Jesus taught compassion for outsiders, including foreigners and "strangers," emphasizing that serving them is serving Him, particularly in Matthew 25:31-46, where the "least of these" (the hungry, thirsty, strangers, sick, imprisoned) are identified with Him. While the Bible doesn't use the word "immigrant," its principles call for treating foreigners like native-born citizens, loving them, and not oppressing them, drawing from the Old Testament command that the Israelites, once foreigners in Egypt, should protect others. Jesus demonstrated this with actions, showing compassion for people from different regions, like Samaritans and Gentiles.
Within the New Testament, which Christians read in continuity with the Hebrew Bible or “The Old Testament,” the most often cited passage dealing with welcoming the stranger is from Matthew 25: 31-40. “I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me.”
Where in the Bible does it say to protect immigrants?
Leviticus 19:33-34 and 24:22 – When the alien resides with you in your land, you shall not oppress the alien. The alien who resides with you shall be to you as the citizen among you; you shall love the alien as yourself, for you were aliens in the land of Egypt: I am the Lord your God.”
God makes it absolutely clear in the Bible that we are to care for the 'foreigners' or 'strangers' in our midst. Jesus himself experienced life in a foreign land in his early years, and always preached about the importance of showing love to the most vulnerable in our societies.
What does the Bible say about foreigners entering your country?
Leviticus strongly frames the command to love the immigrant by saying, “you shall love him as yourself” (Lev 19:34 ). Deuteronomy is even stronger when it says, “cursed is the one who corrupts justice in regard to an immigrant, orphan, or widow” (Deut 27:19 ).
What the Bible Says about Immigration: 10 Qs with Mike Winger (Ep 35)
How does God view immigrants?
God Loves the Foreigner Residing Among You
He defends the cause of the fatherless and the widow, and loves the foreigner residing among you, giving them food and clothing. And you are to love those who are foreigners, for you yourselves were foreigners in Egypt.
Jesus didn't come to destroy any or man's laws but came to fulfill The Fathers Law. He would ask the US to show compassion but he would not have forced US to let illegal immigrants in the US.
Revised Version has "foreigner" for "stranger" (Deuteronomy 17:15; 23:20; 29:22; Ruth 2:10; 2 Samuel 15:19), for "alien" (Deuteronomy 14:21); "the hand of a foreigner" for "a stranger's hand" (Leviticus 22:25). See ALIEN; STRANGER AND SOJOURNER.
What does the Bible say about foreigners and aliens?
Exodus 22:21 "Do not mistreat an alien or oppress him, for you were aliens in Egypt. Exodus 23:9 "You shall not oppress an alien, for you know the heart of an alien, seeing you were aliens in the land of Egypt. Leviticus 19:33-34 "'When an alien lives with you in your land, do not mistreat him.
You won't find the term “refugee” in the Bible. But the Word of God has plenty to say about people called “strangers” and “sojourners” or “foreigners” in our translations.
What does Jesus say about immigration as a Catholic?
Jesus teaches that nations will ultimately by judged by how they treat the dispossessed and needy, including the stranger (Mt 25: 31-46). Migrants fall within every marginal group set forth in the Judgment Day parable, the hungry, thirsty, stranger, naked, ill, and imprisoned.
Matthew 25:35 – “For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in.” 3 John 1:5-8 – “Dear friend, you are faithful in what you are doing for the brothers and sisters, even though they are strangers to you.
Leviticus 19:33-34 states, "When a foreigner resides among you in your land, do not mistreat them. The foreigner residing among you must be treated as your native-born. Love them as yourself, for you were foreigners in Egypt. I am the LORD your God."
Moses was a fugitive and refugee, and together with the Israelites, he wandered in the desert for forty years. Jesus too is portrayed as a refugee and an itinerant preacher. The early disciples were also migrants who were dispersed due to persecution and war.
What does Jesus say about taking care of immigrants?
When a foreigner resides among you in your land, do not mistreat them. The foreigner residing among you must be treated as your native-born. Love them as yourself, for you were foreigners in Egypt. I am the LORD your God.
What does the Bible say about borders and immigration?
Moses, representing the Old Testament law and Paul, representing the New Testament, both agree that borders are ordained by God. In the ancient world, sacred texts show that countries or empires had borders and recognised citizens, non-citizens, visitors and resident aliens.
The word alien appears in Isaiah 28:21, referring to a task. The word alienate or alienated shows up four times in Scripture. Other than these references of the word alien, there is no mention of an actual alien in the entire Bible. As a believer, the Scriptures anchor me in every area and belief in life.
What does the Bible say about immigrants taking over your land?
“Foreigners who live in your land will gain more and more power, while you gradually lose yours. They will have money to lend you, but you will have none to lend them. In the end they will be your rulers.
“He would have washed the feet of the poor, tired migrants before sending them back the way they came.” “He would perform a miracle by multiplying the 740-mile border barrier into a 1,950-mile border barrier.” “Given that he spoke Aramaic, he'd probably be deported immediately.”
Jeremiah 33:3 is a Bible verse where God tells the prophet Jeremiah, "Call to me, and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known," a message encouraging prayer, promising divine response, and revealing profound truths beyond human understanding. This powerful promise invites people to seek God directly, assuring them that He will reveal wonderful things and provide guidance, especially during times of difficulty, emphasizing a personal relationship and deeper spiritual insight.
The instruction to “greet no one along the way” is a time-saving measure and underscores the urgency of the mission8. The message echoes Luke 9:57-62: Be single-minded in purpose and do not be distracted!
