What is the Bible's stance on xenophobia?

Definition and Scope

Xenophobia—fear or hostility toward foreigners or strangers—runs counter to the consistent biblical principle of compassion and fairness toward all people (cf. Leviticus 19:33–34). The term itself does not appear in Scripture, yet the underlying concept is addressed through God’s instructions on how to treat those from outside one’s own community. This view emerges across the Old and New Testaments, where both the national identity of Israel and the church’s global calling bring clarity to how believers are to respond to people of every ethnicity and culture.

Foundational Principles in the Old Testament

In the Old Testament, the nation of Israel was explicitly commanded to care for foreigners, or “sojourners,” living among them. This principle appears in numerous passages:

1. Respect and Equality

God clearly told Israel to respect foreigners within their borders:

“When a foreigner resides with you in your land, you must not oppress him. You must treat the foreigner living among you as native-born and love him as yourself, for you were foreigners in the land of Egypt. I am the LORD your God.” (Leviticus 19:33–34)

2. Memory of Israel’s Own Past

Israel was consistently reminded of its heritage as enslaved people in Egypt:

“And you are to love the foreigner, since you yourselves were foreigners in the land of Egypt.” (Deuteronomy 10:19)

This historical memory served as the moral foundation to avoid xenophobia; they were never to forget the suffering they experienced and were thus compelled to show mercy.

3. Legal Protections

The legal code included equitable considerations for foreigners, such as gleaning rights in agricultural fields, parallel to provisions given to widows and orphans (cf. Leviticus 23:22). Such instructions protected marginalized individuals, helping prevent exploitation and ensuring the basic needs of outsiders were met.

4. Historical Validation

Archaeological surveys of ancient agrarian societies in the Near East show records of social regulations for outsiders, though none so extensive nor theologically rooted in compassion as in Israel’s Scriptures. This underscores the uniqueness and seriousness of the biblical insistence on fair treatment of all people.

New Testament Insights and Teachings

The New Testament not only reaffirms Old Testament principles but heightens them under the teaching of Jesus and the apostolic writings:

1. Example of Christ

Jesus’ ministry often highlights interactions with foreigners. In John 4:7–9, He engages in a conversation with a Samaritan woman, despite cultural animosity between Jews and Samaritans. The disciples’ surprise at this reveals ingrained prejudices that Jesus intentionally dismantled (John 4:27).

In Luke 10:25–37, the Parable of the Good Samaritan powerfully demonstrates that compassion crosses ethnic, religious, and cultural boundaries. According to Jesus, genuine love is not confined to one’s own group but extends even to perceived outsiders.

2. Early Church Practice

The Book of Acts attests to a marked shift as the gospel spreads among Gentiles. Acts 10 recounts Peter’s vision clarifying that no person should be labeled “unclean,” leading him to share the gospel with the Roman centurion Cornelius. This pivotal moment in church history dethroned any lingering xenophobia among Jewish believers and solidified the inclusion of non-Jews in the growing Christian community.

3. Unity in Christ

Several passages highlight the equal standing of believers from all backgrounds:

“There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” (Galatians 3:28)

Likewise, Ephesians 2:19 speaks of Gentiles as “fellow citizens with the saints” and members of God’s household. Such affirmations dismantle ethnic or cultural barriers, underscoring that hostility toward others contrasts with the gospel’s unifying truth.

4. Vision of the Final Gathering

Revelation points forward to a spiritual reality in which “a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation and tribe and people and tongue” (Revelation 7:9) forms one worshiping body. This eschatological vision testifies that God’s plan is to unite people from all backgrounds under the lordship of Christ.

Moral and Theological Imperatives

Scripture’s stance against xenophobia carries clear moral and theological weight:

1. Love Fulfilled in Action

Jesus explicitly identifies compassion toward “the least of these” (Matthew 25:35) as evidence of true discipleship. When believers receive strangers in need, they reflect the very heart of God—a heart of hospitality and grace.

2. God’s Character and Calling

The biblical narrative consistently portrays God as the defender of the oppressed and a Father to the fatherless (Psalm 68:5–6). This same God calls His people to reflect His character: if God’s nature is loving and inclusive, then harboring fear or hatred toward those of different backgrounds is simply incompatible with the broader witness of Scripture.

3. Practical Engagement

While the contexts of ancient Israel and the early church differ from modern cultural, political, and societal settings, the underlying command to show kindness remains relevant. Believers are encouraged to offer genuine hospitality and to foster environments where cultural differences are respected and valued.

Biblical Responses to Cultural Tension

Historical records from early Christianity (e.g., writings of the Church Fathers like Justin Martyr) describe believers providing aid to non-Christian neighbors during crises. This selfless compassion, emerging from the scriptural mandate to care for foreigners and strangers, contributed to the spread of Christianity throughout the Roman Empire. Such real-life patterns illustrate that biblical teachings against xenophobia can transform entire societies when practiced consistently.

In modern contexts, research in social psychology underscores that contact with individuals from differing backgrounds, combined with a compassionate mindset, reduces prejudice and fear. The biblical framework goes further—calling believers not just to tolerate but to love, reflecting the self-giving nature modeled by Christ.

Conclusion

In all these ways, Scripture adopts a clear stance against xenophobia. From God’s commands to ancient Israel to Jesus’ teachings and the early church’s expansion, the biblical message decisively rejects fear and exclusion based on ethnicity or cultural difference. Instead, it advocates compassion, empathy, and the recognition that all humanity is created in the image of God.

As a coherent, compelling, and timeless witness, the Bible’s teachings urge believers to oppose xenophobia wherever it appears, championing hospitality and love in every sphere of life. Its message, supported by historical, archaeological, and theological evidences, underscores that God’s redemptive plan transcends cultural barriers and invites all people into the unity found only in Him.