Jesus and Judaism: Rabbi, Torah, and Jewish Law

Jesus and Judaism: Rabbi, Torah, and Jewish Law

Introduction: Was Jesus a Jew or Something Else?

Many assume Jesus rejected Judaism, but historical evidence shows he was deeply rooted in Jewish law and tradition.

  • He was born Jewish.
  • He lived as a Torah-observant Jew.
  • He taught in synagogues.
  • He debated Jewish law like a rabbi.

Yet, he also challenged religious leaders and was later rejected by some. Was Jesus a Jewish reformer, a revolutionary, or something different?

Let’s explore Jesus’ Jewish identity, his teachings on the Torah, and why he clashed with the Pharisees.

1. Jesus Was Born and Raised as a Torah-Observant Jew

Jesus (Yeshua in Hebrew) followed the laws and customs of first-century Judaism.

A. Jewish Birth & Circumcision

  • Circumcised on the eighth day (Luke 2:21) → Required by Leviticus 12:3.
  • Presented at the Temple (Luke 2:22-24) → His family offered sacrifices according to the Torah.

B. Observing the Sabbath and Jewish Festivals

  • He kept Shabbat (Sabbath) – Worshiped in synagogues on the Sabbath (Luke 4:16).
  • He celebrated Jewish festivals:
    • Passover (Pesach) – The Last Supper was a Passover meal (Matthew 26:17-30).
    • Sukkot (Feast of Tabernacles) – Jesus attended (John 7:2-10).
    • Hanukkah (Feast of Dedication) – Jesus went to the Temple (John 10:22-23).

C. Wearing Tzitzit (Fringes) – A Jewish Command

  • A woman touched the tzitzit (fringes) of his garment to be healed (Matthew 9:20-21).
  • Numbers 15:38-40 commands Jewish men to wear these as a sign of following God’s law.

D. Teaching in Synagogues Like a Rabbi

  • Luke 4:16-21 – Jesus read from the Torah in a synagogue in Nazareth.
  • Matthew 23:2-3 – He affirmed the authority of the Pharisees’ teachings on the Torah.

Jesus was not outside of Judaism—he was deeply embedded within it.

2. Jesus and Jewish Law: Did He Reject the Torah?

Some claim Jesus abolished the Law, but his own words prove otherwise.

A. Jesus' Direct Statement on Torah

"Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them." (Matthew 5:17)

  • The Greek word “plēróō” (fulfill) means to properly interpret or complete, not to cancel.
  • Jesus reaffirmed every commandment and warned against breaking them (Matthew 5:18-19).

B. Jesus’ Halakhic Teachings – Strengthening the Torah

Jewish rabbis often debated the Law, interpreting how it should be applied. Jesus did the same, but he raised the standard rather than lowering it.

Examples:

  1. Murder – “Do not murder” → Jesus added anger and hatred as equally sinful (Matthew 5:21-22).
  2. Adultery – “Do not commit adultery” → Jesus added lust in the heart as adultery (Matthew 5:27-28).
  3. Loving Enemies – Instead of just “love your neighbor,” Jesus taught love your enemy (Matthew 5:43-44).

Jesus’ teachings were not against the Torah but pushed it to a deeper, heart-based level.

3. Why Did Jesus Clash with Pharisees and Sadducees?

Jesus frequently debated with Pharisees and Sadducees, the two dominant Jewish groups of his time.

A. Who Were the Pharisees and Sadducees?

  • Pharisees – Torah scholars who followed both Written and Oral Law.
  • Sadducees – Priestly elite who only followed Written Law (rejected the Oral Torah).

B. Jesus' Criticism of Hypocrisy, Not the Torah

“Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You shut the kingdom of heaven in men’s faces.” (Matthew 23:13)

  • Jesus never criticized the Law itself—he criticized hypocrisy and legalism.
  • He called out leaders who burdened people with extra rules while failing to live them out.

C. Jesus' Teachings Were Similar to Some Pharisees

  • Some Pharisees actually agreed with Jesus (Luke 13:31, John 3:1-2).
  • Hillel vs. Shammai – Jesus often aligned with Rabbi Hillel’s views, such as in divorce laws (Matthew 19:3-9).

D. Jesus vs. The Sadducees: The Resurrection Debate

  • The Sadducees denied the resurrection (Matthew 22:23).
  • Jesus argued for resurrection using Exodus 3:6, showing deep knowledge of Torah.

4. How Christianity Separated from Judaism

A. Early Jewish Christians Still Kept Torah

  • Acts 21:20 – James (Jesus’ brother) said Jewish followers of Jesus were zealous for the Law.
  • Paul still observed Jewish customs (Acts 18:18, Acts 21:24-26).

B. The Temple’s Destruction (70 CE) Changed Everything

  • The Romans destroyed the Second Temple, forcing Judaism to rebuild without sacrifices.
  • Christianity spread among Gentiles, leading to less emphasis on Torah laws.

C. The Council of Nicaea (325 CE) Marked a Final Break

  • Constantine merged Christianity with Roman customs.
  • Jewish Christians were sidelined, and Sunday replaced Sabbath worship.

Conclusion: Jesus Was a Jewish Teacher, Not a Torah-Breaker

✅ Jesus was a Torah-observant Jew, not an opponent of Judaism.
✅ He debated Jewish law like other rabbis of his time.
✅ His teachings strengthened the Torah, not abolished it.
✅ His clashes with religious leaders were about hypocrisy, not rejecting Jewish law.

Next: The First Christians – Jewish or Something New?

In the next article, we explore:
🔹 The first followers of Jesus—did they still follow Jewish law?
🔹 Who were the Nazarenes and Ebionites?
🔹 How did Gentile believers change the movement?

Explore the Full Series

🔹 Jesus in History: What We Know for Certain
🔹 Jesus as a Jewish Rabbi: Torah and Law
🔹 The First Christians: Jewish or Something New?
🔹 The Early Church & Christian Doctrine
🔹 Christianity Divided: Catholic, Orthodox, Protestant
🔹 Trump’s Evangelicals vs. Biblical Christianity
🔹 Where Does Christianity Go From Here?

📌 Read the full series and discover where Christianity is heading next.

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