Gentiles

Did Jesus Exclude Gentiles?
Jesus' initial mission was to the Jews. The Gentile salvation that He spoke of was not available until He had fully offered it to Israel and been rejected. Because of God's promise's in the Old Testament, Jesus, as the Messiah, had to offer himself to the Jews/Israel first of any nation, then other nations could receive him.
Jesus came first and foremost to the house of Israel (Matthew 10:5-7). He told his followers that they were to teach the word of God only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. (Matthew. 15:24) In John 4:22 He says Salvation is of the Jews.
But when most of the Jews including the priest rejected Jesus, He then turned to the Gentiles during the last days of His ministry. He was announcing the 'Gentile age' was at hand. Gentiles, by the grace and mercy of God were to be "grafted" into God's covenant with Israel.   Matthew says: "In his name the nations will put their hope" (Matthew 12:17-21). 'The Nations' meaning peoples other than the nation of Israel. As a part of Jesus' great mission to Israel, he also came to bring judgment to the Gentiles (Isaiah 42:1).
The Old Testament is filled with passages that foreshadow and prophesy that the Jewish nation will reject the Christ and that God will send the light [Jesus] to the Gentile nations. When does Christ offer this light to the Gentiles? I have heard many say that this first happens through Paul's commission to the Gentiles and not before. I disagree. I think Jesus himself ushers in the Gentiles before he goes to the cross. Jesus Himself DOES mention Gentile Salvation and I will confirm this FACT with a few passages below. But first let me lay a foundation of some Old Testament scriptures that suggest that indeed this light [Jesus] will come to the Gentiles. Then I will build on that foundation the idea that Jesus himself first offered salvation to the Gentiles.
In Isaiah we see that the Kingdom shall include the Gentiles. Isaiah 42:1-6 is a passage talking about Jesus. The Lord calls to all people - the people of Israel, and the isles - and tells them to behold His Servant. The ministry of the Servant, the Messiah, would not be restricted to only the Jewish people. He would also have a ministry to the Gentiles, bringing justice and righteousness to them. Additionally, Matthew quotes Isaiah 42:1-5 and plainly says it is a prophecy fulfilled in Jesus. [Matthew 12:16-21]   The context demonstrates this is a clear reference to Jesus, who is bringing salvation, not only to Israel, but also to those afar off, who seem beyond salvation. The Isaiah passage declares, "he will proclaim justice to the nations." A few verses later in Matthew 12:28 Jesus himself tells them "the kingdom of God has come upon you." It is happening in the present.
In Isaiah 11 we have here a further prophecy of the enlargement and advancement of the kingdom of the Messiah. Verse 10 specifically includes the Gentiles. Isaiah 11:10
The Gentiles will believe in Him, while His own people (the Jews) will reject him. Please read these scriptures: ( Isaiah 8:14-15; Isaiah 28:16; Isaiah 49:6; Isaiah 60:3; Psalms 118:22). Fulfillment: 1 Peter 2:7, Matthew 21:42, Mark 12:10, Luke 20:17 Jesus tells us he is the light. John 12:46 "I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on me should not abide in darkness." And Jesus said: "'While I am in the world, I am the light of the world.'" (John 9:5, NIV) As recorded in John 8:12 "I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life."
We see over and over again the leadership of the Jewish nation rejecting Jesus. Not only do they reject him but they plot to kill him.
Jesus fulled these scriputres when He brought Salvation to the nations, to the Gentiles.
Isaiah 49:6 he [the Lord] says: "It is too small a thing for you to be my servant to restore the tribes of Jacob and bring back those of Israel I have kept. I will also make you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring my salvation to the ends of the earth."
Daniel 7:14 And there was given him [Jesus] dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages, should serve him: his dominion [is] an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom [that] which shall not be destroyed.
Now that I have laid a foundation that Jesus is that light sent to the Gentiles, let me tackle the part which many would disagree with. Jesus himself ushers in the Gentiles before he goes to the cross. I admit that at first this was difficult for me to see. But once I had eyes to see I could see it many places. Jesus alluded to this in many of his parables. Contradictory to what I believe I have read such statements as:

Jesus told these parables to prevent the Gentiles from understanding the word of God, and thereby prevent their entry into the Kingdom of Heaven.
Joseph Francis Alward
As the years went by without the coming of the son of God and his promised apocalypse, many Jews stopped listening to the apostles. Fearing loss of priestly power, the church fathers took matters into their own hands. The church fathers decided to expand their influence by extending Jesus' promise of salvation to the ones ignored by Jesus--the pagan Gentiles-- the uncircumcised.
Joseph Francis Alward

Though parbles, stories and actions Jesus had been warning the Jews for three years. But they rejected Him. At the end of His ministry Jesus grafted in the Gentiles.
