By Kate Fletcher
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The Marginalised is referred to as groups of people that are
treated as insignificant or peripheral, or to be relegated to a
lower or outer edge.
Throughout the Bible, many references are made to different
under valued groups within the society which can all fall into the
Marginalised, some of which are still seen in today’s modern
society.
As seen in the Bible, Jesus accepted all these people for who
they are and believed in them, that if they turned to God they
could become a better, faithful person.
Even though he was often scolded for it, Jesus dined, and spent
time with those the “god lovers” believed to be un deserving.
There are five main sub categories:
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Women
The Poor
Sinners
The Sick
Gentiles
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Much of the lukan community was made up of women as a
group within the marginalised
In biblical times Women were considered inferior to men
They had restricted rights and were not seen as having
value to society.
“The book of Leviticus shows that women were physically
inferior because of their natural bodily functions, which
make them unclean in the eyes of God”
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statements in the Bible show that the natural cycles of a
woman’s body are seen as unclean and unholy thus
prescribing Women as unclean and unholy.
 For these reasons women are restricted in their activities
and enable to partake in religious ceremonies
Also women need a stringent and thorough purification
process, while men can often become clean by washing with
water.
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The Levites are responsible for upholding the laws of
cleanliness as God’s priests.
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the Gospels of Jesus bring a change
in status for Women, Jesus treats theme as
equal and does not judge them on their
problems but rather on their faithful hearts.
 He accepts them as his disciples and teaches
them about God.
 The Gospels of Mathew, Mark, Luke and John
all preach this message of equality and
Christs fair treatment of Women.
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The poor were highly populated among the marginalised and
were also mistreated.
Those who were of a low economic standing were viewed with no
value as they couldn't financially contribute to the society.
They were often used as slaves which was a highly accepted
practice in biblical times, however they were constantly misused.
Again this was counteracted in the Jesus Gospels as he brought
good news for the poor especially seen in the beatitudes.
They became more included by the faith hearted as they were
preached messages of God through Jesus giving them Hope.
Jesus also preached similar messages to those who were well off,
making them see that those who suffer will be powerful in
heaven and those who flaunt their riches will become poor.
Sinners included anyone who was seen by the
general community to be doing something
against the teachings from God.
 Especially prominent in Biblical times were tax
collectors, middle class society did not like such
people as many of them over charged on tax,
and collected some for themselves.
 Jesus frequently dined with these sinners, much
to the dislike of people who believed themselves
to be good Jews.
 However, Jesus believed these people could
become faithful and also showed that these are
the people he needs to preach to as they are the
ones who need saving, not the ones who are
already saved by their faithfulness.
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In the times of the bible, it was believed that
the sick must have done something wrong by God
and that this was their punishment.
 Therefore, society outcasts such people with
illnesses and portrays them as unclean and
unworthy of attention.
 Many were seen to be possessed by demons.
 Jesus shows the communities that these people
with illnesses are in fact part of God’s plan and
will be saved because of their faith in God.
 Jesus also preaches this to the sick themselves
to give them hope and knowledge of why they
must suffer for the creation of the new kingdom
of God.
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The Gentiles were anyone who was not Jewish.
The early Jews who came from Israel, believed that
they were the chosen ones and that only they would
be saved by the kingdom of God.
The term Gentiles was used to distinguish between
Jews and everyone else.
This later also helped the Gentiles understand having
been made a part of God's people and the glory of it.
In Ephesians 2:15 it says that God made the Jews and
Gentiles into one new man. He didn't make them all
Jews and He didn't make them all Gentiles. He made
them Christians.
The Gentiles were mainly outcast from the Jews as
they were also seen as un holy and un worthy of the
Glory of God.
All throughout the Bible we see many references
to the outcast in society.
We see the struggle these people went through
in everyday life and even some of those who
believed themselves to be the faithful Jews, still
had a different level of standards for treating
the marginalised.
This was counteracted in the gospels of Mathew,
Mark, Luke and John. In Jesus’ time, he included
and preached to these people, giving them hope
of salvation and a sense of belonging. Very often
these people became the most faithful and loyal
to serving God and living by the word of the
Lord.
WOMEN:
Women's behaviour was extremely limited in the times of the old
testament, quite similar to the women of Afghanistan during
the recent Taliban oppression.
 Unmarried women were not allowed to leave the home of their
father without permission.
 Married women were not allowed to leave the home of their
husband, without permission.
 They were normally restricted to roles of little or no authority.
 They could not testify in court.
 They could not appear in public venues.
 They were not allowed to talk to strangers.
 They had to be doubly veiled when they left their homes.
In these Scriptures, women were generally viewed in a negative
light
http://www.religioustolerance.org/ofe_bibl.htm
THE POOR
 Much of the poor in biblical times were used for
slavery.
 Either been sold, forcefully or voluntarily to pay
of debts.
 Slaves were seen as the property of their owner,
with the owner being allowed to do what they
please
 However, it is believed that the treatment of the
old testament slaves was generally more human
that that of other ancient civilisations.
 These people were seen as no value in the
biblical communities, mainly because they could
not attribute any wealth or power in society.
