By: Gen. Jim – 10/12/25
Jn. 1:11: “He came unto His own, & His own received Him not.” (see also Jn. 4:22)
Q. Who is His own?
Rev. 5:5: “… weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Juda, the Root of David, hath prevailed…”
Q. Why Juda?
Mt. 1:1: “The book of the generation of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham.”
Q. Was Abraham a Jew? Was David a Jew?
Let’s Start
Rev. 5:5 says Jesus came from the tribe of Juda (Judah). This tribe plays a minor role in the Biblical narratives that pertain to pre-monarchic times. (in the book of Judges there are only occasional mentions of “Judah”; it was on the fringe of Saul’s kingdom. However, it came into prominence with David’s rise to power (David being a Judean from Bethlehem.
“Judah”, like the name “Israel”, is used in different ways in God’s Word. It can refer to the eponymous ancestor of the tribe of Judah (e.g., Gen. 29:35; 35:23; 37:26), to the tribe itself (e.g., Num. 2:3; 7:12; 10:14; Josh. 18:5; 19:1; Judg. 1:4), and to the kingdom of Judah, which covered much territory & included peoples of other tribal origins (e.g., 1 Kgs. 14:21,29; 15:1,7; Isa. 1:1; Jer. 1:2).
David, over the years, ruled over a kingdom south of Jerusalem, composed largely of the tribe of Judah (see 2 Sam. 5:4,5 & 1 Kgs. 2:11 etc.).
Solomon, David’s son, ruled this land. Following his death, the Israelites rebelled & established an independent kingdom of Israel (1 Kgs. 12:1-7). This kingdom of Judah remained in existence until approximately 925 BCE to the destruction of Jerusalem in 587-586 BCE. During the first 200 years of this period, the kingdoms of Israel & Judah existed side-by-side; at war with each other at times.
So, we inquire, was David a Jew, Solomon a Jew, was Israel Jewish? Was Rehoboam, Jeroboam, Abijah, Asa, Nadab, Baasha, Jehoshaphat, Elah, Omri, Ahab, Ahaziah, Jehoram, Jehu, Athaliah, Joash, Jehoahaz, Amaziah, Uzziah, Jeroboam II, Zechariah, Jotham, Shallum, Menahem, Jehoahaz I (Ahaz), Pekahiah, Pekah, Hoshea, Hezekiah, Manasseh, Amon, Josiah, Jehoahaz II, Jehoiachin, Jehoiakim, Zedekiah, Jews?
Jew
Much discussion about this word has gone forth. The “Jew” issue is in the news often here in U.S. politics: they are MOST HATED by some & most LOVED by others. The question arises, “What is a Jew?”, “Is Israel Jewish?” (by DNA).
The English word for “Jew”/ “J” is derived from Hebrew yehûdî (fem. yehûdît, “Judith” (e.g., Gen. 26:34 where Esau’s wife was named Judith). Also, in the Apocryphal/Deuterocanonical Books we find Judith. This Book is often characterized as a novel, understood as a folktale about a pious widow’s faith in God. The basis of the Greek version is Hebrew. (were the Hebrews “Jewish”?). The author of the Semitic version was, some believe, a Palestinian Jew, Judith has 16 chapters.
“Judean”
“Judith”, meaning “Judean”, by way of Greek “ioudaios” & Latin “judaeus”. The term is first used for citizens of the southern kingdom of Judah in 2 Kgs. 16:6; previously, make inhabitants of the kingdom, or of the tribe of Judah from which the kingdom took its name, were referred to as ‘îsyehûdá, lit., “man [men] of Judah” (e.g., 1 Sam. 11:8).
As a consequence of the exile of members of the upper classes of Judah by the Babylonians (597 & 587/586 BCE), many “Jews” were forcibly settled in Mesopotamia (e.g., 2 Kgs. 24-25; Jer. 52). It was reported that the prophet, Jeremiah, fled to Egypt & died there Jer. 43). This was the beginning of the “Jewish” dispersion, aka, Diaspora.
