View source for Common Jewish Objections to Jesus as the Messiah

== Common Jewish Objections to Jesus as the Messiah ==

Jewish objections to Jesus generally fall into five main categories based on biblical interpretation, theological beliefs, and historical expectations.

=== 1. The Messiah Was Expected to Fulfill Specific Prophecies ===

'''Jewish View''':  
The Messiah must:
* Rebuild the '''Third Temple''' (Ezekiel 37:26–28)
* Bring '''universal peace''' (Isaiah 2:4)
* Gather all Jews back to '''Israel''' (Isaiah 11:12)
* Bring universal '''knowledge of God''' (Jeremiah 31:33–34)

'''Objection''':  
Jesus did '''not fulfill''' these prophecies in his lifetime. Therefore, he cannot be the Messiah.


'''Christian View''':  
Jesus’ mission is unfolding in '''two comings''':

* At His '''first coming''', He fulfilled prophecies about the '''suffering servant''' (Isaiah 53), bearing sin, and offering spiritual salvation.
* At His '''second coming''', He will fulfill the remaining messianic prophecies, including peace, judgment, and restoration.

'''Support''':
* Zechariah 9:9 shows a humble king riding a donkey (fulfilled)
* Zechariah 14 and Daniel 7 describe future victory and rule (awaiting fulfillment)

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=== 2. The Torah Is Eternal and Unchanging ===

'''Jewish View''':  
The Torah is '''divine''', '''complete''', and '''unchangeable''' (Deuteronomy 13:1; Psalm 119).  
Any teaching that alters or overrides the Torah is considered false.

'''Objection''':  
Jesus (or Paul) appeared to '''abolish or override''' Torah laws—such as Sabbath observance, dietary restrictions, and sacrificial laws—which contradicts the Torah’s eternal authority.


'''Christian View''':  
Jesus did not abolish the Torah; He fulfilled it (Matthew 5:17).

* He deepened its moral meaning (e.g., internalizing commandments)
* He instituted a '''new covenant''' promised in Jeremiah 31:31–34, where God's law is written on hearts, not just tablets

'''Support''':
* Hebrews 8–10 shows the Old Covenant as a shadow of the New
* Sacrifices were temporary; Jesus’ death fulfilled them (Isaiah 53, Psalm 40:6–8)

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=== 3. The Messiah Is a Human Leader — Not Divine ===

'''Jewish View''':  
The Messiah is a '''righteous human king''' from the line of David, not a divine being.  
Worshiping a man is viewed as '''idolatry''' (Exodus 20:3–5; Deuteronomy 6:4).

'''Objection''':  
Claiming that Jesus is '''God incarnate''' contradicts strict '''monotheism''' and the foundational '''Shema''':  
''“Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one.”'' (Deuteronomy 6:4)

'''Christian View''':  
Jesus is the eternal Word made flesh (John 1:1,14), fully God and fully man. This is not a contradiction of monotheism, but a mystery revealed in the incarnation.

* The Hebrew Bible hints at divine Messiah:
  * Psalm 110:1 — “The Lord said to my Lord…”
  * Daniel 7:13–14 — “Son of Man” given glory and worship
  * Isaiah 9:6 — Messiah called “Mighty God”

'''Support''':
* God’s unity (echad) in Deuteronomy 6:4 allows for compound unity
* Angel of the Lord appears with divine authority in the Torah

See More Details here: [[Why the Messiah Must be Divine]]

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=== 4. Jesus Did Not Restore Jewish Sovereignty ===

'''Jewish View''':  
The Messiah is expected to defeat Israel’s enemies and '''restore the Davidic kingdom''' (Amos 9:11; Jeremiah 23:5–6).

'''Objection''':  
Jesus was crucified by the Romans. He did not '''free Israel from oppression''' or reign as a political king.


'''Christian View''':  
Jesus did not come first to bring political liberation, but to defeat the deeper enemy: sin and death.

* His kingdom is spiritual now and will be fully visible at His return
* Many Jews in the first century expected a military king and missed the suffering servant

'''Support''':
* Isaiah 53: rejected, pierced, and yet justified many
* John 18:36 — “My kingdom is not of this world”

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=== 5. The Concept of a “Second Coming” is Unscriptural ===

'''Jewish View''':  
The Messiah is supposed to accomplish all tasks in '''one lifetime'''.  
There is '''no scriptural basis''' for a Messiah who dies and returns later.

'''Objection''':  
The Christian concept of a '''Second Coming''' is viewed as an '''after-the-fact explanation''' to justify Jesus’ failure to fulfill key messianic expectations.

'''Christian View''':  
The idea of a second coming is consistent with Scripture, though not always explicit.

* The prophets often merge first and second coming prophecies without time separation
* Jesus Himself predicted His return (Matthew 24)

'''Support''':
* Daniel 7: the Son of Man’s final glory comes after initial suffering
* Zechariah 12:10 — Israel will “look on Him whom they pierced”

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