Why prioritize the Jews in spreading the gospel?

I. Historical and Covenantal Background

From the earliest biblically recorded moments, a unique relationship emerges between God and the descendants of Abraham. In Genesis 12:1–3, God promises to make Abraham a great nation and to bless “all the families of the earth” through him. This foundational covenant sets the stage for why the Jewish people hold a special place in the plan of redemption.

God reaffirms this covenant with Isaac (Genesis 26:3–4) and Jacob (Genesis 28:13–14), thereby establishing the family line that would become the Israelite nation. Over centuries, this nation receives the Law, experiences God’s direct guidance, and becomes a beacon for understanding God’s character and unfolding promises.

Archaeological evidence supports Israel’s early presence in the Near East, with references such as the Merneptah Stele (c. late 13th century BC) mentioning “Israel” in Canaan. These external inscriptions, alongside the biblical record, testify to a real historical people group chosen to keep and preserve the knowledge of God.

II. Israel’s Role in Revealing God’s Character

The Jewish people become stewards of divine revelation. As Romans 9:4–5 notes, they receive “the adoption as sons, the divine glory, the covenants, the giving of the Law, the temple worship, and the promises.”

They preserve the Scriptures (the Old Testament or Hebrew Bible), which foretell the coming Messiah. The Dead Sea Scrolls, discovered in the mid-20th century near Qumran, show remarkable consistency between ancient Hebrew texts and the modern Old Testament, emphasizing the reliability of Jewish scribal practices through the centuries. These texts confirm the meticulous care taken to safeguard God’s word, thus highlighting Israel’s role as guardians of revelation.

III. The Messiah from Israel

From the line of David arises the Messiah, fulfilling numerous Old Testament prophecies. Isaiah 7:14 speaks of a virgin bearing a son called Immanuel, and Micah 5:2 pinpoints Bethlehem as the place of His birth.

These prophecies converge in the life of Jesus, who is identified in Matthew 1:1 as “the son of David, the son of Abraham.” His Jewish lineage is central to showing He is the long-awaited Deliverer, demonstrating the prophetic continuity from the Hebrew Scriptures to the New Testament.

IV. “First to the Jew” in the Apostolic Mission

Scripture explicitly teaches the priority of proclaiming the good news to Jews. Romans 1:16 states: “I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes—first to the Jew, then to the Greek.”

Jesus initially focuses His ministry on “the lost sheep of the house of Israel” (Matthew 10:6), reflecting God’s faithfulness to His ancient covenant people. Even after His resurrection, the book of Acts consistently depicts the apostles preaching in Jewish synagogues first whenever they enter a new city (Acts 13:14–16, 46).

This pattern honors God’s historical covenant and underscores that the fulfillment of His promises is first recognized by the covenant people who eagerly awaited the Messiah.

V. Example of Paul’s Approach

Paul, though recognized as the Apostle to the Gentiles, repeatedly prioritizes Jewish audiences wherever he travels. In Acts 17:1–2, upon arriving in Thessalonica, he goes first to the synagogue. Paul explains in Acts 13:46 that “It was necessary that the word of God be spoken to you first. But since you reject it and do not consider yourselves worthy of eternal life, we now turn to the Gentiles.”

This demonstrates not only love for his own people but also faithfulness to the principle that the gospel was intended to be announced to the Jews as a fulfillment of God’s covenant promises, then extended to the rest of the world.

VI. Fulfillment of Old Testament Prophecy

Passages such as Isaiah 49:6 depict Israel as a light to the nations, culminating in a Messiah who would reach not only Israel but also the Gentiles. When believers share the gospel first with Jewish communities, it mirrors the narrative of the entire biblical storyline: that salvation emanates outwards from the covenant people to every nation, tribe, and tongue.

The resurrection of Christ, attested by multiple eyewitness accounts (1 Corinthians 15:3–8), serves as the pivotal event verifying that Jesus is the promised Messiah. Early Jewish disciples proclaim this news first to their own people, which aligns with Old Testament foreshadowing of the Messiah’s redemptive role on behalf of Israel. These early Jewish believers then carry the good news throughout the Roman Empire and beyond.

VII. Upholding God’s Faithfulness

Prioritizing the Jews honors God’s unwavering promises. Romans 11 addresses questions about Israel’s place in salvation history, indicating that God has not cast away His people. Instead, salvation history unfolds in a manner consistent with God’s covenants.

By presenting the gospel to Jewish communities first, believers acknowledge God’s faithfulness to His covenants, demonstrating that His ancient promises and modern proclamation of salvation are harmoniously fulfilled in Christ.

VIII. Practical Implications for Evangelism

1. Respect for Historical Roots: Sharing the gospel first with Jewish communities upholds respect for the lineage through which Scripture passes down to us. The continuity between the Old and New Testaments becomes evident when communicating Jesus as the promised Messiah.

2. Validation of God’s Word: This priority showcases that biblical prophecy holds true. When those of Jewish heritage come to see Jesus as their Messiah, it provides a compelling testimony of Scripture’s reliability.

3. Emphasis on Unity: While the invitation to salvation transcends all cultural and ethnic boundaries (Galatians 3:28), beginning with Israel highlights the unity and coherence of God’s plan—showing it is “to the Jew first” but also to every nation without exception.

IX. Conclusion

Scripture consistently attests that God’s covenantal plan, culminating in the resurrection of Christ, starts with Israel and extends to every corner of humanity. From the patriarchal covenants of Genesis, to the oracles of the prophets, to Jesus’ own directive and the apostolic practice in Acts, the pattern emerges plainly: the Jews are first in receiving the good news of the Messiah they expected.

Prioritizing the Jews in spreading the gospel aligns with God’s established covenantal framework, upholds the continuity of biblical prophecy, and confirms the reliability of Scripture’s claims. This faithful approach reflects the grandeur of a plan that began with Abraham and now, through the Resurrection, reaches to all people everywhere—testifying to God’s steadfast love and the truth of the Scriptures as His unbreakable word.