Strangers are presented in various ways throughout the Bible. They can represent people who are just passing through, those who are not part of the main group, individuals from other cultures, societies, and nations, or those who are unfamiliar with the faith. The Bible’s numerous references to strangers demonstrate its comprehensive perspective on how strangers should be treated, showcasing sentiments of acceptance, charity, and sympathy towards them. This summary will provide an overview of the Bible’s perspective on strangers, emphasizing the lessons and morals offered that are still applicable today.
Who are Strangers in the Bible?
Strangers in the Bible can be those unfamiliar with or unconnected to the faith, individuals from different places, or those who are just passing through. When we talk about strangers, it can correlate to a non-Israelite in the Old Testament or a non-believer in the New Testament. The interaction with strangers helps to shape and define the actions and behaviors of both individuals and the community at large.
What Does the Bible Teach about Strangers?
The Bible teaches several critical lessons about strangers, the most universal being acceptance and love. The Bible advocates welcoming strangers, an act seen as a tradition of hospitality. It emphasizes that welcoming strangers could sometimes mean hosting angels unawares, alluding to narratives where divine beings appear as strangers. This perspective can lead to richer, deeper insights and connections and can provide the scope for personal and spiritual growth.
Why Does the Bible Emphasize the Treatment of Strangers?
The Bible emphasizes the treatment of strangers to stress the universal theme of brotherhood and love towards all, regardless of their origins or faith. The Bible advises its followers to act justly towards strangers and provides numerous instances where strangers are treated with kindness and respect. The teachings aim to promote a culture of non-discrimination and tolerance and endorse love, inclusivity, and positive kinship with all. This helps in the formation of a harmonious society where peace and unity can thrive.
When Does Encounter with Strangers Happen in the Bible?
Encounters with strangers occur consistently throughout the Bible. Notable instances include visitations by angels, interactions with the Samaritan woman, and more. In some situations, interaction with strangers leads to the spread of the faith’s teachings and establishing connections between different communities. These passages show that engagement with strangers can be a rewarding experience that broadens one’s horizons.
Where are Strangers Placed in the Bible?
The placement of strangers in the Bible is quite significant. In many instances, strangers are placed in situations that require trust and acceptance from the existing community. There are instances where strangers found themselves in strange lands, or even at the heart of the existing community, such as Ruth the Moabite. The stories underline the necessity to include and accept strangers, fostering broader understanding and acceptance among diverse cultures and societies.
Below is the full list of bible verses on strangers (King James Version – KJV). The list is ranked in order of popularity and we hope you find the inspiration you need.
Most Popular Bible Verses About Strangers
Hebrews 13:2
“2 Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.”
Related Themes: Hospitality Angels Charity Adultery
Matthew 25:35
“35 For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in:”
Related Themes: Homelessness Serving Others Homelessness
Leviticus 24:22
“22 Ye shall have one manner of law, as well for the stranger, as for one of your own country: for I am the LORD your God.”
Related Themes: Social Justice Equality
Deuteronomy 10:19
“19 Love ye therefore the stranger: for ye were strangers in the land of Egypt.”
Romans 12:13
“13 Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality.”
Related Themes: Hospitality Homelessness Serving Others Serving The Poor
Jeremiah 22:3
“3 Thus saith the LORD; Execute ye judgment and righteousness, and deliver the spoiled out of the hand of the oppressor: and do no wrong, do no violence to the stranger, the fatherless, nor the widow, neither shed innocent blood in this place.”
Related Themes: Justice Homelessness Injustice Serving The Poor
Matthew 25:40
“40 And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.”
Related Themes: Homelessness Benevolence Serving Others
Exodus 23:9
“9 Also thou shalt not oppress a stranger: for ye know the heart of a stranger, seeing ye were strangers in the land of Egypt.”
Related Themes: Business Hospitality
Leviticus 19:34
“34 But the stranger that dwelleth with you shall be unto you as one born among you, and thou shalt love him as thyself; for ye were strangers in the land of Egypt: I am the LORD your God.”