Yes, the Jews were God's choosen people. Please understand they came first. God had made a promise to Abram. God promised Abram that he would have children, and from him a great nation would come. God promised that they would live in the land that God had given them. And God promised that because of Abram all people on earth would be blessed. In Hebrews 11:8 -10 we see that Abraham pleased God through his faith. I honor the Jews. We are told to pray for Jerusalem. Psalms 122:6

Jesus, the Temple, and the Fig Tree

In the Old Testament Gentiles were often referred to as Strangers. God had always provided a way for the Gentiles or strangers to worship Him in the temple. The Jews had forsaken the promise to provide a place for the Gentiles or Strangers to worship Jehovah by using the Court of the Gentiles as a place of commerce and a shortcut.
In the following I hope to explain one of the subtle ways, to those that have eyes to see, that Jesus is fulfilling the previously announced salvation to the Gentiles.
Mark 11:13 And seeing a fig tree afar off having leaves, he came, if haply he might find any thing thereon: and when he came to it, he found nothing but leaves; for the time of figs was not yet. 14 And Jesus answered and said unto it, No man eat fruit of thee hereafter for ever. And his disciples heard it. 15 And they come to Jerusalem: and Jesus went into the temple, and began to cast out them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers, and the seats of them that sold doves; 16 And would not suffer that any man should carry any vessel through the temple. 17 And he taught, saying unto them, Is it not written, My house shall be called of all nations the house of prayer? but ye have made it a den of thieves. 18 And the scribes and chief priests heard it, and sought how they might destroy him: for they feared him, because all the people was astonished at his doctrine. 19 And when even was come, he went out of the city. 20 And in the morning, as they passed by, they saw the fig tree dried up from the roots.
The story about the cleansing of the temple and the cursing of the fig tree are “sandwiched” in a manner that allows one to serve as explanation of the other. The story of the fig tree reveals a deeper meaning to the story of Jesus cleansing the Temple and vice-versa.
After cursing the fig tree, Jesus and his disciples reenter Jerusalem and proceed to the "Gentile's court" of the Temple where moneychangers (temple currency couldn't have a graven image of Caesar) and those selling sacrificial animals are doing business. This happened in the Court of the Gentiles. They also used the temple as a shortcut between the city and the Mount of Olives and carried goods through. In John 2:15 We see that Jesus made a whip and drove them all out of the temple and poured out the changers' money, and overthrew the tables. This infuriated the scribes and chief priests.
This is the most violent we have seen Jesus and seems uncharacteristic of him. But then again, so was cursing the fig tree, and as I hope to explain, the two events are closely linked.
The order we see things happen are [1] Jesus curses the fig tree, [2] He cleansed the temple, and [3] We see the results of the fig tree curse. The fig tree is the symbol of the Jewish nation.
In Luke 13:6-9 we read:
6 He spake also this parable; A certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard; and he came and sought fruit thereon, and found none. 7 Then said he unto the dresser of his vineyard, Behold, these three years I come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and find none: cut it down; why cumbereth it the ground? 8 And he answering said unto him, Lord, let it alone this year also, till I shall dig about it, and dung it: 9 And if it bear fruit, well: and if not, then after that thou shalt cut it down
Jesus not only told a parable about the fig tree, but in order to emphasize it, He also acted the parable out. The Jewish nation was fruitless and had been the entire 3 years of Jesus ministry. The tree was fruitless like the people. At the temple, Jesus wanted to find spiritual figs (prayer) but instead found only leaves (commercial activity and corruption).
Jesus cursed the fig tree and it withered to the roots. He was really judging the temple, the Scribes, the Pharisees and the people of Israel. Jesus was drawing attention to their lack of spiritual fruit, warning of the consequences. The temple system had withered.
As Jesus cleansed the Temple he quoted from Isaiah 56, "My house shall be called of all nations the house of prayer." What is meant by Jesus’ actions? What is meant by his quote from Isaiah 56?
Jesus was announcing the 'Gentile age' was at hand.   An age where the unfruitful Jews were overturned like the tables. This might help explain the anger experienced by the scribes and chief priests.
Like the cursing of the fig tree it might be argued that this incident is supposed to make it clear that Jesus had been warning the Jews for three years. But they had rejected Him. Now the Gentiles were being grafted in.
In the Old Testament Gentiles were often referred to as Strangers. Note, the Old Testament does not teach that God shunned the Gentiles (also referred to as the nations, foreigners, Greeks, heathen or strangers) so that they coould not enjoy intimate fellowship with him. We have the Old Testament scriptures that tell us that any Gentile who wanted to celebrate Passover, just as Israel, was welcome to do so. After circumcision, a Gentile was allowed to fully take part in the Jewish customs. God said that circumcised Gentiles were to be considered as though he had been born a descendent of Abraham (Exodus 12:43-50). In fact, even a natural-born member of Israel was not considered a Jew until he had been circumcised (Exodus 12:48). You can have literal circumcision, but if your heart and deeds are not 'pruned' in the right way, then the "fruits" of your actions are for naught. Just as circumcision is symbolic of entering the priestly nation so our circumcision of the heart is symbolic of our grafting into the same priestly nation.
