Prejudice

Seen mainly in Scripture as a bias against places, peoples and ideas. It is sometimes so firmly rooted as to resist all contrary evidence.

Prejudice against places

John 1:46 See also John 7:41, John 7:52

“Can anything good come from Nazareth?” Nathanael asked. “Come and see,” said Philip.

Prejudice against people

Prejudice due to an attitude of superiority

John 7:49 See also 1 Samuel 10:27, 1 Samuel 25:10–11; Job 30:1–10; Isaiah 65:5; Luke 18:11

But this crowd that does not know the law— they are under a curse.”

Prejudice based on fear or jealousy

Exodus 1:9–10, Exodus 1:12–13; 1 Samuel 18:8–9, 1 Samuel 18:29

Prejudice against Jesus Christ

John 12:37 See also Matthew 9:34; Mark 6:2–3; John 9:29, John 10:20

Although Jesus had performed so many signs in their presence, they still did not believe in Him.

Prejudice may be based on false assumptions about people's behaviour

Hostility incorrectly assumed

Genesis 12:11–12 See also Genesis 20:1–2, Genesis 26:1–11

As he was about to enter Egypt, he said to his wife Sarai, “Look, I know that you are a beautiful woman, and when the Egyptians see you, they will say, ‘This is his wife.’ Then they will kill me but will let you live.

Motives misunderstood

Numbers 32:5–9 The leaders of Reuben and Gad chose to inhabit the fertile land in Transjordan but they were also prepared to cross the Jordan to help their brothers conquer the land. See also Numbers 32:14, Numbers 32:17; Joshua 22:10–24; 2 Samuel 10:3

“If we have found favor in your sight,” they said, “let this land be given to your servants as a possession. Do not make us cross the Jordan.” But Moses asked the Gadites and Reubenites, “Shall your brothers go to war while you sit here? Why are you discouraging the Israelites from crossing into the land that the LORD has given them? This is what your fathers did when I sent them from Kadesh-barnea to inspect the land. For when your fathers went up to the Valley of Eshcol and saw the land, they discouraged the Israelites from entering the land that the LORD had given them.

Prejudice in terms of partiality

Favouritism

Genesis 25:28, Genesis 37:3, Genesis 44:20, Genesis 44:27–29

People are often prejudiced in favour of their own kind

Matthew 5:46–47 parallel Luke 6:32–34 See also Luke 7:29, Luke 17:16; Acts 10:45; Luke 11:18

If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Do not even tax collectors do the same? And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even Gentiles do the same?

Prejudice on grounds of outward appearance or behaviour

James 2:3–4 See also 1 Samuel 16:7; 2 Samuel 14:25; Ecclesiastes 9:16; John 8:15; Romans 14:1, Romans 14:3, Romans 14:10, Romans 14:13; 1 Corinthians 4:5; Galatians 2:6

If you lavish attention on the man in fine clothes and say, “Here is a seat of honor,” but say to the poor man, “You must stand” or “Sit at my feet,” have you not discriminated among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts?

Prejudice due to race

Esther 3:5–6 See also Ezra 4:15–16; Nehemiah 4:1–4; Esther 3:8–14, Esther 7:4; Daniel 3:8–12, Daniel 6:3–9, Daniel 6:13

When Haman saw that Mordecai would not bow down or pay him homage, he was filled with rage. And when he learned the identity of Mordecai’s people, he scorned the notion of laying hands on Mordecai alone. Instead, he sought to destroy all of Mordecai’s people, the Jews, throughout the kingdom of Xerxes.

Partiality forbidden

Exodus 23:3 See also Leviticus 19:15; James 2:9

And do not show favoritism to a poor man in his lawsuit.

God is not prejudiced

God is impartial

Acts 10:34 See also Romans 2:11; Ephesians 6:9; Colossians 3:25

Then Peter began to speak: “I now truly understand that God does not show favoritism,

Job falsely accuses God of partiality

Job 9:16, Job 9:20, Job 9:30–31, Job 10:15–17

Prejudice which no contrary evidence would change

Luke 16:31 See also 1 Samuel 22:13–15; Matthew 11:21–23, Matthew 21:32; Acts 7:52, Acts 13:41

Then Abraham said to him, ‘If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be persuaded even if someone rises from the dead.’”

The Sadducees' prejudice against the resurrection

Matthew 22:23 parallels Mark 12:18, Luke 20:27 See also Acts 4:1–3, Acts 23:8

That same day the Sadducees, who say there is no resurrection, came to Jesus and questioned Him.