The term “Jews” in the Bible
refers to the descendants of
Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob,
also known as
the people of Israel
or the Hebrew people.
They are the ethnic and covenant people
through whom God chose to reveal Himself,
give the Law, the promises,
and ultimately send the Messiah.
Throughout Scripture,
the Jewish people hold
a unique and central place
in God’s redemptive plan.
The Jewish people trace their origin to the covenant God made with Abraham (Genesis 12:1-3; 15; 17). Through Isaac and Jacob, this covenant line continued, and the nation of Israel was formed. God chose them not because of their size or merit, but because of His sovereign love and purpose (Deuteronomy 7:6-8).
They were given:
Israel was called to be a kingdom of priests and a holy nation (Exodus 19:6), serving as a light to the surrounding nations.
Jesus was born a Jew, lived as a Jew, and ministered primarily among the Jewish people. Many Jews believed in Him during His earthly ministry and after the resurrection. However, the religious leadership in Jerusalem largely rejected Him, leading to His crucifixion.
The New Testament presents this rejection as part of God’s sovereign plan (Acts 2:23; 4:27-28), while also holding individuals accountable. At the same time, the Gospel message was first preached to the Jews (Romans 1:16), and thousands of Jews came to faith in the early chapters of Acts.
The Apostle Paul addresses the question of Israel’s place in God’s plan most thoroughly in Romans 9–11. Key points include:
Paul warns Gentile believers against arrogance toward the Jewish people and presents Israel’s story as one of both judgment and future mercy.
In the Church, the dividing wall between Jew and Gentile has been broken down (Ephesians 2:11-22). There is now “neither Jew nor Greek” in terms of spiritual standing or access to God (Galatians 3:28). Believing Jews and believing Gentiles are one new man in Christ and fellow heirs of the promises.
At the same time, the New Testament maintains a distinction between the Church and ethnic/national Israel. The Church does not replace Israel, nor does it erase God’s ongoing purposes for the Jewish people. Paul’s longing and prayer for his fellow Jews was that they would be saved (Romans 10:1).
The Jewish people occupy a unique and enduring place in God’s redemptive purposes as the people through whom the Messiah came and to whom many irrevocable promises were made. While the Church unites believing Jews and Gentiles as one new man in Christ, Scripture points to a future time of mercy and restoration for national Israel. The story of the Jews is therefore one of both profound privilege and ongoing divine faithfulness.