Jeremiah 4:1-4 If thou wilt return, O Israel, saith the LORD, return unto me: and if thou wilt put away thine abominations out of my sight, then shalt thou not remove. 2 And thou shalt swear, The LORD liveth, in truth, in judgment, and in righteousness; and the nations shall bless themselves in him, and in him shall they glory. 3 For thus saith the LORD to the men of Judah and Jerusalem, Break up your fallow ground, and sow not among thorns. 4 Circumcise yourselves to the LORD, and take away the foreskins of your heart, ye men of Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem: lest my fury come forth like fire, and burn that none can quench [it], because of the evil of your doings
In addition, we read in Esther 8:17 that many Gentiles became Jews. To be a Jew in God's eyes, goes so much farther than being a natural descendent of Abraham (Romans 2:28-29, Romans 9:6-8, John 8:37-44). Only by our decision to make the God of Israel our personal Lord will we truly become a Jew, as Ruth who was a Moabitess (Ruth 1:16).
God provided a way for the Gentiles or strangers to worship Him in the temple. In Mark 11 the Jews had forsaken the promise to provide a place for the Gentiles or Strangers to worship Jehovah by using the Court of the Gentiles as a place of commerce and a shortcut.
Since the time of Moses in Exodus 12 we see God providing a way for the Gentiles or strangers to come to Him in worship if the males were circumcised. In verse 49 he says, "One law shall be to him that is homeborn, and unto the stranger that sojourneth among you." We as Gentile Christians are circumcised of the heart, a concept God tried repeatedly to get across in the Old Testament. Colossians 2:11 In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ: But in the Old Testament God was trying to make them understand. Deuteronomy 10:16 Circumcise therefore the foreskin of your heart, and be no more stiffnecked.
Jesus was offering hope to the Gentiles when he quoted from (Isaiah 56:1-8) in the temple when He overthrew the money tables. (Matthew 21:13); (Mark 11:17); (Luke 19:46) What was Jesus wanting us to learn by quoting Isaiah? When Jesus quoted from a book in the Old testament he knew the people would recognize the quote and later would read or remember all the section. In (Isaiah 56:1-8) the Lord is proclaiming that salvation is close at hand, and the Gentile will partake of that salvation. Under the law the eunuch had no place. He would never have any offspring or fruit. Yet God is not only going to allow a place for the Gentile or foreigner but also the eunuch. This was accomplished through the work of the Messiah, which extended the hope of salvation to all people. Isaiah is describing a time when Jew and Gentile will be united in worship of the God of Israel. The outcasts of Israel will be gathered and others, who are the strangers or gentiles, will be joined with these outcasts of Israel. The center of worship will be “my house of prayer” in “my holy mountain.”
Paul tried hard to implement what Jesus had intended. Ephesians 2:14: For He is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us. Having broken down the middle wall is an allusion to the wall of partition in the temple, by which the court of the Gentiles was separated from that of the Jews. (Matt 21:12)

Ephesians 2:11 Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands; 12 That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world: 13 But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ. 14 For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition [between us]; 15 Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, [even] the law of commandments [contained] in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, [so] making peace; 16 And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby: 17 And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh. 18 For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father. 19 Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God; 20 And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner [stone]; 21 In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: 22 In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.
In his letter to the Ephesians, Paul spoke of a wall that separated the outer courtyard of the Temple from the Temple proper. The Gentiles of that day were not allowed to go further into the temple than this outer courtyard. The wall between the Gentile court and the temple proper was like a marble grating with signs that prohibited the entrance of Gentiles. One of these signs has been discovered and reads: "Let no one of any other nation come within this fence and barrier around this holy place. Whosoever will be taken doing so will himself be responsible for the fact that his death will ensue."
Paul knew that barrier well. In Acts 21 he was accused of bringing a Gentile named Trophimus into the temple beyond the barrier. This charge led to his arrest. Paul says that it is Christ who made both Jew and Gentile into one; who broke down the middle barrier of partition which prevented the Gentiles from access to the Holy One. How did Jesus accomplish this feat? As Paul says in Ephesians chapter 2, (see above) Jesus did this by preaching peace to those who are afar off (the gentiles) and those who are near (the Jews). Did Jesus preach peace [salvation] to the Gentiles?
In Matthew 10, Jesus sent the disciples to preach the Gospel only to the nation of Israel. Only after the Jewish leadership rejected Christ did He expand his preaching to include all nations [Matt:28:18-20]. The Bible is not contradictory. The beginning of Jesus extending to the Gentiles this salvation was the cursing of the fig tree and the cleansing of the Gentile Court in the Temple.
In Mark 11 Jesus and the disciples see the withered fig tree the next day. Peter draws the withered tree to Jesus' attention. How does Jesus respond. I think you will be surprized.