After this exile the term “Jew” came to be used for all descended from or identified with this ethnic/religious group, whatever their race or nationality. Thus, in Esther 2:5, Mordecai is identified both as a “Jew” & as a member of the tribe of Benjamin. The term “Jew” thus began to parallel the much more ancient designation “Israelite” (according to Profs. P.E. McGovern, Univ. of PA, Philadelphia & C.S. Enrich, Heidelberg, Germany).
New Testament “Jew”
In the N.T. “Jew” can designate both Jesus & many of his followers, as well as some enemies (e.g., Mk. 15:2; Acts 21:39; 1 Thes. 2:14-16). However, the rivalry between Christianity & Judaism, often made the word “Jew” pejorative in the Christian world.
Who is a “Jew”?
This is the question. Are “Jews” a social, religious, national, or ethnic people? Basically, the Halakhah, (Jewish tradition), has been that one born of a Jewish mother or one converted to Judaism is a “Jew” (no DNA).
The high court of Israel, in the Brother Daniel Rufeinsen case, has ruled that an apostate from Judaism cannot apply for citizenship as a “Jew” under the Law of Return.
Over the years the American Jewish Reform Movement has tried to redefine what a “Jew” is… to include, in addition to converts, anyone of Jewish descent (matrilineal – the halokhic position) or patrilineal (excluded by halakhah), who practices Judaism & identifies him/herself as a “Jew”.
Israel
The name “Israel” is conferred on Jacob (e.g., Gen. 32:28; 35:10; Hos. 12:3). The 12 sons of Jacob & their tribal descendants are called “the sons of Israel”. The earliest non-biblical ref. to Israel, according to prof. G.N. Knoppers, (PA. state Univ.), occurs on the inscription of Merneptah, king of Egypt (ca.1200 BCE).
It is noted that the 10 Northern tribes are called “Israel”; the 2 Southern tribes (which Judah was one) are called Judah; the residents were called Judeans. In rabbinic literature, “Israel” refers to the “Jews” or “Jewish people”, the land of Israel describes the country (see 2 Cor. 3:12; Rom. 11:26. Spiritually speaking, the Christians are the new Jews) Gal. 6:16 = “the Israel of God”. The heated debate over the issue of “replacement” is ongoing. According to Scripture, the N.T. born-again, Spirit-filled, water-baptized believers ARE TRUE ISRAEL – TRUE JEWS!!!
“Israel of God”
This upsets the racial Jews! But the Bible declares that converted/saved racial Jews & Gentiles make up “the Israel of God”. The only way for racial Jews to be God’s “chosen” is by Spirit birth (Jn. 3:3,5). Racial/ethnic Jews are no longer a covenant people.
Rom. 2:29: Paul is writing about Jewish circumcision (2:25-29). This Jewish custom is omitted in the new Ekklesia of God: spiritual circumcision replaced the physical cutting away of flesh. Paul writes, “For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh” (see Gal. 6:15,16) “For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth anything, nor uncircumcision, but a NEW creature (see 2 Cor. 5:17; Eph. 2:10). And as many as walk according to this rule, peace be on them, & mercy, & upon the Israel of God.”
Paul boldly states: “But he (or she) is a Jew, which is one inwardly; & circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, & not in the letter (law); whose praise is not of men, but of God.” Rom. 2:29, KJV. (see Rev. 2:9 = Jews = Synagogue of Satan!)
Genuine Jew
Paul makes it very clear that a racial Jew is not the true Jew (after Jesus’ death & resurrection). A true Jew is one that has repented of his/her sins, been forgiven & given the Holy Spirit, had their hearts purified, i.e., sins “Washed Away” by the Blood of Christ.
The N.T. stresses the inner character of the law’s demands, not mere outward religious rites/duties. God is concerned with the thoughts & intents of the heart. One can go about doing certain “lawful” things, but neglecting the purification of the mind & heart, which directs the body. One can go thru rote duties all the while lacks the TRUE spirit of obedience in humility, & love.
Paul declares: “For we (the Christians) are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, & rejoice in Christ Jesus…” Phil. 3:3. Do the racial Jews do this? No! Paul, in vs.5 speaks of “the Stock of Israel, tribe of Benjamin (Southern tribe of Judah), a Hebrew. Was Paul a “double Jew”? Yes! Paul was actually born in a pagan country, Tarsus, yet both parents were Hebrews. He became a Jewish Pharisee who persecuted Christians until converted himself.
