Did the Jews reject Jesus?

[alon]

Did the Jews reject Jesus?
Dr. Eliyahu Lizorkin-Eyzenberg 
Apr 21, 2017

Most modern Christ-followers mistakenly think that the New Testament states that the Jewish people rejected Jesus. Most, however, are not moved to anti-Judaism and anti-Semitism because of this, and are looking to the future when this unfortunate event will be reversed. But is their reading of the New Testament itself accurate?

The foundational proof text for the idea of the “Jews rejecting Jesus” comes from the traditional misreading of the Gospel of John, where in translation from the original Koine Judeo-Greek we read: “He came unto His own, but his own received him not.” (Jn. 1:11).

The standard interpretation equates “his own” with first-century people of the Jewish religion; thus making two basic interpretive mistakes. First, it ignores the grammar of the original – the first “own” is neuter (τὰ ἴδια), but second “own” is masculine (οἱ ἴδιοι). This indicates that at least the first “his own” cannot possibly refer to the Jews! The second mistake ignores the fact that the word (Ἰουδαῖοι) used in John’s Gospel, translated traditionally as “Jews” did not mean “people of the Jewish religion” as it does today. The primary meaning of this word was – “the leaders of the Judean region” or even “Judeans.”

The New Testament acknowledges that there was a veil placed upon Israel for the spiritual benefit of other nations (reminiscent of the veil that was once placed on Moses’ face!). But the New Testament never claims that “the Jews rejected Jesus.” In fact, the question the New Testament asks is quite different: “Did God reject His people?” To that question, the New Testament provides a very clear answer – absolutely not! (Romans 11:1)

Posted in Kehila News Isral and reposted here by permission.

[alon]

“Most modern Christ-followers mistakenly think that the New Testament states that the Jewish people rejected Jesus. Most, however, are not moved to anti-Judaism and anti-Semitism because of this, and are looking to the future when this unfortunate event will be reversed.”

Actually a lot of anti-Semitism is built into the Hebrew-to-Greek-to-English translations we have. For instance, whenever it says “the Jews” or “the Pharisees,” like all Jews or Pharisees were indicated instead of the very few who were actually involved, it is instilling anti-Semitic ideas. However the trend does seem to be at least some effort by some Christians to overcome this.

“But is their reading of the New Testament itself accurate?"

No. Neither the author nor I think it is. His from an educated viewpoint, mine from more a common sense perspective.

"The foundational proof text for the idea of the “Jews rejecting Jesus” comes from the traditional misreading of the Gospel of John, where in translation from the original Koine Judeo-Greek we read: “He came unto His own, but his own received him not.” (Jn. 1:11).

The standard interpretation equates “his own” with first-century people of the Jewish religion; thus making two basic interpretive mistakes. First, it ignores the grammar of the original – the first “own” is neuter (τὰ ἴδια), but second “own” is masculine (οἱ ἴδιοι). This indicates that at least the first “his own” cannot possibly refer to the Jews!”

This is true, informative and well written. Even some Jewish scholars say that as much as half of Israel at the time of Yeshua became believers, followers of the sect of the Nots’arim. And as late as the 13th cen CE we see the Nots’rim, also called "Pasagini" referenced in the writings of the Catholic teacher Bonacursus, in his treatise Against the Heretics:

"Let those who are not yet acquainted with them, please note how perverse their belief and doctrine are. First, they teach that we should obey the Law of Moses according to the letter - the Sabbath, and circumcision, and the legal precepts still being in force. Furthermore, to increase their error, they condemn and reject all the Church Fathers, and the whole Roman Church."

So “all the Jews” did not reject Yeshua, neither did they convert to Christianity. Bonacursus and writings of other church fathers tell us the Nots’rim remained set apart from the church. And they existed as a viable faith at least into the 13th century.

“The second mistake ignores the fact that the word (Ἰουδαῖοι) used in John’s Gospel, translated traditionally as “Jews” did not mean “people of the Jewish religion” as it does today. The primary meaning of this word was – “the leaders of the Judean region” or even “Judeans.””

Again correct. The word almost always translated as “Jews” is “Ioudaos,” which actually means “Judeans.” So even if “all” were meant, it would only be all from the region of Judea; a region lieling mostly west of the Dead Sea which includes Jerusalem.

“The New Testament acknowledges that there was a veil placed upon Israel for the spiritual benefit of other nations (reminiscent of the veil that was once placed on Moses’ face!).”

The key passage to this doctrine Romans 11:25 “For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits—, that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in.”

The passage seems to reveal that a blindness (veil) has befallen Israel at present. But we’ve seen that not all Israel was blinded. And careful reading tells us that even in the King James that this blindness happened “in part;” meaning not the whole! If Christians can get past the dogma handed down by the catholic fathers the truth is there, staring them in the face!

This blindness will end when the “fulness of the Gentiles” is completed. Chrisrtians tend to think the “fulness of the Gentiles” is a good thing. However to the Jew, this is a thing of dread and all too often horror. One has only to reflect on the last 2000 yrs., immagining them from a Jewish perspective to get a glimpse of the truth. And Jews remember history. This is one huge factor in why many today won’t even consider Christianity, or for that matter even Messianic Judaism.

To add insult to injury, most Christian doctrine says “persecute them now, but in the end times we get yanked away to heaven and they get to stay through the Great Tribulation. Oh, and we’ve replaced you as G-d’s favorites too. We get all the blessings; you get …” At least Romans 11:26 says “And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn ungodliness from Jacob.” So Israel’s blindness will be ended and “all Israel shall be saved.” Thank G-d for small mercies, I guess.

Even today, figure it by a percentage and include all Jews who are either Christian or Meshiachim, and take everyone else in the world as believers in Yeshua/Jesus; now factor in that at least half of those filling church pews are unsaved (estimates by most evangelical pastors). Now take Jewish believers as a percentage of Judaism, and Christian/Messianics of Gentile birth as a percentage of everyone else and there are far more Jewish believers than Gentile believers!

Twentieth century premillennialism holds that Israel has a future. This future is both spiritual and physical; a restoration of Israel as a nation and as a people. It will be the fulfillment of a literal kingdom on earth with The Christ as King. Now is the time of the fulness of Gentile privilege and blessing, the future age will be one of Israel’s blessing (but not necessarily privilege).

This is contemporary dispensational doctrine, wherein God deals primarily with one people in each dispensational age. And the rules change for each dispensation. We as Meshiachim reject this idea, saying anyone can come to Elohim at any time. However we believe once we were told in scripture to do something a particular way, we do it; and we do it as instructed! The modern Messianic movement is the heir to the first century believers, the sect of the Nots’rim. We are the obedient of God, believers in His Moshiach Yeshua.

Dan C