Was Jesus an Orthodox Jew?

[CatholicRon]

I’ve heard it mentioned a few times on CA Live that Mary and Joseph were possibly Orthodox Jews but can it be applied that Jesus was too?

Discuss.

 

[mdgspencer]

I’m not sure what these people actually meant. Orthodox Jews as one sort of Judaism today did not exist in the time of Jesus. The groups existing then were Pharisees, Saducees and Essenes. None of these were the same as Orthodox Jews found in the modern world. Perhaps the people who asked this question about Jesus simply did not say clearly enough what they meant?

 

[bkayw]

Jesus was the only High Priest who hadn’t been corrupted by Jewish history, the Herodian temple, or the Roman Empire.

 

[freerf]

I like this question. It makes me wonder what makes one orthodox? is it mere adherance to the law? probably the better question is what do you mean by orthodox? do you mean adhere to the law? if so, he was certainly that, but more. i suppose you might try to consider what you mean by the word.

It reminds me of a saying i heard on catholic radio, “more Catholic than the Pope”
Can one be more Orthodox than Jesus? The Pharisee would have certainly said yes.

 

[Nine_Two]

Orthodox Judaism originated in the 19th century, so no, Jesus was not a member of the group by that name.

Jesus was most likely a Pharisee, if he held any party affiliation. You’ll note that whenever he corrects them he always corrects them on how they act, and not their doctrine, and outside the belief in Christ as God, the early Christians seemed to agree with them on quite a bit. As opposed to the Saducees, whom Jesus tells are wrong in their beliefs (both directly and indirectly).

 

[Anglican_Gal]

I’ve heard it mentioned a few times on CA Live that Mary and Joseph were possibly Orthodox Jews but can it be applied that Jesus was too?

Discuss.

In Jesus’ day, all Jews were “orthodox,” although there were different parties: Pharisees who were ultra-legalists (you might equate them with the ultra-orthodox Jews of today); the Sadducees, who didn’t really have much faith in the supernatural, and denied the resurrection, etc., and other subgroups, such as those who preserved the Dead Sea scrolls. However, they all obeyed Torah, the Law of Moses. Jesus was often rebuked by the Pharisees for being too liberal (not having his disciples wash their hands in a certain way before eating, etc.). Jesus, Himself, kept the Law - and fulfilled it!

 

[Born_Warrior]

As stated already, the term Orthodox Jews was created in the 1800s.

Jesus, His family and disciples all kept Old Testament Law. Jesus was Jewish from the tribe of Judah (Hebrews 7:14).Joseph was descended from David (Matthew 1:6-16) as well as His mother (Luke 1:27, 32-34). Jesus was born the Kings of Jews (Matt. 2:2). His aunt was a Jewess and His uncle a Jew (Luke 1:5, 36).

Jesus was circumcised according to Jewish Law (Luke 2:21, Lev. 12:2-3). His mother Mary was atoned according to Jewish Law (Luke 2:24, Lev. 12:6-8). Matthew 2:1 states that Jesus was born in Bethlehem and grew up in Nazareth (Luke 2:39-40). Historians and archeologists agree both were Jewish nations during this time. Luke 2:39 state that both His uncle and aunt were Torah observant.

Jesus and His parents made a 140 mile round trip to Jerusalem every year for Passover (Deut. 16:16 – keeping Old Testament Law). At age 12 Jesus stayed for an extra three days to study the Torah (Luke 2:47 – studying Old Testament Law). John 1:45 tells us the disciples followed Jesus because He believed the Torah (Old Testament Law).

If anything, it is clear Jesus was an observant Jew.