Israel
Was Jacob a Jew? Gen. 32:28 reports God’s words to Jacob: “you shall no longer be called Jacob, but Israel…”
There was Abraham, Isaac, & Jacob. Was Abraham Jewish? No! He was from Ur (Gen. 11:31): He was “father of all nations” (Rom. 4:9), “faith was reckoned to Abraham for righteousness.” Heb. 11:8 says he was called to go out into a place, he obeyed. Isaac & Jacob dwelled in the same place (Canaan).
The “blessing” for all the peoples of the earth (via covenant with God) is ongoing (see Gen. 12:3; 18:18). His travels from (pagan) Ur/Haran thru Canaan into Egypt involves numerous theophanies (see Gen. 12:6, Shechem; 12:8, Bethel; 13:18, Hebron; 21:33, Beer-sheba; 22:14, Moriah).
Abraham is second only to Moses among N.T. heroes, More often, the truly Abrahamic descent of the “Jews” is acknowledged as a stimulus for them to live up to their heritage (Lk. 19:9; 16:24; Heb. 6:13). Prof. Robert North, Rome, Italy, in ref. to Abrahamic descent of the “Jews” forms a key factor in Paul’s anguished efforts to determine how & in what sense Christianity can claim the promises made to Israel (see Rom. 4:1,13; Gal. 3:7; 4:22). He says, ultimately, as “father of all belivers” (Gal. 3:7), Abraham is to be looked to as a source of unity & harmony rather that dissent among “Jews”, Christians, & Muslims. All 3 claim Abraham.
John 1:11
One author writes: “No one can be a Christian without loving the Jews. Jesus was Jewish, as were the Virgin Mary and all the apostles. The Bible is Jewish. The Lord has said, ‘Salvation is of the Jews’ (Jn. 4:22).” There are many that take issue with this – both in the Church & non-Christians.
“He came unto His own, & his own received Him not.”
Τα ιςια – to those of His own family, city, country: = “and His own people”, oι ιδιοι = His own citizens, brethren, subjects.
The Septuagint (O.T. Gk.), Josephus, & Arrian, use these words, Ταιδια & οι ιδιοτ, in the different senses gives them above. His own people – the Jews – “received Him not”. They did not, would not, acknowledge Him as their Messiah – they still do not (except the Messianic Jews).
I read these following words of Creeshna, (an incarnation of the Supreme Being, according to the theology of the ancient Hindus or Hindoos). Addressing one of his disciples, he says: “The foolish, being unacquainted with My supreme & divine nature, as Lord of all things, despise me in this human form; trusting to the evil, diabolic, & deceitful principle within them. They are of vain hope, of vain endeavours, of vain wisdom, & void of reason; whilst men of great minds, trusting to their divine natures, discover that I am before all things, & incorruptible, & serve me with their hearts undiverted by other beings.” (see Bhagavat Geeta, p.79. (also spelled Bhagavad-Gita, Hindu sacred text).
This saying is compared to the Jesus’ saying above. To receive Christ is to receive Him in belief that He was sent to the Jews by the very God they claim to believe in & worship.
Jn. 1:11 is parallel to “He was in the world… yet the world knew Him not” (vs.10) (KJV).
Other Translations:
Alford, N.T. = “… unto His own possessions…”
Modern Eng. = “… to His own creation…”
Olaf M. Norlie, N.T. = “… to His own world…”
Knot N.T. = “… to what was His own…”
Basic Eng. N.T. = “… to the things which were His…”
Amp. Bible = “He came to that which was His own, which belonged to Him…”
RSV = “He came to His own home…”
NIV = “He came to that which was His own…”
American Trans. = “He came to His home…” (Τά ‘ίδια is found in Jn. 16:32, “to his own” & 19:27, “his own home”.)
In Acts 21:6, “returned home again” This Gk. phrase is also found in Hellenistic writings.
There is a debate that this “His own people” may mean those who belong to Him as their creator, or the “Jews”, the race into which He was born; see Rom. 9:4,5 where Paul asks “who are Israelites; to whom pertaineth the adoption, & the glory, & the covenants, & the giving of the law, & the service of God, & the promises; whose are the fathers, & of whom as concerning the flesh Christ came, who is over all…”
Some do not believe Jesus was a Jew. Luke 4:16-30 discusses this.
