Jesus' Racism

It becomes apparent when reading the New Testament that Jesus meant for his message to be taken only to the Jewish people. It also seems apparent that he was at times a bit of a racist. The story of the Canaanite woman where he likens her people to "the dogs" makes this very apparent. As always there is no way to know whether the historical Jesus actually said these things or not.

Matthew 10
5These twelve Jesus sent out with the following instructions: "Do not go among the Gentiles or enter any town of the Samaritans.
6Go rather to the lost sheep of Israel.
7As you go, preach this message: 'The kingdom of heaven is near.'

Clearly Jesus did not intend for anyone except his own peope to benefit from his message. In fact, in the verses below we see that he did not intend for them to even understand his message, and purposefully spoke in a way they would not comprehend.

Mark 4

10 When he was alone, the Twelve and the others around him asked him about the parables.
11 He told them, "The secret of the kingdom of God has been given to you. But to those on the outside everything is said in parables
12 so that, " 'they may be ever seeing but never perceiving, and ever hearing but never understanding;
otherwise they might turn and be forgiven!'"

In yet another example of the Synoptic Problem Matthew repeats this verse. However, he edits it to make it appear to fulfill the prophesies.

Matthew 13

10 The disciples came to him and asked, "Why do you speak to the people in parables?"
11 He replied, "The knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of heaven has been given to you, but not to them.
12 Whoever has will be given more, and he will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken from him.
13 This is why I speak to them in parables:
"Though seeing, they do not see;
though hearing, they do not hear or understand.
14 In them is fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah:
" 'You will be ever hearing but never understanding;
you will be ever seeing but never perceiving.
15 For this people's heart has become calloused;
they hardly hear with their ears,
and they have closed their eyes.
Otherwise they might see with their eyes,
hear with their ears,
understand with their hearts
and turn, and I would heal them.'

And in yet another verse Jesus initially refuses to heal someone who isn't an Israelite, then insults her. She only obtains healing for her daughter by begging him.

Matthew 15

22 A Canaanite woman from that vicinity came to him, crying out, "Lord, Son of David, have mercy on me! My daughter is suffering terribly from demon-possession."
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 their dogs."
27 "Yes, Lord," she said, "but even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters' table."
28 Then Jesus answered, "Woman, you have great faith! Your request is granted." And her daughter was healed from that very hour.

In the Middle East calling someone a "dog" is the worst kind of insult. It is sad that the son of "God" had to be talked into helping someone, and only after insulting them.

 

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