Scriptural reasons for rejection of Jesus?

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We are all aware of the many verses in the OT that point to Jesus.

However the Jewish leaders rejected Him. Do the Jews use scripture to discredit Jesus?

Are there Scriptural passages that the Jews use to reject Jesus? Put another way - Are there passages that point to another Messiah?

Not looking for a fight.
Just Curious

James
 
First, we need to be clear that the Jewish definition of Messiah is different from the Christian definition. We don’t believe the Messiah will be God.

There is a whole history of disputations in which this issue was debated. There is scriptual verse in which GOd says he is not a man. I’m sure christians have an explanation for this, but it is not one that Jews accept.

If Jesus was the Messiah, we believe he would have been a military leader that would have united all the Jews and defeated our enemies (Rome at the time). He didn’t. I’m sure as a Christian you have an interpetation that confirms that he did this. We do not follow that interpetation.

I posted a rather exhaustive (for me) argument addressing this question on another thread. I’ll look for it later and post the highlights or the link.
 
Valke2 said:
First, we need to be clear that the Jewish definition of Messiah is different from the Christian definition. We don’t believe the Messiah will be God.

There is a whole history of disputations in which this issue was debated. There is scriptual verse in which GOd says he is not a man. I’m sure christians have an explanation for this, but it is not one that Jews accept.

If Jesus was the Messiah, we believe he would have been a military leader that would have united all the Jews and defeated our enemies (Rome at the time). He didn’t. I’m sure as a Christian you have an interpetation that confirms that he did this. We do not follow that interpetation.

I posted a rather exhaustive (for me) argument addressing this question on another thread. I’ll look for it later and post the highlights or the link.
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Thank you very much.
If you could post the link, that would be most kind.

James
 
Hi James, yes there are two pictures of the Messiah in Scriptures and in Jewish theology. Look for a book called the Messiah Texts by Raphael Patai for documentations. One is called Yeshua Ben David, the other Yeshua Ben Joseph. One is the suffering servant, the other the conquering King. The Jews in Jesus’ day and today are looking for the Conquering King, and it is those verses that Jewish people will emphasize. If you think about it, in both his comings, first as the Suffering Servant, and later as the conquering King, Jesus will in the end fulfill both pictures of the Messiah.

👍
 
JRKH said:
We are all aware of the many verses in the OT that point to Jesus.

However the Jewish leaders rejected Him. Do the Jews use scripture to discredit Jesus?

Are there Scriptural passages that the Jews use to reject Jesus? Put another way - Are there passages that point to another Messiah?

Not looking for a fight.
Just Curious

James
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Hopefully this will help
 
I find it interesting that each of the three monotheistic religions are awaiting a messiah of sorts. Christians and Muslims anticipate the return of Jesus and some Jewish people expect a messiah that is yet to come.

I’m wondering if there are also people from all three religions who believe that there will be an anti-messiah, or one who will misrepresent himself as the messiah.

I’ve spoken to one Muslim who said she believed this to be the case and many Evangelical Christians who do as well. Are there thoughtful Jewish people who believe something similar?
 
Socrates4Jesus said:
I’m wondering if there are also people from all three religions who believe that there will be an anti-messiah, or one who will misrepresent himself as the messiah.
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Well there have been any number who have wrongly thought themselves/been misrepresented as being Messiah - Jesus of Nazareth, Bar Kochba, Shabbati Zevi and Menachem Mendel Schneerson amongst others.

By the way, the term itself really just means somebody for whom God has a special purpose so there are people like Cyrus of Persia who are considered as ‘messiah’ but not (obviously) as ‘Messiah’ (‘King’ of the redeemed Jewish People).
 
Daniel_Marsh said:
Hi James, yes there are two pictures of the Messiah in Scriptures and in Jewish theology. Look for a book called the Messiah Texts by Raphael Patai for documentations. One is called Yeshua Ben David, the other Yeshua Ben Joseph. One is the suffering servant, the other the conquering King. The Jews in Jesus’ day and today are looking for the Conquering King, and it is those verses that Jewish people will emphasize. If you think about it, in both his comings, first as the Suffering Servant, and later as the conquering King, Jesus will in the end fulfill both pictures of the Messiah.

👍
Click to expand...
This reminded me of Justin Martyr in his discussions with Trypho… this is a good read … a bit long … but worth while. It is basically Justin’s discussion regarding Jesus to a Jew by the name of Trypho … and this gets brought up in their disucssions … apologetics 1800 years ago : )
 
Socrates4Jesus said:
I find it interesting that each of the three monotheistic religions are awaiting a messiah of sorts. Christians and Muslims anticipate the return of Jesus and some Jewish people expect a messiah that is yet to come.