Mark 11:20 And in the morning, as they passed by, they saw the fig tree dried up from the roots. 21 And Peter calling to remembrance saith unto him, Master, behold, the fig tree which thou cursedst is withered away. 22 And Jesus answering saith unto them, Have faith in God. 23 For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith. 24 Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them. 25 And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses. 26 But if ye do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses.
Jesus' answer seems at first unrelated to the fig tree and the temple. Jesus starts talking about prayer and how they should pray. Jesus is focusing their attention back to the temple scene from the day before. The temple was no longer a place of prayer. Jesus drove out the evil and cleansed the Gentile Court. So Jesus is using this to show them the power of prayer for all who come with a clean heart. The Jewish nation like the Jewish temple was filled with greed and materialism. They were not a spiritually fruitful nation, symbolized by the fig tree. Just as Jesus writhered the fig tree, with it's outward leafy sign of life, yet fruitless life. He then cleansed the Gentile Court of the temple opening the way for the Gentiles to find salvation. The priest and money changers were robbing God of His fellowship with the Gentiles. Jesus restored the relationship between God and the Gentiles. This is one of the last public acts Jesus does before He goes to the cross. This is important. His final judgment is an act against the Jews and an invitation to the Gentiles.
John 16:2 They shall put you out of the synagogues: yea, the time cometh, that whosoever killeth you will think that he doeth God service. 3 And these things will they do unto you, because they have not known the Father, nor me. 4 But these things have I told you, that when the time shall come, ye may remember that I told you of them. And these things I said not unto you at the beginning, because I was with you.
Parables of Jesus
There are many allusions to this same offer of salavation to the Gentiles in Jesus parables. This was difficult for me to see at first. But once I had eyes to see I could see it many places. There are pointers and imagery which will help us. Why does Jesus use subtlety and hidden passages to convey this message?
Matthew 11:25 Jesus said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes.
Was Jesus Secretive? Did Jesus deliberately plan that his message be secretive?
Mark 4:11 And he said unto them, Unto you it is given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God: but unto them that are without, all these things are done in parables: 12 That seeing they may see, and not perceive; and hearing they may hear, and not understand; lest at any time they should be converted, and their sins should be forgiven them.
Luke 8:10 And he said, Unto you it is given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God: but to others in parables; that seeing they might not see, and hearing they might not understand.
Matthew 13:13-16 Therefore speak I to them in parables: because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand. And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Esaias, which saith, By hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and shall not perceive: For this people's heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them. But blessed are your eyes, for they see: and your ears, for they hear.
Parable of the Wicked Husbandmen
Luke 20:9-19 Then began he to speak to the people this parable; A certain man planted a vineyard, and let it forth to husbandmen, and went into a far country for a long time. 10 And at the season he sent a servant to the husbandmen, that they should give him of the fruit of the vineyard: but the husbandmen beat him, and sent [him] away empty. 11 And again he sent another servant: and they beat him also, and entreated [him] shamefully, and sent [him] away empty. 12 And again he sent a third: and they wounded him also, and cast [him] out. 13 Then said the lord of the vineyard, What shall I do? I will send my beloved son: it may be they will reverence [him] when they see him. 14 But when the husbandmen saw him, they reasoned among themselves, saying, This is the heir: come, let us kill him, that the inheritance may be ours. 15 So they cast him out of the vineyard, and killed [him]. What therefore shall the lord of the vineyard do unto them? 16 He shall come and destroy these husbandmen, and shall give the vineyard to others. And when they heard [it], they said, God forbid. 17 And he beheld them, and said, What is this then that is written, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner? 18 Whosoever shall fall upon that stone shall be broken; but on whomsoever it shall fall, it will grind him to powder. 19 And the chief priests and the scribes the same hour sought to lay hands on him; and they feared the people: for they perceived that he had spoken this parable against them.
The priests understood that Jesus' parable was directed against them, and thus that they are the husbandmen. Jesus uses a vineyard as a metaphor to describe Israel. The produce of the vineyard is a all the good produced by the people, which the priest are not sharing with God, and trying to keep for themselves. The meaning of the "others" who will be given the vineyard are the Gentile Christians.
The priests (leaseholders) refuse to comply with the prophets and instead hurt each one worse than they did the one before. The priest are wanting more and more control of Israel (the vineyard) for themselves. Thye finally kill the son so God (the owner) revokes their right to Israel (the vineyard), and give it the Gentiles (the others) instead. God had granted his vineyard, his covenant, his land that produces grapes, symbolizing good, to his workers, the Jewish priests to be worked for His benefit. Yet when he sends His servants to collect what is due, the priest refuse to pay up and hurt each servant worse than the last. God has given the vineyard to be worked for His benefit but the husbandmen (priest) seem to want to keep the produce, control of Israel, for themselves. When they finally kill His son who came to collect what was due, God decides that he has made a mistake by granting the vineyard to them and takes it back and gives it to those he thinks will be more trustful (the Gentiles).
