastering biblical interpretation before presenting insights. Similarly, Jewish scholars have studied Scripture for thousands of years, developing unique interpretive methods—some now used in Christian seminaries.
But before you enroll in seminary, let me share key principles for reading the Bible “like a Jew” in this concise book!
