Common Jewish Objections

For centuries, Jewish scholars and rabbis have presented arguments against Jesus being the promised Messiah. However, a careful examination of the Hebrew Scriptures (Tanakh) and the New Testament reveals that Jesus not only meets the Messianic requirements but fulfills them in ways that are undeniable. Below, we address the most common Jewish objections and provide biblical evidence that Jesus is the Messiah.

The Messiah is supposed to bring peace and end all war (Isaiah 2:4, Micah 4:3). Since wars and suffering still exist, Jesus could not be the Messiah.

The Messiah’s mission unfolds in two stages—His first coming was to redeem people from sin; His second coming will establish global peace.

• First Coming (Suffering Servant):
  
  • Isaiah 53:5 – "The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed."
  • Jesus brought spiritual peace through His sacrifice (John 14:27).
• Second Coming (Reigning King):
  
  • Zechariah 14:3-4 – The Messiah will return and stand on the Mount of Olives, establishing His kingdom.
  • Revelation 19:11-16 – Jesus will return as the conquering King.

The mistake is in expecting the full fulfillment of the Messianic age immediately, whereas the Bible clearly teaches that it happens in two phases.

The Messiah was supposed to rebuild the Temple (Ezekiel 37:26-28). Jesus did not rebuild the Temple, so He cannot be the Messiah.

Jesus did fulfill this prophecy—just not in the way people expected.

• Jesus declared, "Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up." (John 2:19)
• He was referring to His body, which was resurrected after three days.
• The ultimate temple is not a physical building but God dwelling with His people (Revelation 21:22).

However, the prophecy in Ezekiel refers to a future physical temple, which will be fulfilled when Jesus returns (Zechariah 6:12-13).

The Messiah must be a direct descendant of David (2 Samuel 7:12-13), but Jesus’ genealogy is questionable since Joseph was not His biological father.

Jesus’ lineage fulfills the requirement both legally and biologically.

• Through Joseph (legal inheritance): Matthew 1:1-17 shows Jesus as the legal heir to David’s throne through Solomon.
• Through Mary (biological descent): Luke 3:23-38 traces Jesus' bloodline through David’s son Nathan, preserving His physical descent.

Even if Joseph wasn’t Jesus’ biological father, adoption was a valid means of transferring lineage in Jewish law.

The Messiah is supposed to be a human leader, not divine. Deuteronomy 6:4 says, "The Lord our God, the Lord is One," so Jesus' claim of divinity contradicts Jewish monotheism.

The Hebrew Scriptures contain numerous hints of the Messiah’s divine nature:

• Isaiah 9:6 – "For unto us a Child is born… and His name will be called Mighty God, Everlasting Father."
• Psalm 110:1 – "The Lord said to my Lord, ‘Sit at My right hand.’" If the Messiah is only human, why does David call Him "Lord"?
• Daniel 7:13-14 – The Messiah (Son of Man) receives eternal worship and dominion, a role reserved only for God.

Jesus’ claim to be God was not a contradiction of Jewish belief—it was a fulfillment.

There are many unfulfilled Messianic prophecies, such as world peace (Isaiah 2:4) and the gathering of all Jews to Israel (Isaiah 11:12).

The prophecies are divided into two types:

1. Suffering Servant (First Coming) – Isaiah 53 (Jesus’ death and atonement).
2. Reigning King (Second Coming) – Zechariah 14:9 (Jesus’ future rule).

Just because certain prophecies have not been fulfilled yet does not mean Jesus isn’t the Messiah. His first mission was to atone for sin, and He will return to complete the work.

If Jesus were the true Messiah, why would the majority of Jews reject Him?

The Hebrew Scriptures predicted that the Messiah would be rejected by His own people:

• Isaiah 53:3 – "He was despised and rejected by men."
• Psalm 118:22 – "The stone which the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone."
• Zechariah 12:10 – "They will look on Me whom they pierced, and they will mourn for Him as one mourns for an only son."

The rejection of Jesus was prophesied—His return will bring recognition among the Jewish people.

The Messiah is supposed to be a victorious king, not suffer and die.

The suffering of the Messiah is clearly foretold in Jewish scriptures:

• Isaiah 53 – "He was wounded for our transgressions… by His stripes we are healed."
• Psalm 22 – "They pierced My hands and My feet… They divide My garments among them."
• Zechariah 12:10 – The Messiah will be pierced before Israel recognizes Him.

These prophecies were written before Jesus’ time and confirm His role as the Suffering Servant.

Every Jewish objection is met with overwhelming evidence from the Tanakh itself. The Messiah was always meant to come twice—first to suffer and atone, and later to reign in glory.

The very scriptures that Jews cherish point unmistakably to Jesus of Nazareth. His life, death, and resurrection are the fulfillment of God’s promises. The choice now is whether to accept what the prophets have foretold.

"If you believed Moses, you would believe Me; for he wrote about Me." – John 5:46