Why Do the Jewish Roots of Jesus Matter for Your Faith? With Rabbi Jason Sobel
Have you ever read a familiar Bible passage and suddenly seen a connection you had never noticed before?
Understanding the Jewish roots of Jesus can help Christians see the Bible as one connected story instead of two separate testaments. On this episode of Backstage with Randy Phillips, Randy sits down with Rabbi Jason Sobel, a Jewish follower of Jesus, author, teacher, and spiritual advisor for The Chosen, to explore the Jewish context of Jesus, Messianic prophecy, and the ways the Old Testament points to Christ.
Why Does the Jewish Context of Jesus Matter?
Jesus was Jewish, and the culture, traditions, Scriptures, and holidays of Judaism shaped the world He lived in.
Rabbi Jason explains that part of his role with The Chosen is helping the creators portray Jesus in His original historical context. That includes reviewing scripts and offering insight into Jewish customs and practices.
Those details matter because context can help familiar passages come alive. Understanding the Jewish roots of Christianity does not change the gospel—it can help us see its depth more clearly.
How Does the Old Testament Point to Jesus?
One powerful example from the episode is the story of Joseph.
Joseph is rejected by his brothers, stripped of his garment, sold for silver, falsely accused, and later raised to a position of authority. Rabbi Jason explains how these details can foreshadow the story of Jesus.
That connection reminds us that God’s redemptive plan did not begin in Matthew. From Genesis forward, the Old Testament prepares the way for Christ through promises, people, sacrifices, and stories.
How Did Rabbi Jason Sobel Come to Believe in Jesus?
Rabbi Jason’s own story reflects that same connection.
Raised in a Jewish family, he grew up attending synagogue, studying Hebrew, and learning Jewish traditions. Then a friend read him a passage describing someone wounded for our transgressions and crushed for our iniquities.
Jason assumed it came from the New Testament.
It was Isaiah 53.
That moment helped launch his journey toward faith in Jesus as Messiah and sparked his passion for showing others how the Old and New Testaments connect.
Seeing Scripture With Fresh Eyes
Rabbi Jason describes these connections as seeing Scripture in “high definition.”
That is the invitation of this episode: return to the Bible with fresh eyes. Pay attention to context. Look for the threads connecting the Old Testament to Jesus and the biblical story to the Messiah.
The more clearly we understand the story, the more deeply we can appreciate the faithfulness of God.
Watch or listen to the full conversation on Backstage with Randy Phillips to hear more about The Chosen, Messianic prophecy, biblical holidays, and the Jewish roots of Jesus.
Click here to watch or listen to the episode!
Click here to learn more about Rabbi Jason Sobel and his ministries!