Jesus and the Gentiles

Abstract

The Jews were important in the ministry of Jesus and as such important characters in the Gospels, which constitute the life of Jesus. However, they were not the exclusive contemporaries of Jesus. The Gentiles were not excluded in the mission of Jesus. They are referred to as the nations; they constitute all the other non-Jewish nations. Janice Capel Anderson identifies five major character groups in the Gospel according to Matthew. The character groups include: the Jewish leaders, the disciples, the crowd, the supplicants, and the Gentiles. Anderson notes further, “Each group is primarily characterized in terms of its relationship with Jesus, the protagonist”. The Gentile are thus presented as important also in the story of Jesus. They constitute an integral part of his mission. At his presentation in the Temple, the righteous and devout Simeon declared that he was the light for revelation to the Gentiles (or the nations) and for the glory of the people of Israel (Luke 2:32).