Topical Bible: Gentiles: The Jews: Despised, As If Dogs

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In the biblical context, the term "Gentiles" refers to the nations or peoples who are not of Jewish descent. Throughout the Scriptures, the relationship between Jews and Gentiles is complex, often marked by tension and misunderstanding. One of the more striking aspects of this relationship is the perception of Gentiles by some Jews as being akin to "dogs," a term that conveys a sense of disdain and uncleanliness.

The use of "dogs" as a metaphor for Gentiles can be seen in several passages of the Bible. In the Gospel of Matthew, a Canaanite woman approaches Jesus, pleading for her demon-possessed daughter to be healed. Jesus initially responds, "It is not right to take the children’s bread and toss it to the dogs" (Matthew 15:26). Here, "children" refers to the Israelites, while "dogs" refers to the Gentiles, highlighting the prevailing Jewish view of Gentiles as outsiders to the covenant blessings.

This metaphor is not merely an expression of cultural prejudice but is rooted in the Jewish understanding of holiness and separation. The Jews were called to be a distinct people, set apart by God through the covenant with Abraham and the Law given to Moses. This separation was both physical and spiritual, as the Jews were to avoid practices and associations that would lead them away from their covenantal obligations.

The Apostle Paul, in his epistles, addresses the division between Jews and Gentiles, emphasizing that in Christ, such distinctions are overcome. In his letter to the Ephesians, Paul writes, "Therefore remember that formerly you who are Gentiles in the flesh and called 'uncircumcised' by the so-called 'circumcision'... remember that at that time you were separate from Christ, excluded from citizenship in Israel and foreigners to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without God in the world" (Ephesians 2:11-12). Paul acknowledges the historical separation but points to the reconciliation made possible through Jesus Christ.

The early church grappled with the inclusion of Gentiles, as seen in the Acts of the Apostles. The Jerusalem Council, recorded in Acts 15, addressed the question of whether Gentile converts needed to adhere to Jewish law. The council concluded that Gentiles were not required to follow the entirety of the Mosaic Law, affirming their place in the Christian community without the need for circumcision or adherence to dietary laws.

Despite the initial Jewish perception of Gentiles as "dogs," the New Testament reveals a transformative message of unity and equality in Christ. The barriers that once divided Jews and Gentiles are dismantled through the redemptive work of Jesus, who extends the promise of salvation to all people, regardless of ethnic or cultural background. This theological shift underscores the inclusive nature of the Gospel and the fulfillment of God's promise to bless all nations through Abraham's seed.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Matthew 15:26
But he answered and said, It is not meet to take the children's bread, and to cast it to dogs.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Barriers Broken Down
... in His work of mercy toward one of a despised people for ... which had been hid for ages,
that the Gentiles should be fellow heirs with the Jews, and "partakers ...
/.../white/the desire of ages/chapter 43 barriers broken down.htm

The Second Part.
... that He whom on earth they despised, in heaven ... Even the Jews have been proved sinners;
because "there is ... not envied the salvation of the Gentiles, because they ...
/.../augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/the second part 2.htm

The Twenty-Second Psalm.
... Dogs" and "the assembly of the wicked" "Gentiles and Jews ... and feet;" crucifixion,
unknown among the Jews when David ... But as He is rejected and despised so are ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/gaebelein/the lord of glory/the twenty-second psalm.htm

Psalm LXXXII.
... by these Gods the gods of the Gentiles, or idols ... sons and brought them up, but they
despised Me," [3830 ... numerous, that, as the Gospel says, the Jews feared them ...
/.../augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm lxxxii.htm

John iii. 35, 36
... them, drove Him away; they of the Gentiles, when He ... The Jews, on the contrary, not
only did not call ... And therefore, as despised by thee, He hath threatened thee ...
/.../homilies on the gospel of st john and hebrews/homily xxxi john iii 35.htm

Pilate
... His words, "they shall deliver Him unto the Gentiles." And the ... on behalf of the King
of the Jews, " appealing to men whom he hated and despised, and whose ...
/.../chadwick/the gospel of st mark/chapter 15 1-20 pilate.htm

On Feast Days and Fast Days.
... mode of life and have contemned the lifeless idols, and despised the demons ... did suggest
to us;" [3133] and we preached both to Jews and Gentiles, that He is ...
/.../various/constitutions of the holy apostles/sec iii on feast days and.htm

Letter Lxxxii. (AD 405. )
... addressed not to any one individual, but to Jews and Greeks, and all those Gentiles
who were his ... correction is not to be refused nor despised, even when ...
/.../augustine/the confessions and letters of st/letter lxxxii a d 405.htm

Holy violence
... Then, again, they were Gentiles too; and Jews stood at the gate, and said, "Stand
back, you ... Then God himself comes forth to vindicate his despised servant. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 5 1859/holy violence.htm

Psalm XXXIV.
... Christ was crucified amid the Jews raging and seeing; the Gentiles ... Whereby approach
the Gentiles? ... being in torments, from the finger of that despised poor man ...
/.../augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm xxxiv.htm