Parable of The Barren Fig Tree
Luke 13:6-9 He spake also this parable; A certain [man] had a fig tree planted in his vineyard; and he came and sought fruit thereon, and found none. 7 Then said he unto the dresser of his vineyard, Behold, these three years I come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and find none: cut it down; why cumbereth it the ground? 8 And he answering said unto him, Lord, let it alone this year also, till I shall dig about it, and dung [it]: 9 And if it bear fruit, [well]: and if not, [then] after that thou shalt cut it down.
Matthew 24:32; Mark 13:28
The parable of the unproductive fig tree in Luke 13 is different than which is emphasized in Mark and Matthew. In this story the owner [God] looks for fruit and finds none. Rather than destroying the tree the owner [God] has patience and gives the tree one more chance to redeem itself. In other words, the priest and Jews of that day were not producing the fruit that God intended. It had no fruit [good works]. God, through Jesus, was giving the fig tree [the priest and Jews] one more chance and providing fruit. This parable was told earlier on in Jesus ministry.
We estimate that Jesus ministry lasted about 3 years. At the end of the these 3 years of having God in the form of Jesus preaching a sharing the Jews and priests still rejected him. It is no wonder Jesus withered the Fig tree in Mark 11 before going into the temple and through out the old corrupt branches so the the Gentiles could be grafted in.
The Tree and its Fruits
Matthew 7:15-20 Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. 16 Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? 17 Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. 18 A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither [can] a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. 19 Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. 20 Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.
A true prophet's message bears good fruit. Again I feel Jesus is comparing the priest of His day as false prophets. God expected good fruit. There was no good fruit coming from them. This was a sign of the end of the limited age of the Jews.
The Wedding Feast or The Unwilling Guests
Matthew 22:1-10 And Jesus answered and spake unto them again by parables, and said, 2 The kingdom of heaven is like unto a certain king, which made a marriage for his son, 3 And sent forth his servants to call them that were bidden to the wedding: and they would not come. 4 Again, he sent forth other servants, saying, Tell them which are bidden, Behold, I have prepared my dinner: my oxen and [my] fatlings [are] killed, and all things [are] ready: come unto the marriage. 5 But they made light of [it], and went their ways, one to his farm, another to his merchandise: 6 And the remnant took his servants, and entreated [them] spitefully, and slew [them]. 7 But when the king heard [thereof], he was wroth: and he sent forth his armies, and destroyed those murderers, and burned up their city. :8 Then saith he to his servants, The wedding is ready, but they which were bidden were not worthy. 9 Go ye therefore into the highways, and as many as ye shall find, bid to the marriage. 10 So those servants went out into the highways, and gathered together all as many as they found, both bad and good: and the wedding was furnished with guests.
The parable of the wedding Feast was told to many of the Jews who were plotting to kill Jesus. His purpose was to show them that they were without excuse for their rejection of Christ, and foretold the destruction of Jerusalem, just as the parable of the evil husbandmen. The substitute guests seem quite naturally to point to the outcasts or Gentiles. Jesus not only condemns the Jews who would reject Him, but is also prophecies the coming on of the Gentiles. Also read Luke 14:16-24

The Shepherd, the Thief, and the Doorkeeper
John 10:1-18 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber. 2 But he that entereth in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. 3 To him the porter openeth; and the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out. 4 And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice. 5 And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers. 6 This parable spake Jesus unto them: but they understood not what things they were which he spake unto them. 7 Then said Jesus unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep. 8 All that ever came before me are thieves and robbers: but the sheep did not hear them. 9 I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture. 10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have [it] more abundantly. 11 I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep. 12 But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep. 13 The hireling fleeth, because he is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep. 14 I am the good shepherd, and know my [sheep], and am known of mine. 15 As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep. 16 And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, [and] one shepherd. 17 Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again. 18 No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father.
Verse 16 turns suddenly to what appears to be an entirely new concept - other sheep, another fold. Here, the "other sheep" are Gentiles who are "not of this sheep pen" (Not from Israel), but who must also be gathered unto Him, into One Flock, all for the purpose of Salvation. This is a clear reference to God's concern for the Gentiles (already expressed in the Old Testament) and to the Gentile mission of the church.
The Closed Door
Luke 13:23 Then said one unto him, Lord, are there few that be saved? And he said unto them, 24 Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able. 25 When once the master of the house is risen up, and hath shut to the door, and ye begin to stand without, and to knock at the door, saying, Lord, Lord, open unto us; and he shall answer and say unto you, I know you not whence ye are: 26 Then shall ye begin to say, We have eaten and drunk in thy presence, and thou hast taught in our streets. 27 But he shall say, I tell you, I know you not whence ye are; depart from me, all [ye] workers of iniquity. 28 There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth, when ye shall see Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, and all the prophets, in the kingdom of God, and you [yourselves] thrust out. 29 And they shall come from the east, and [from] the west, and from the north, and [from] the south, and shall sit down in the kingdom of God. 30 And, behold, there are last which shall be first, and there are first which shall be last. 31 The same day there came certain of the Pharisees, saying unto him, Get thee out, and depart hence: for Herod will kill thee.