I’m wondering if there are also people from all three religions who believe that there will be an anti-messiah, or one who will misrepresent himself as the messiah.

I’ve spoken to one Muslim who said she believed this to be the case and many Evangelical Christians who do as well. Are there thoughtful Jewish people who believe something similar?
Click to expand...
Jews are very leary about those who will claim to be a Messiah. We have good reason to be suspicious as those who have done so in the past have engaged in actions that has severely harmed Judaism (I’m not even thinking about Jesus right now). So yes, we definately believe there have been and will be false messiah’s.
 
I have seen it come up several times that their is a “jewish” understanding of messiah, a “christian” understanding and an “islamic” understanding - all three being different. Without any offence intended, shouldn’t the Jewish understanding prevail as it is concept/promise that originates in Judaism/Jewish people, was given to and by Jewish prophets in Jewish Holy Scriptures.

I mean, you can reinterpret anything and this seems to be difference between Judaism/Christianity and Islam. Even Ba’hai has their own understanding of the “messiah” and accordingly the Bub (bab??) was Christ returned for His second coming?
 
Kaninchen said:
Well there have been any number who have wrongly thought themselves/been misrepresented as being Messiah - Jesus of Nazareth, Bar Kochba, Shabbati Zevi and Menachem Mendel Schneerson amongst others.

By the way, the term itself really just means somebody for whom God has a special purpose so there are people like Cyrus of Persia who are considered as ‘messiah’ but not (obviously) as ‘Messiah’ (‘King’ of the redeemed Jewish People).
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Thank you for answering my question, Kan.

Yes, i understand the Hebrew word translated Messiah or Christ to mean the anointed one, or the one chosen by the only true God to save the Jewish people from some crisis. Please correct me if i misunderstand.

I suppose, then, King David, Gideon, Judas Maccabeus, and other military heroes might justifiably be called Messiahs. However, is there not a Jewish tradition that there is one who is the Messiah, who is to enter history in the future, and of whom the Hebrew Scriptures predict?
 
Valke2 said:
Jews are very leary about those who will claim to be a Messiah. We have good reason to be suspicious as those who have done so in the past have engaged in actions that has severely harmed Judaism (I’m not even thinking about Jesus right now). So yes, we definately believe there have been and will be false messiah’s.
Click to expand...
What do you think about all this, V2? Are you awaiting a Messiah to appear in modern times?
 
<<
If Jesus was the Messiah, we believe he would have been a military leader that would have united all the Jews and defeated our enemies>>

What you mean is you’re looking for Antichrist. This is EXACTLY what he will do.
 
Socrates4Jesus said:
What do you think about all this, V2? Are you awaiting a Messiah to appear in modern times?
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I’m waiting. I’m not holding my breath, but I’m waiting. I don’t believe that there will be a time where the Messiah comes and rights all wrongs through GOd. But rather, a time will come when we have righted enough wrongs to prepare the world for the Messiah. And when I say ‘believe’ it might be more accurate to say hope. It is my deepest hope that we, through our actions, will repair this world and usher in the Messianic Age.
 
Socrates4Jesus said:
I suppose, then, King David, Gideon, Judas Maccabeus, and other military heroes might justifiably be called Messiahs.
Click to expand...
I seem to recall that the concept first appeared after Solomon.
However, is there not a Jewish tradition that there is one who is the Messiah, who is to enter history in the future, and of whom the Hebrew Scriptures predict?
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Certainly, though that idea came later - after the defeat of the Kingdom of Israel.
 
Thank you both of you for answering my questions. When i reflect on what you have both said, i get the idea that it must be sorrowful for both of you.
 
Valke2 said:
If Jesus was the Messiah, we believe he would have been a military leader that would have united all the Jews and defeated our enemies (Rome at the time). He didn’t. I’m sure as a Christian you have an interpetation that confirms that he did this. We do not follow that interpetation.
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Ok Valke, honest question here. Assuming your modern Jewish messiah comes, who will be the enemies that he defeats?

As your rejection of Jesus is based on the fact that He did not fight the Romans, then that means your messiah will be a warrior.

But who is the modern enemy he would defeat? Palestinians? A few ignorant skinhead teenagers?
 
RomanCrusader said:
Ok Valke, honest question here. Assuming your modern Jewish messiah comes, who will be the enemies that he defeats?

As your rejection of Jesus is based on the fact that He did not fight the Romans, then that means your messiah will be a warrior.

But who is the modern enemy he would defeat? Palestinians? A few ignorant skinhead teenagers?
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That doesn’t sound like an honest question. I should live to see the day when Israel has such a shortage of enemies that I would have to struggle with that question.
 
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