A post-exilic designation for descendants of the people from the kingdom of Judah and also for adherents to their religion from other nations. The term is used extensively in the NT where it has a variety of nuances.
Early use of the term ``Jews''
Pre-exilic and exilic use
Jeremiah 40:11–12 See also Jeremiah 32:12, Jeremiah 34:8–9, Jeremiah 38:19, Jeremiah 40:15, Jeremiah 41:3, Jeremiah 43:8–9, Jeremiah 44:1, Jeremiah 44:26–27, Jeremiah 52:28–30; Daniel 3:8–12
When all the Jews in Moab, Ammon, Edom, and all the other lands heard that the king of Babylon had left a remnant in Judah and had appointed Gedaliah son of Ahikam, the son of Shaphan, over them, they all returned from all the places to which they had been banished and came to the land of Judah, to Gedaliah at Mizpah. And they gathered an abundance of wine grapes and summer fruit.
Used of the citizens of the province of Judah
Ezra 5:1 See also Ezra 4:23, Ezra 5:5, Ezra 6:7–8, Ezra 6:14; Nehemiah 2:16, Nehemiah 4:1–2, Nehemiah 4:12, Nehemiah 5:6–8, Nehemiah 5:17, Nehemiah 6:5–7; Zechariah 8:23
Later, the prophets Haggai and Zechariah son of Iddo prophesied to the Jews in Judah and Jerusalem in the name of the God of Israel, who was over them.
Used of the descendants of the exiles from the southern kingdom
Esther 2:5 See also Ezra 4:11–12, Ezra 7:12–20; Esther 3:1–6, Esther 3:13, Esther 4:3, Esther 4:12–14, Esther 6:12–13, Esther 8:5–13, Esther 9:1–3, Esther 9:30–31, Esther 10:3
Now there was at the citadel of Susa a Jewish man from the tribe of Benjamin named Mordecai son of Jair, the son of Shimei, the son of Kish.
NT use of the term ``Jews''
Jewish people in general
Mark 7:3 See also Matthew 28:15; Luke 7:3; John 2:6, John 4:9, John 4:19–22, John 8:31–32, John 11:18–19, John 11:31–33, John 11:45, John 12:9–11, John 18:20
Now in holding to the tradition of the elders, the Pharisees and all the Jews do not eat until they wash their hands ceremonially.
Those Jewish leaders who were hostile to Jesus Christ
John 19:31 See also John 2:18–20, John 5:1–18, John 6:35–42, John 7:1, John 7:11–15, John 8:48–59, John 9:1–34, John 10:22–33, John 18:12–14, John 18:28–31, John 19:38, John 20:19
It was the day of Preparation, and the next day was a High Sabbath. In order that the bodies would not remain on the cross during the Sabbath, the Jews asked Pilate to have the legs broken and the bodies removed.
Jesus Christ as ``king of the Jews''
Matthew 27:37 parallels Mark 15:26, Luke 23:38, John 19:19–21 See also Matthew 2:1–2, Matthew 27:11 parallels Mark 15:2, John 18:33; Matthew 27:27–31 parallel Mark 15:16–20; John 19:1–6; Mark 15:6–14 parallel John 18:38–40
Above His head they posted the written charge against Him: THIS IS JESUS, THE KING OF THE JEWS.
The gospel first preached to the Jews
Acts 11:19; Romans 10:16–21 See also Acts 2:1–41, Acts 10:23–48, Acts 13:14–43; Romans 1:16, Romans 15:8–9; Galatians 2:7–9
Meanwhile those scattered by the persecution that began with Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch, speaking the message only to Jews.
But not all of them welcomed the good news. For Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed our message?” Consequently, faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ. But I ask, did they not hear? Indeed they did: “Their voice has gone out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world.” I ask instead, did Israel not understand? First, Moses says: “I will make you jealous by those who are not a nation; I will make you angry by a nation without understanding.” And Isaiah boldly says: “I was found by those who did not seek Me; I revealed Myself to those who did not ask for Me.” But as for Israel he says: “All day long I have held out My hands to a disobedient and obstinate people.”
Opposition of certain Jews to the gospel
Acts 20:19 See also Acts 6:8–14, Acts 9:23–25, Acts 9:28–30, Acts 12:1–3, Acts 13:44–45, Acts 13:49–50, Acts 14:1–6, Acts 14:19, Acts 17:4–9, Acts 17:13, Acts 18:1–6, Acts 18:12–17, Acts 20:3; 2 Corinthians 11:23–25; Acts 21:27–36, Acts 23:12–15, Acts 24:1–9, Acts 25:1–7, Acts 26:19–21
I served the Lord with great humility and with tears, especially in the trials that came upon me through the plots of the Jews.
Believers described as Jews and Gentiles
Acts 6:1 See also Acts 21:20–21, Acts 21:39, Acts 22:1–3; Romans 9:23–24; 1 Corinthians 1:22–24, 1 Corinthians 12:13
In those days when the disciples were increasing in number, the Grecian Jews among them began to grumble against the Hebraic Jews because their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food.
Jews and Gentiles equal in Christ
Romans 11:25–32; Galatians 3:26–29 See also Romans 3:27–30, Romans 10:12–13; 1 Corinthians 12:12–13; Colossians 3:11
I do not want you to be ignorant of this mystery, brothers, so that you will not be conceited: A hardening in part has come to Israel, until the full number of the Gentiles has come in. And so all Israel will be saved, as it is written: “The Deliverer will come from Zion; He will remove godlessness from Jacob. And this is My covenant with them when I take away their sins.” Regarding the gospel, they are enemies on your account; but regarding election, they are loved on account of the patriarchs. For God’s gifts and His call are irrevocable. Just as you who formerly disobeyed God have now received mercy through their disobedience, so they too have now disobeyed, in order that they too may now receive mercy through the mercy shown to you. For God has consigned everyone to disobedience so that He may have mercy on everyone.
You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed and heirs according to the promise.
Jews and Gentiles equally in need of salvation
Related themes
Dictionary of Bible Themes © 1999 Martin Manser, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0, via Bible Aquifer. Formatted for this site, with Scripture from the Berean Standard Bible.