How did Jesus treat foreigners and outsiders?

With honor and welcome. He praised a Roman centurion's faith (Matthew 8:10), spoke with a Samaritan woman (John 4), healed a Gentile woman's daughter (Mark 7:29), and dined with a hated tax collector (Luke 19).

Did Jesus welcome people of other nations?

Yes. He repeatedly crossed the ethnic and social barriers of his day, and he sent his followers to 'teach all nations' (Matthew 28:19). The kingdom he announced is for every people.

The words and acts of Jesus

How Jesus Treated Outsiders

Jesus kept crossing the lines his world drew hard. He praised the faith of a Roman soldier, spoke openly with a Samaritan woman, answered a Gentile mother's plea, and brought salvation to a despised tax collector's house. Each moment below is quoted from the King James Version and cited. In Jesus, the outsider is welcomed in.

Race, nation, gender, reputation: the barriers of Jesus' day were real and rigid. Again and again he stepped across them with honor and love. Here is what he actually did.

He praised a Roman soldier's faith

“Verily I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel.”

Matthew 8:10

A Gentile centurion trusted Jesus to heal with a word. Jesus marveled and held up this outsider's faith as an example to his own people.

He offered living water to a Samaritan woman

“If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water.”

John 4:10

Jews avoided Samaritans, and a rabbi speaking with a woman alone was scandalous. Jesus did both, and she became the first to tell her town about him.

He answered a Gentile mother's persistence

“For this saying go thy way; the devil is gone out of thy daughter.”

Mark 7:29

A Syrophoenician woman pressed her request with humble wit. Jesus honored her faith and healed her daughter.

He brought salvation to a tax collector

“This day is salvation come to this house, forsomuch as he also is a son of Abraham.”

Luke 19:9

Zacchaeus was shunned as a traitor. Jesus dined with him, called him a son of Abraham, and said he came to seek and save the lost (Luke 19:10).

He touched the untouchable

“And Jesus, moved with compassion, put forth his hand, and touched him, and saith unto him, I will; be thou clean.”

Mark 1:41

Lepers were shut out of society. Jesus reached across that line with a healing touch.

What this shows about Jesus

Jesus shows a God whose welcome runs wider than any human boundary. Nation, status, and past do not disqualify anyone from his love. The kingdom he brings is for every people, and the door stands open to the outsider.

A gentle door: Meet Jesus →Read John 1 →The gospel →

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These are his own words and deeds

Everything on this page is drawn straight from the Gospels, nothing added, nothing softened. The living Christ is not an argument to be won but a Person to be met, and he still draws near to everyone who comes to him with an open heart. Read his own words, watch what he does, and see. The Gospel of John is a gentle place to begin.

Meet Jesus Read the Gospel of John The gospel

Jesus Christ is Lord.

Frequently asked questions

How did Jesus treat foreigners and outsiders?: With honor and welcome. He praised a Roman centurion's faith (Matthew 8:10), spoke with a Samaritan woman (John 4), healed a Gentile woman's daughter (Mark 7:29), and dined with a hated tax collector (Luke 19).
Did Jesus welcome people of other nations?: Yes. He repeatedly crossed the ethnic and social barriers of his day, and he sent his followers to 'teach all nations' (Matthew 28:19). The kingdom he announced is for every people.

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