JOSEPH W. TKACH
PASTOR GENERAL

May 1987

Dear Friend:

Thank you for your inquiry as to whether Jesus was a Jew. We are pleased to be of service.

The word "Jew" is a shortened form of the old English word "Judean," referring to the descendants of the patriarch Judah. In the New Testament genealogies, both Mary and Joseph are listed as descendants of Judah, through the line of David (Matt. 1 and Luke 3). Jesus was not only a descendant of Judah -- He was not only a Jew -- but He was of the Davidic -- the kingly -- line of Judah. Numerous verses refer to Jesus as the son of David.

The apostle Paul was inspired to write: "It is evident that our Lord sprang out of Juda" (Heb. 7:14). In Revelation 5:5, Jesus is called the "Lion of the tribe of Juda." Long before His birth, it was prophesied that Shiloh -- the Messiah, the Prince of Peace -- would come from the tribe of Judah (Gen. 49:10).

In His conversation with the woman at the well, Jesus said, "Ye [Samaritans] worship ye know not what: we [Jews] know what we worship: for salvation is of the Jews" (John 4:22). Jesus used the pronoun "we" and clearly considered Himself to be a Jew. But the Jews rejected Him -- He came "unto his own, and his own received him not" (John 1:11).

Paul wrote about God's sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh (Rom. 8:3). Christ took on the flesh and blood of His physical parent Mary (Heb. 2:14). Jesus was born as a human being by a divine begettal into the nation, area, and family of Judah. Jesus was a Jew!

If we can be of further help in your study of the Bible, we hope you will let us know.

PERSONAL CORRESPONDENCE DEPARTMENT