"And men will come from east and west, and from north and south, and sit at table in the kingdom of God." Entrance into God's Kingdom of many Gentiles is apparent from verse 29, as from parables already quoted. This, indeed, was boldly pictured in the Old Testament.
Commentaries as Sources
It is an errant notion that Jesus never spoke of gentile salvation.
Matthew 8:5-13 And when Jesus was entered into Capernaum, there came unto him a centurion, beseeching him, And saying, Lord, my servant lieth at home sick of the palsy, grievously tormented. 7 And Jesus saith unto him, I will come and heal him. 8 The centurion answered and said, Lord, I am not worthy that thou shouldest come under my roof: but speak the word only, and my servant shall be healed. 9 For I am a man under authority, having soldiers under me: and I say to this [man], Go, and he goeth; and to another, Come, and he cometh; and to my servant, Do this, and he doeth [it]. 10 When Jesus heard [it], he marvelled, and said to them that followed, Verily I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel. 11 And I say unto you, That many shall come from the east and west, and shall sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of heaven. 12 But the children of the kingdom shall be cast out into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. 13 And Jesus said unto the centurion, Go thy way; and as thou hast believed, [so] be it done unto thee. And his servant was healed in the selfsame hour.

The "Bible Knowledge Commentary," pg. 37
On Matthew 8:5-13: The second miracle dealing with disease also reflected on Jesus' authority. As he entered Capernaum, a Roman centurion came...asking for help. This Gentile approached Jesus as Lord (as did the Leper, Matt. 8:2) and requested healing for a servant of his. Luke has doulos ("slave") whereas Matthew has pais ("boy"), which may suggest the slave was young. He was paralyzed and suffering intensely, and he was near death (Luke 7:2).
When Jesus said He would go heal him, the centurion replied that would not be necessary. As a man who was used to giving orders, he understood the principle of authority. One with authority does not need to be present to accomplish a task. Orders may be carried out by others even at a distance. Jesus marveled at the centurions great Faith, for this was the kind of faith He was vainly looking for in Israel. Faith such as this made entrance into His Kingdom possible, regardless of national, racial, or geographical residence (the East and the West). (Eating at a banquet often pictured being in the kingdom; cf. Isa. 25:6, Matt. 22:1-4; Luke 14:15-24.) But those who thought they would automatically gain entrance because of their religious backgrounds (they considered themselves subjects [lit., "sons"] of the kingdom) would not find entrance (Matt. 8:12). Instead they would be cast into judgment (thrown outside, into the darkness; cf. 22:13).
Jesus Himself was speaking of Gentile (Non-Israelite) Faith/Salvation here when saying that "many shall come from the East and West."
"William's Complete Bible Commentary," pg. 799
On John 10:16: "Other Sheep" (v. 16). "These are usually assumed to be the Gentiles.
The "Holman Bible Handbook," pg. 620
On John 10:16: "As the Good Shepherd, Jesus mentioned that there are "other sheep" that will listen to His voice and will one day be brought into the fold. More than likely what is in view are the Gentiles who would come to believe in Christ."

"New Illustrated Bible Commentary," pg. 1340
On John 10:16: "The other sheep were not Jews in heathen lands, but Gentiles. The Jewish people had asked if Jesus would go and teach the Gentiles (7:35). Jesus now declared that He had sheep among the 'despised heathen.' One flock anticipates the salvation of the Gentiles and the formation of the Church, in which converted Jews and Gentiles would form one spiritual body (1 Cor. 12:13; Gal. 3:28; Eph. 2:16)."

There is no more Jew or Gentile because both are now one in Christ (Galations 3:26, 3:28-29).
Scripture References:
Isaiah 42:1 Behold my servant, whom I uphold; mine elect, [in whom] my soul delighteth; I have put my spirit upon him: he shall bring forth judgment to the Gentiles. 2 He shall not cry, nor lift up, nor cause his voice to be heard in the street.3 A bruised reed shall he not break, and the smoking flax shall he not quench: he shall bring forth judgment unto truth. 4 He shall not fail nor be discouraged, till he have set judgment in the earth: and the isles shall wait for his law. Thus saith God the LORD, he that created the heavens, and stretched them out; he that spread forth the earth, and that which cometh out of it; he that giveth breath unto the people upon it, and spirit to them that walk therein: 6 I the LORD have called thee in righteousness, and will hold thine hand, and will keep thee, and give thee for a covenant of the people, for a light of the Gentiles;
Note that in the NIV Bible the Gentiles are often referred to as "the nations" instead of the Gentiles.
