Ask a Priest: Is Jesus Jewish or Christian?

“In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom also he made the universe.” (Hebrews 1: 1-4)

The simple answer to your question is Jesus is both Jewish and Christian.

In the Old Testament, God built up the Israelite people to be his own people. He communicated himself to them through the law and prophets. God does not discard what he had begun in the people of Israel, but fulfills his plan in the person of Jesus. While God reveals himself to the Israelite people through the law and prophets, he fulfills the plans and promises he made in the person of Jesus Christ who is God himself taking the stage.

Jesus himself stated, “salvation is from the Jews.” (John 4: 22) Jesus lived as a faithful Jew, and also established the fulfillment of the Jewish religion.

St. Peter, in his first speech after the Holy Spirit had descended upon the Apostles, speaking to a crowd of Jewish people in Jerusalem, states, “Let the whole house of Israel know for certain that God has made him both Lord and Messiah, this Jesus whom you crucified.” (Acts 2:36)

From the very beginning of the Apostle’s message as they preached about Jesus to the world, they acknowledged that he was fulfilling the Jewish religion.