Witnessing to Jews—what is the key?

As a preface to this answer, please see our article on Judaism and what Jews believe. We also recommend our overview of the various sects of Judaism.

Probably the first step to witnessing to the Jewish people is recognizing the need. “Today less than two percent of the world Jewry believe Jesus to be Israel’s Messiah” (https://lausanne.org/network/jewish-evangelism, accessed 6/30/26). We dare not accept the notion that the Jews have their own way of salvation apart from Christ. Jesus told Nicodemus, a leader of the Jews, that he must be born again (John 3:3, 7). Following tradition and keeping the law cannot save anyone (Romans 3:20; 1 Peter 1:18). Salvation requires faith in Christ—Jesus is the only way to the Father (John 14:6). The gospel of Christ is for everyone: “For the Jew first and also for the Greek” (Romans 1:16, NKJV).

Having a heart to evangelize the Jews is also important. The apostle Paul deeply desired to reach his unsaved countrymen (Romans 10:1). In fact, he expressed a willingness to be condemned himself if it would save his Jewish brothers and sisters: “I would be willing to be forever cursed—cut off from Christ!—if that would save them” (Romans 9:3, NLT). Paul’s strategy in every city he visited was to take the message of Christ to the Jewish people first (see Acts 14:1; 17:2; 18:4).

Understanding the Jewish experience is basic to Jewish evangelism. This requires time spent listening and learning, focusing on shared values (see Micah 6:8), and showing love and humility in one’s walk with Christ. Meekness is crucial; after all, the non-Jewish believer is “a wild olive shoot” that has been grafted in to the “cultivated olive tree” (Romans 11:17–24). The natural branches “were broken off because of unbelief” (Romans 11:20), and the non-Jewish believer stands “by faith.” We have this warning: “Do not consider yourself to be superior to those other branches. . . . You do not support the root, but the root supports you. . . . Do not be arrogant, but tremble” (Romans 11:18, 20).

The key to witnessing to Jews is using Scripture, especially the prophecies of Christ, to show how Jesus fulfills the covenants and promises of God. Peter demonstrates this in Acts 2, when three thousand Jewish souls came to faith. Peter started his sermon by quoting the prophet Joel (verses 16–21). He then proclaims the death and resurrection of the Lord (verses 22–24) and quotes two passages of David (verses 25–35). He clearly links all those prophecies to Jesus of Nazareth and then concludes: “Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Messiah” (Acts 2:36).

As Paul points out, the Jewish people have a special place in God’s redemptive plan: “Theirs is the adoption to sonship; theirs the divine glory, the covenants, the receiving of the law, the temple worship and the promises. Theirs are the patriarchs, and from them is traced the human ancestry of the Messiah” (Romans 9:4–5). The next natural step for them should be to receive the Messiah who was sent to them. Those evangelizing the Jews need to “show that belief in Yeshua [Jesus] is not foreign—it’s the most Jewish thing anyone can do. Yeshua is the fulfillment of God’s covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. He is the promised Messiah who restores Israel to her calling and destiny” (www.israelmediaministries.org/2026/01/27/biblical-examples-of-evangelism-lessons-from-the-new-testament-on-sharing-the-gospel, accessed 6/30/26).

Of course, none of our efforts will have any effect whatsoever without the power of the Holy Spirit. This is why praying diligently and with perseverance is so important. God alone “is able to save completely those who come to God through [Christ]” (Hebrews 7:25). Pray for the peace of Jerusalem (Psalm 122:6) and the salvation of the Jewish people. God desires that none should perish but that all come to repentance (2 Peter 3:9), so give God’s Word the preeminence it deserves, share the gospel, and trust the Lord for the results.