Isaiah 60:1-3 Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the LORD is risen upon thee. 2 For, behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people: but the LORD shall arise upon thee, and his glory shall be seen upon thee. 3 And the Gentiles shall come to thy light, and kings to the brightness of thy rising.
Isa 51:4 Hearken unto me, my people; and give ear unto me, O my nation: for a law shall proceed from me, and I will make my judgment to rest for a light of the people. 5 My righteousness [is] near; my salvation is gone forth, and mine arms shall judge the people; the isles shall wait upon me, and on mine arm shall they trust.
Gen 10:5 By these were the isles of the Gentiles divided in their lands; every one after his tongue, after their families, in their nations.
Luke 2:32 A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel.
Isa 11:10 And in that day there shall be a root of Jesse, which shall stand for an ensign of the people; to it shall the Gentiles seek: and his rest shall be glorious.
Matthew 10:5 These twelve Jesus sent forth, and commanded them, saying, Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into [any] city of the Samaritans enter ye not: 6 But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. 7 And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand.
Matthew 12:17 That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying, 18 Behold my servant, whom I have chosen; my beloved, in whom my soul is well pleased: I will put my spirit upon him, and he shall shew judgment to the Gentiles. 19 He shall not strive, nor cry; neither shall any man hear his voice in the streets. 20 A bruised reed shall he not break, and smoking flax shall he not quench, till he send forth judgment unto victory. 21 And in his name shall the Gentiles trust.
Matthew. 15:24 "I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel" [Jesus talking to the woman of Canaan with the daughter vexed with demons]
John 4:22-24 "Salvation is of the Jews. 23 But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him 24 God [is] a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship [him] in spirit and in truth. [Jesus talking to the Samaritan woman at the well]
Acts 13:47 "The Lord has commanded us, saying, I have set you to be a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring salvation to the uttermost parts of the earth"
Acts 18:6 "Henceforth, I (Paul) will go unto the Gentiles"
Romans 10:12 For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek[Gentiles]: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him.
Matthew 12:16-21 And charged them that they should not make him known: 17 That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying, 18 Behold my servant, whom I have chosen; my beloved, in whom my soul is well pleased: I will put my spirit upon him, and he shall shew judgment to the Gentiles. 19 He shall not strive, nor cry; neither shall any man hear his voice in the streets. 20 A bruised reed shall he not break, and smoking flax shall he not quench, till he send forth judgment unto victory. 21 And in his name shall the Gentiles trust.
Isaiah 8:14 And he shall be for a sanctuary; but for a stone of stumbling and for a rock of offence to both the houses of Israel, for a gin and for a snare to the inhabitants of Jerusalem. 15 And many among them shall stumble, and fall, and be broken, and be snared, and be taken.
Isaiah 28:16 Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD, Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner [stone], a sure foundation: he that believeth shall not make haste.
Isaiah 49:6 And he said, It is a light thing that thou shouldest be my servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob, and to restore the preserved of Israel: I will also give thee for a light to the Gentiles, that thou mayest be my salvation unto the end of the earth.
Psalm 118:22 The stone [which] the builders refused is become the head [stone] of the corner.
1Peter 2:7-10 Unto you therefore which believe [he is] precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner, 8 And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, [even to them] which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed. 9 But ye [are] a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light: 10 Which in time past [were] not a people, but [are] now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.
Matthew 21:42 Jesus saith unto them, Did ye never read in the scriptures, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner: this is the Lord's doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes?
Mark 12:10 And have ye not read this scripture; The stone which the builders rejected is become the head of the corner: 11 This was the Lord's doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes?
Luke 20:17 And he beheld them, and said, What is this then that is written, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner?
Matthew 12:28b then the kingdom of God is come unto you.
Hebrews 11:8-10 By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went. 9 By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as [in] a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise: 10 For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker [is] God.
Psalms 122:6 Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: they shall prosper that love thee.
John 2:15 And when he had made a scourge of small cords, he drove them all out of the temple, and the sheep, and the oxen; and poured out the changers' money, and overthrew the tables;
Exodus 12:43-50 And the LORD said unto Moses and Aaron, This [is] the ordinance of the passover: There shall no stranger eat thereof: 44 But every man's servant that is bought for money, when thou hast circumcised him, then shall he eat thereof. 45 A foreigner and an hired servant shall not eat thereof. 46 In one house shall it be eaten; thou shalt not carry forth ought of the flesh abroad out of the house; neither shall ye break a bone thereof. 47 All the congregation of Israel shall keep it. 48 And when a stranger shall sojourn with thee, and will keep the passover to the LORD, let all his males be circumcised, and then let him come near and keep it; and he shall be as one that is born in the land: for no uncircumcised person shall eat thereof. 49 One law shall be to him that is homeborn, and unto the stranger that sojourneth among you. 50 Thus did all the children of Israel; as the LORD commanded Moses and Aaron, so did they.
