Book Appointment Now
What the Bible Says About Foreigners: Key Verses and Teachings
What does the Bible say about foreigners, strangers, and aliens in our land? Have you ever wondered? It’s a topic that comes up frequently in today’s discussions, but many people don’t realize just how consistently and compassionately the Bible addresses this issue.
The truth might surprise you: from the earliest books of the Old Testament to Jesus’ teachings in the New Testament, the Bible repeatedly emphasizes justice, compassion, and love for the foreigner. Let’s explore this theme together and discover what wisdom these ancient texts hold for us today.
Table of Contents
Old Testament: God’s Heart for the Foreigner
By studying how God related to ancient Israel after they were delivered form slavery in Egypt, we can learn a lot about God Himself.
If God is fair–and He is…
If He doesn’t play favorites–and He cannot, by nature, then we may understand His heart by seeing how he dealt with the nation He chose to represent His ways to the world.
The Call to Love and Not Oppress
One of the most striking things about the Bible’s approach to foreigners is how early and how often this theme appears. In the book of Exodus, as God is establishing his covenant with Israel, he includes this powerful command:
“Do not mistreat or oppress a foreigner, for you were foreigners in Egypt.” (Exodus 22:21)
Think about that for a moment. Among the very first instructions God gives his people is protection for the vulnerable foreigner. And this wasn’t just mentioned once and forgotten. The command appears again in Exodus 23:9, where God adds something profound: “You know the heart of a foreigner.”
Have you ever been in a place where you felt like an outsider? Perhaps in a foreign country where you didn’t speak the language, or even in a new workplace or school? That feeling of vulnerability and uncertainty – God reminds the Israelites that they know exactly what that feels like from their time in Egypt, and should therefore respond with empathy.
The instructions become even more specific and powerful in Leviticus 19:33-34:
“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.”
Notice the progression here – not just “don’t mistreat” or “don’t oppress,” but treat them “as your native-born” and even “love them as yourself.” This is remarkable! In ancient societies where foreigners typically had few rights, God’s law established equal treatment and even active love as the standard.
The Command to Love in Deuteronomy
The theme continues in Deuteronomy, where Moses is giving his final instructions to Israel before they enter the Promised Land. In Deuteronomy 10:19, we find this clear command:
“And you are to love those who are foreigners, for you yourselves were foreigners in Egypt.”
What makes this verse particularly powerful is its context. Just before this, in verse 18, Moses describes how God “defends the cause of the fatherless and the widow, and loves the foreigner residing among you, giving them food and clothing.” The instruction to love foreigners is directly connected to God’s own character and actions. We are called to love foreigners because that’s what God does!
Consider this: why might God place such emphasis on treating foreigners well? Perhaps because how we treat the most vulnerable among us reveals our true character. It’s relatively easy to treat people well when they have power, status, or something to offer in return. But treating the outsider, the foreigner who may not be able to reciprocate, with dignity and love? That requires true compassion.
The Concept of the “Sojourner” in God’s Covenant
What is the definition of “foreigners” in the bible? And what are some other terms used in scripture to describe them?
You might notice that in some Bible translations, the word “sojourner” or “alien” is used instead of “foreigner.” The Hebrew word most commonly used is “ger,” which refers to someone who lives among you but is not of your ethnic group – essentially, an immigrant or resident alien.
The significance of this concept in God’s covenant with Israel cannot be overstated. The laws protecting foreigners weren’t optional add-ons – they were integrated throughout Israel’s legal and social structure:
- Foreigners were to be included in Sabbath rest (Exodus 20:10)
- Foreigners could participate in religious festivals (Deuteronomy 16:14)
- Provisions were made for foreigners in the harvesting laws, allowing them to gather food (Leviticus 19:9-10, 23:22)
- Foreigners were to have equal justice under the law (Leviticus 24:22)
Imagine what this would have meant in practical terms: a comprehensive system designed to integrate and provide for non-Israelites living among God’s people. This wasn’t just tolerance; it was active inclusion.
Jesus and the Foreigner: New Testament Teachings
The Parable of the Good Samaritan
When we turn to the New Testament, Jesus’ teachings beautifully expand on these Old Testament principles. Perhaps nowhere is this clearer than in the Parable of the Good Samaritan in Luke 10:25-37.
Remember the context: a legal expert asks Jesus, “Who is my neighbor?” – essentially asking whose well-being he’s responsible for. Jesus responds with a story about a man beaten by robbers and left for dead. Two religious leaders pass by without helping, but a Samaritan – someone from a group despised by Jews – stops to help.
The power of this parable can’t be overstated. Jesus deliberately chooses a foreigner – and not just any foreigner, but one from a group with centuries of mutual hostility with Jews – as the hero of the story. The message is clear: neighborly love transcends ethnic, national, and cultural boundaries.