Part 2 –
John 4:22
“Ye worship ye know not what: we know what we worship; for salvation is of the Jews” (or “salvation is from the Jews”).
This text is used to prove that Christianity is Jewish.
Jesus made that statement in discussing worship of God to the Samarian woman. Before Jesus made this statement, the woman said to Jesus, “How is it that thou, being a Jew, asketh drink of me…?”, vs.9. Did this woman know Jesus was a Jew? Some believe she knew by the way Jesus was dressed. Others say it was His language, He spoke the Galilean dialect, by which we find, from Mk. 14:70, a “Jew” of that district might be known.
“Salvation is from the Jews” (Ioudaios = the Jewish faith / Jew’s religion / Judaism) Jesus says, “we know what we worship,” meaning God, offering to Him only the sacrifices prescribed by the law. The Samaritans also believed in the same God, they rejected all the prophetical writings. (2 Kgs. 17:26-34). After Sanballot had built the temple on Mt. Gerizim, the idolatrous worship of the Cutheans & Sephavites, was laid aside; the same religious service being performed in the Samaritan temple which was performed in that at Jerusalem. “Salvation”, some scholars believe, seems here to mean the “Saviour”, the “Messiah”, as it does in Lk. 2:30; Acts 4:12; and so the woman appears to have understood it, vs.25 = “… I know that Messias cometh, which is called Christ…”
The Messiah was to spring from the Jewish faith – it was to the “Jews” that the promises were made; & it was in their prophetic Scripture, which the Samaritans rejected, that Jesus Christ was proclaimed & described (see Isa. 11:1-5 start with; Acts 13:23 says, “Of this man’s seed hath God according to His promise raised unto Israel a Saviour, Jesus”; see also Jer. 23:5 = “Branch”, “King” (vs.5); vs.6 has, “The LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS” (see 1 Cor. 1:30 where “Jesus Christ, who of God is made unto us wisdom, & righteousness, & sanctification, & redemption.”).
All Israel Shall Be Saved?
Romans 11:26 is misunderstood by many. It appears to mean ALL “Jews” eventually will be saved. I have written on this in other articles but now I just touch on it for the sake of this article. In short, vs.26 says that Israel shall be brought into the way of salvation – the same way the Gentiles did by & through repentance, not because of their race! The “Jews” must acknowledge Jesus as their Messiah /Saviour. Jesus brought Salvation to Israel first but we know the “Jews” as a nation rejected Him, murdering their very own Messiah (had it done by & through the Romans). Verse 26 DOES NOT MEAN ALL JEWS will be saved because they are Jews (actually, how many today – 2025 – are genuine Jews by blood?) Very few if any.
Saved?
The term “saved”, as applied to the Israelites in different parts of the Scripture, signifies no more than their being gathered out of the nations of the world, separated unto God, & possessed of the high privilege of being His peculiar people. And, as most scholars recognize, this is the meaning of the term, by finding it applied to the body of Israelites when this alone was the sum of their state.
Did Paul mean EVERY JEW will be saved because they are “Jews” or did Paul mean every Jew/Israelite that “shall turn away ungodliness” (vs.26)? Isa. 45:17 says, “But Israel will be saved by the LORD with an everlasting salvation…” The Heb. word for “saved” is yāsa’ = rescued, delivered, from yēsa’ – protection (of God); The Jews must do what both Jesus & John preached – REPENTANCE (see Mt. 3:2 & Mt. 4:17). No man will be saved without first repenting of his/her sins.
Isaiah makes it clear concerning “repentance”. “And He will come to Zion as Redeemer, to those in Jacob (or Israel) who TURN FROM TRANSGRESSION, says the LORD,” Isa. 59:20, RSV. Note the word “turn” (Heb., shûwb, a prim. root = “turn away from, break, repent, rescue, back off or away, withdraw from sin /transgression.) All Israel will be saved = “all who repent & turn away from transgression.” God keeps His promise to the Jews – they too can be SAVED (like the Gentiles who repented) but they must turn to Christ Jesus as Lord & Saviour.