Bible Verses About Strangers and Sojourners
From the earliest days, God’s people were called to a special relationship with the outsider. Throughout the Old Testament, we see commands and examples of how Israel was to treat those who were not native-born. This wasn't just about hospitality; it was about reflecting God’s own compassionate character. These instructions remind us that all people are made in God's image and deserve kindness and care. In the New Testament, this theme continues and deepens. Jesus himself often ministered to those on the fringes of society, and his teachings call believers to an even greater love for all humanity. The early church, often a minority group in the Roman Empire, understood what it meant to be an outsider. They embraced the teaching that all followers of Christ are united, regardless of their earthly origins. This unity in Christ transcends social status, nationality, and background, binding us together as one family in God.
"‘When a stranger lives with you in your land, you shall not do him wrong. The stranger who lives with you shall be to you as the indigenous among you, and you shall love him as yourself; for you were strangers in the land of Egypt. I am Yahweh your God."
"He executes justice for the fatherless and widow, and loves the foreigner, in giving him food and clothing. Therefore love the foreigner, for you were foreigners in the land of Egypt."
"Yahweh protects the foreigners. He upholds the fatherless and the widow, but he overthrows the way of the wicked."
"For if you truly amend your ways and your doings; if you truly execute justice between a man and his neighbor; if you don’t oppress the foreigner, the fatherless, and the widow, and don’t shed innocent blood in this place, neither walk after other gods to your own hurt: then I will cause you to dwell in this place, in the land that I gave to your fathers, from of old even forever more."
"for I was hungry, and you gave me food to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave me drink; I was a stranger, and you took me in;"
"But a certain Samaritan, as he traveled, came where he was. When he saw him, he was moved with compassion, came to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. He set him on his own animal, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him. On the next day, when he departed, he took out two denarii, and gave them to the host, and said to him, ‘Take care of him. Whatever else you spend, I will repay you when I return.’ Which of these three, in your opinion, was neighbor to him who fell among the robbers?” He said, “He who showed mercy on him.” Then Jesus said to him, “Go and do likewise.”"
"Don’t forget to show hospitality to strangers, for in doing so some have entertained angels unawares."
"Beloved, I beg you as foreigners and pilgrims, to abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul;"
"So then you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but you are fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household of God,"
Frequently asked questions
- The concept of "stranger" or "sojourner" in the Bible often carries a dual meaning. On one hand, it refers to those who are not native to a particular land or community, foreigners who reside among the native population.