What would this look like in our lives today? Who might be the modern equivalent of a Samaritan in your context? Jesus challenges us to look beyond our comfortable circle and recognize the humanity in those we might otherwise overlook or avoid.
“I Was a Stranger and You Invited Me In”
Another profound teaching comes from Jesus’ words in Matthew 25:35, where he describes the final judgment:
“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.”
When those being commended ask when they did these things for Jesus, he responds with one of the most striking statements in Scripture: “Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me” (Matthew 25:40).
Consider the implications: Jesus so identifies with the vulnerable stranger that how we treat them is literally how we treat him. This elevates our treatment of foreigners from a matter of social ethics to a direct reflection of our relationship with Christ himself.
Hospitality and Inclusion in the Early Church
The early Church took these teachings seriously. In Romans 12:13, Paul instructs believers to “Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.” The Greek word for hospitality here – “philoxenia” – literally means “love of strangers.”
And in Hebrews 13:2, we find this beautiful reminder:
“Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it.”
This refers back to the story of Abraham in Genesis 18, who welcomed three strangers not knowing they were divine messengers. The point is clear: when we welcome the stranger, we may be welcoming more than we realize – perhaps even a divine appointment.
A Consistent Theme: Why Does It Matter?
Looking at the whole biblical narrative, from Exodus to Leviticus to Deuteronomy, from Jesus’ parables to the instructions for the early church, we see an unmistakable pattern: God’s people are consistently called to treat foreigners with justice, compassion, and love.
Why this consistent emphasis? I believe it reflects something fundamental about God’s character. Throughout Scripture, God reveals Himself as One Who:
- Cares for the vulnerable
- Sees the dignity in every human being as made in His image
- Remembers and responds to suffering
- Crosses boundaries to bring people into relationship with Himself
When we show care for foreigners, we’re reflecting these aspects of God’s own character. We’re participating in His heart for all people.
Applying Biblical Teachings in Today’s World
So what might these biblical principles look like in our contemporary context where discussions about immigration and treatment of foreigners are often contentious?
I won’t presume to offer simple political solutions to complex issues, but I do think these passages should shape how we approach these conversations:
- Start with compassion, not fear: The Bible repeatedly connects the command to love foreigners with the reminder that “you were foreigners in Egypt.” This appeals to empathy based on shared experience. Before forming opinions on immigration issues, can we first try to understand the human experiences involved?
- Recognize the image of God: Every foreigner, regardless of status, bears God’s image and deserves to be treated with the dignity that implies.
- Remember our spiritual status: Ephesians 2:19 reminds believers, “Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people.” As Christians, we understand what it means to be welcomed in when we were once outsiders.
- Look for the person, not just the policy: Jesus consistently saw individuals, not just categories. The Good Samaritan didn’t help a demographic; he helped a wounded man. How can we maintain this person-centered approach?
Conclusion: A Call to Reflection
The Bible’s teaching on foreigners presents us with both a challenge and an opportunity. The challenge is to examine whether our attitudes and actions toward foreigners reflect the consistent biblical emphasis on justice, compassion, and love. The opportunity is to discover a deeper understanding of God’s heart and to participate in his work of welcome.
Perhaps today is a good day to reflect: How might you show hospitality to someone from a different background? How might your church community become more welcoming to foreigners? Are there ways you can advocate for just treatment of immigrants in your context?
As you consider these questions, remember that this isn’t about political correctness or scoring points in cultural debates. It’s about aligning our hearts with the God who “executes justice for the fatherless and widow, and loves the foreigner” (Deuteronomy 10:18).
What would our communities look like if we took these biblical teachings to heart? I believe they would become places of uncommon welcome, where the love of God is made visible in how we treat the stranger.
Because in the end, that’s what this is all about – not just what the Bible says about foreigners, but what the Bible reveals about the God who loves them. And loves us all.
Key Bible Verses on Foreigners
| Verse | Testament | Key Teaching |
|---|---|---|
| Leviticus 19:33-34 | Old | Love the foreigner as yourself. |
| Deuteronomy 10:19 | Old | God loves the foreigner; we should too. |
| Exodus 22:21 | Old | Do not mistreat or oppress the foreigner. |
| Exodus 23:9 | Old | Understand and empathize with the foreigner. |
| Luke 10:25-37 | New | Love your neighbor, even if they are a foreigner (Parable of the Good Samaritan). |
| Matthew 25:35 | New | Welcoming the stranger is welcoming Christ. |
| Romans 12:13 | New | Practice hospitality (love of strangers). |
| Hebrews 13:2 | New | Show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it. |
