Common Jewish Objections to Jesus as the Messiah

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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)

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)

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

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”

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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