Esther 8:17 And in every province, and in every city, whithersoever the king's commandment and his decree came, the Jews had joy and gladness, a feast and a good day. And many of the people of the land became Jews; for the fear of the Jews fell upon them.
Romans 2:28-29 For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither [is that] circumcision, which is outward in the flesh: 29 But he [is] a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision [is that] of the heart, in the spirit, [and] not in the letter; whose praise [is] not of men, but of God.
Romans 9:6-8 Not as though the word of God hath taken none effect. For they [are] not all Israel, which are of Israel: 7 Neither, because they are the seed of Abraham, [are they] all children: but, In Isaac shall thy seed be called. 8 That is, They which are the children of the flesh, these [are] not the children of God: but the children of the promise are counted for the seed.
John 8:37-44 I know that ye are Abraham's seed; but ye seek to kill me, because my word hath no place in you. 38 I speak that which I have seen with my Father: and ye do that which ye have seen with your father. 39 They answered and said unto him, Abraham is our father. Jesus saith unto them, If ye were Abraham's children, ye would do the works of Abraham. 40 But now ye seek to kill me, a man that hath told you the truth, which I have heard of God: this did not Abraham. 41 Ye do the deeds of your father. Then said they to him, We be not born of fornication; we have one Father, [even] God. 42 Jesus said unto them, If God were your Father, ye would love me: for I proceeded forth and came from God; neither came I of myself, but he sent me. 43 Why do ye not understand my speech? [even] because ye cannot hear my word. 44 Ye are of [your] father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.
Ruth 1:16 And Ruth said, Intreat me not to leave thee, [or] to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people [shall be] my people, and thy God my God:
Isaiah 56:1-8 This is what the Lord says:“Maintain justice and do what is right, for my salvation is close at hand and my righteousness will soon be revealed. 2 Blessed is the man who does this, the man who holds it fast, who keeps the Sabbath without desecrating it, and keeps his hand from doing any evil.”3 Let no foreigner who has bound himself to the Lord say,“The Lord will surely exclude me from his people.” And let not any eunuch complain, “I am only a dry tree.”4 For this is what the Lord says:“To the eunuchs who keep my Sabbaths, who choose what pleases me and hold fast to my covenant— to them I will give within my temple and its walls a memorial and a name better than sons and daughters; I will give them an everlasting name that will not be cut off.   And foreigners who bind themselves to the Lord to serve him, to love the name of the Lord, and to worship him, all who keep the Sabbath without desecrating it and who hold fast to my covenant— these I will bring to my holy mountain and give them joy in my house of prayer. Their burnt offerings and sacrifices will be accepted on my altar; for my house will be called a house of prayer for all nations.”
8 The Sovereign Lord declares— he who gathers the exiles of Israel:“I will gather still others to them besides those already gathered.”
Matthew 21:12 And Jesus went into the temple of God, and cast out all them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers, and the seats of them that sold doves,
Matthew 21:13 And said unto them, It is written, My house shall be called the house of prayer; but ye have made it a den of thieves.
Mark 11:17 And he taught, saying unto them, Is it not written, My house shall be called of all nations the house of prayer? but ye have made it a den of thieves.
Luke 19:46 Saying unto them, It is written, My house is the house of prayer: but ye have made it a den of thieves.
Acts 21:28 Crying out, Men of Israel, help: This is the man, that teacheth all [men] every where against the people, and the law, and this place: and further brought Greeks also into the temple, and hath polluted this holy place. 29 (For they had seen before with him in the city Trophimus an Ephesian, whom they supposed that Paul had brought into the temple.)
Matthew 28:18-20 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. 19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, [even] unto the end of the world. Amen.
Matthew 24:32 Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When his branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer [is] nigh: 33 So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, [even] at the doors.
Mark 13:28 Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When her branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is near: 29 So ye in like manner, when ye shall see these things come to pass, know that it is nigh, [even] at the doors.
Luke 14:16-24 Then said he unto him, A certain man made a great supper, and bade many: 17 And sent his servant at supper time to say to them that were bidden, Come; for all things are now ready. 8 And they all with one [consent] began to make excuse. The first said unto him, I have bought a piece of ground, and I must needs go and see it: I pray thee have me excused. 19 And another said, I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I go to prove them: I pray thee have me excused. 20 And another said, I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come. 21 So that servant came, and shewed his lord these things. Then the master of the house being angry said to his servant, Go out quickly into the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in hither the poor, and the maimed, and the halt, and the blind. 22 And the servant said, Lord, it is done as thou hast commanded, and yet there is room. 23 And the lord said unto the servant, Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel [them] to come in, that my house may be filled. 24 For I say unto you, That none of those men which were bidden shall taste of my supper.

represent, indicate, or typify beforehand show, suggest, or announce by an antecedent type, image, or likeness
2 : to picture or imagine beforehand : foresee