Related Themes: Hospitality Love Kindness
Exodus 12:49
“49 One law shall be to him that is homeborn, and unto the stranger that sojourneth among you.”
Malachi 3:5
“5 And I will come near to you to judgment; and I will be a swift witness against the sorcerers, and against the adulterers, and against false swearers, and against those that oppress the hireling in his wages, the widow, and the fatherless, and that turn aside the stranger from his right, and fear not me, saith the LORD of hosts.”
Related Themes: Business Adultery Money Oppression
Leviticus 19:33-34
“33 And if a stranger sojourn with thee in your land, ye shall not vex him.34 But the stranger that dwelleth with you shall be unto you as one born among you, and thou shalt love him as thyself; for ye were strangers in the land of Egypt: I am the LORD your God.”
Related Themes: Equality Trespassing Hospitality
Exodus 22:21
“21 Thou shalt neither vex a stranger, nor oppress him: for ye were strangers in the land of Egypt.”
Related Themes: Trespassing Hospitality
Galatians 5:14
“14 For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.”
Related Themes: Discrimination Judging Others 10 commandments Selflessness
Deuteronomy 10:18-19
“18 He doth execute the judgment of the fatherless and widow, and loveth the stranger, in giving him food and raiment.19 Love ye therefore the stranger: for ye were strangers in the land of Egypt.”
Related Themes: Justice Homelessness
Leviticus 25:45
“45 Moreover of the children of the strangers that do sojourn among you, of them shall ye buy, and of their families that are with you, which they begat in your land: and they shall be your possession.”
Galatians 3:28
“28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.”
Related Themes: Equality Discrimination Prejudice Culture
Leviticus 25:35
“35 And if thy brother be waxen poor, and fallen in decay with thee; then thou shalt relieve him: yea, though he be a stranger, or a sojourner; that he may live with thee.”
Related Themes: Homelessness Poverty
Hebrews 13:1-2
“1 Let brotherly love continue.2 Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.”
Related Themes: Loneliness Marriage
Ezekiel 22:29
“29 The people of the land have used oppression, and exercised robbery, and have vexed the poor and needy: yea, they have oppressed the stranger wrongfully.”
Related Themes: Homelessness Serving The Poor
Romans 13:10
“10 Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.”
Psalm 146:9
“9 The LORD preserveth the strangers; he relieveth the fatherless and widow: but the way of the wicked he turneth upside down.”
Related Themes: Homelessness Serving The Poor Loneliness
1 Peter 4:9
“9 Use hospitality one to another without grudging.”
Related Themes: Complaining Hospitality Service Community
Deuteronomy 27:19
“19 Cursed be he that perverteth the judgment of the stranger, fatherless, and widow. And all the people shall say, Amen.”
Related Themes: Justice Homelessness
3 John 1:5
“5 Beloved, thou doest faithfully whatsoever thou doest to the brethren, and to strangers;”
Related Themes: Hospitality
Ephesians 2:19
“19 Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God;”
Related Themes: Church Foundation Loneliness Identity
Leviticus 25:35-38
“35 And if thy brother be waxen poor, and fallen in decay with thee; then thou shalt relieve him: yea, though he be a stranger, or a sojourner; that he may live with thee.36 Take thou no usury of him, or increase: but fear thy God; that thy brother may live with thee.37 Thou shalt not give him thy money upon usury, nor lend him thy victuals for increase.38 I am the LORD your God, which brought you forth out of the land of Egypt, to give you the land of Canaan, and to be your God.”
Related Themes: Homelessness Poverty
Exodus 22:21-22
“21 Thou shalt neither vex a stranger, nor oppress him: for ye were strangers in the land of Egypt.22 Ye shall not afflict any widow, or fatherless child.”
Related Themes: Trespassing Hospitality
Deuteronomy 24:14
“14 Thou shalt not oppress an hired servant that is poor and needy, whether he be of thy brethren, or of thy strangers that are in thy land within thy gates:”
Related Themes: Homelessness Working Together
1 Timothy 3:2
“2 A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach;”
Related Themes: Reputation Arguing Reputation Marriage
