Was Jesus sent only for the Jews?

Jesus said: “I was sent only to the lost sheep of Israel.”

When taken out of context, this answer that Jesus gave to a Canaanite woman makes it appear that the mission of Jesus was to the Jews alone. When read in the context of the story related by both Matthew and Mark, the opposite becomes apparent. Jesus came for all, the Jews and Gentiles.

The test of scripture shows that Jesus explained his mission was to bring about the restoration of the Jewish people to God. But he also reminds his followers that the reason God set apart a tribe of people–the Israelites–was to bring God’s blessing to all the world, not just the Jews. His recognition of the faith of this Gentile woman and the healing of her daughter, also a Gentile, demonstrated his intention to redeem all of creation.

Let’s look at the passage:

²² A Canaanite woman from that vicinity came to him, crying out, “Lord, Son of David, have mercy on me! My daughter is demon-possessed and suffering terribly.”

²³ Jesus did not answer a word. So his disciples came to him and urged him, “Send her away, for she keeps crying out after us.”

²⁴ He answered, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of Israel.”

²⁵ The woman came and knelt before him. “Lord, help me!” she said.

²⁶ He replied, “It is not right to take the children’s bread and toss it to the dogs.”

²⁷ “Yes it is, Lord,” she said. “Even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their master’s table.”

²⁸ Then Jesus said to her, “Woman, you have great faith! Your request is granted.” And her daughter was healed at that moment.

Matthew 15:22-28

Two other examples of Jesus showing that his mission was for people beyond the Jews were his responses to both a centaurion (a leader of Roman soldiers) (Matthew 8:5-13) and the non-Jewish woman at the well in Samaria (John 4:1-42)

Throughout the New Testament, we read of Jesus challenging the Jewish Religious leaders for leading the people they were supposed to serve astray. He wanted people to repent and turn to God, not mindlessly follow a set of rules. He wanted all people–Jews and Gentiles alike–to understand that what he had come to lead them into the Kingdom of God.

For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.
John 3:17

Jesus came for everyone

Jesus came for everyone. He died on a cross for everyone. He rose from the grave for everyone. He ascended into heaven for everyone. There he is preparing a place for everyone…who acknowledges His kingship and accepts the sacrifice He made on the cross on their behalf. If you would like to have the assurance of enjoying a forever relationship with God Himself, then we encourage you to read our post: How does one become a Christian?