Was Jesus a Jew?

Victor Paul Wierwille

Was Jesus A Jew? CHAPTER I There is no foundation in fact for the implications and inferences that Jesus was a Jew. Historical authorities and an abundance of other proofs establish the fact that Jesus was not a Jew. During His lifetime Jesus was known as a Judean by His contemporaries and referred to Himself as a Judean and not as a Jew. Contemporary historians and theologians of Jesus' day, whose competence to pass upon this subject cannot be challenged by anyone today, referred to Jesus during his lifetime here on earth as a Judean and not as a Jew. Inscribed upon the cross when Jesus was crucified were the Latin words Iesus Nazarenus Rex Iudeorum. Latin was Pontius Pilate's mother-tongue. No one will question the fact that Pontius Pilate was well able to accurately express his own ideas in his own language. The authorities competent to pass upon the correct translation into English of the Latin Iesus Nazarenus Rex Iudeorum agree that it is "Jesus the Nazarene Ruler of the Judeans." Jesus was never regarded by Pontius Pilate nor by the Judeans among whom he dwelt as king of the Jews. Pontius Pilate was ironic and sarcastic when he ordered inscribed upon the cross the Latin words Iesus Nazarenus Rex Iudeorum. Jesus was being mocked by Pontius Pilate, for Jesus had been denounced by the Judeans. Except for his few followers at that time in Judea all other Judeans abhorred Jesus and detested his teachings and the things for which he stood. Pontius Pilate was himself the ruler of the Judeans at the time he ordered inscribed upon the cross the Latin words Iesus Nazarenus Rex Iudeorum. Pontius Pilate was the administrator in Judea for the Roman Empire. The inhabitants of Judea were Judeans to Pontius Pilate and not so-called Jews as they have been called since the 18th century only. In the time of Pontius Pilate in history there was no religious, racial or national group in Judea known as Jews nor had there been any group so identified anywhere else. The Latin word rex