SINNERS
 Sinners in the old testament were those who needed
redemption and saving.
 They were out cast because of their differences and
mistakes.
 They were believed to be not as worthy of the
attention of God or participation in religious
practices because of their mistakes.
 Most people in biblical times believed that they
should be punished and not allowed redemption
because of their sins.
 This was not the church teaching, the church taught
that these people who truly wished repentance
should be absolved of their sins if they choose to
show a commitment to God
THE SICK
 Many people in the old testament times believed
that the illnesses and diseases of the sick were
bestowed upon them by God in punishment for
sin.
 When in fact many of these such illnesses were
brought on by God but as part of his global plan
 The sick peoples faithfulness would prove worthy
of his miracles and then Jesus, through God
would heal them of their problems.
 The sick were marginalised by the communities
as they believed they were possessed by demons
and hanging around such people would create
the possibility of also being infested by these
demons.
GENTILES
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Gentiles were outcast from society throughout the bible for many
different reasons.
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The Jews mostly rejected gentiles because they were not
circumcised and were seen as un clean and un holy and unable to
participate in religious practices
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A lot of the Jews also rejected Jesus because he challenged them
about how they were falling back on their old religious practices
rather than what God had truly meant in the Law.
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The Jews were also looking for a political Messiah to lead from
the throne of David. However, Jesus did not come to set up an
earthly kingdom.
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Jesus was rejected by the Jews because Jesus did not fit their
picture of the Messiah and that he called for an inner holiness,
and not just an outward facade.
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Genesis 1:27 to 3:24:
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In the first creation story (Genesis 1:27) "So God created man in
his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and
female created he them." 2 People believe this is implying
equality between the two genders.
The second creation story, (Genesis 2:7) "...the LORD God
formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his
nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.
Realizing that he needed a helper (Genesis 2:18), God marched
all of the animals past Adam (Genesis 2:19-20) looking for a
suitable animal. Finding none suitable, God created Eve out of
one of Adam's ribs.” The term "helper" is seen to be showing Eve
as holding lesser importance, however some modern scholars
believe it can mean a companion of equal status.
Adam later asserts his authority over Eve by naming her, which in
biblical times would show his authority over her: "...she shall be
called Woman, because she was taken out of Man."
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Exodus 1:13 to 2:24
“13 and worked them ruthlessly. 14 They made their lives
bitter with harsh labour in brick and mortar and with all
kinds of work in the fields; in all their harsh labour the
Egyptians worked them ruthlessly.”
This is an example of where the poor and undervalued in
society, (in this case the Israelites) were made to work as
slaves under the control and power of a higher authority.
Their cries turned to God and were heard, resulting in the
story of the exodus from Egypt.
Genesis 2:4- 3:24
 “ 11 And he said, “Who told you that you were naked?
Have you eaten from the tree that I commanded you
not to eat from?”
12 The man said, “The woman you put here with me—
she gave me some fruit from the tree, and I ate it.”
 Adam and Eve, were created by God yet were also
sinners
 They broke the law given by God but with their
faithful hearts they were able to seek redemption
 This shows that no one is perfect and everyone will
sin at some point and those with a genuine desire and
faithfulness can be forgiven
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Deuteronomy 7:15
“15 The Lord will protect you from all sickness, and he will
not bring on you any of the dreadful diseases that you
experienced in Egypt, but he will bring them on all your
enemies.”
Exodus 23:25
“25 If you worship me, the Lord your God, I will bless you
with food and water and take away all your sicknesses.”
This shows Gods promise to his people and shows that he
tells them, that with a faithful heart, their illnesses will be
cured.
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Ephesians 2:11-22.
Therefore, remember that formerly you who are Gentiles by
birth and called “uncircumcised” by those who call themselves
“the circumcision” (which is done in the body by human hands)—
12 remember that at that time you were separate from Christ,
excluded from citizenship in Israel and foreigners to the
covenants of the promise, without hope and without God in the
world. 13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away
have been brought near by the blood of Christ.
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God's covenants and promises had only been given to the Jews,
through Christ. Now, the Gentiles would also be participants in
them.
Although still outcast, Jesus brought much hope to the Marginalised
in the New Testament
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Women:
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Jesus helped raise Women’s image in society.
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He treated them as equal and as seen throughout Mathew, Mark, Luke and John’s
gospels , some even took a higher rank in authority, especially within Jesus’
followers group.
The Poor:
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Jesus dined and stayed with those with little to give, however, these people were
often the most generous. They would share the little they had with anyone else
in wanting.
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Jesus was frowned upon because he spent so much time with these people
however, he still saw everyone as equal and knew that the people who suffer in
that life would be prosperous in heaven because of their faithfulness.
Sinners:
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The new Testament confirmed that sinners could be forgiven, and that only the
divine (Jesus) was sinless.
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Jesus proves and dines with those sinners who need saving and helps them be
forgiven, much to the dislike to the upper class Jewish community
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The Sick:
 Jesus’ arrival bring miracles of healing illnesses everywhere.
 Sometimes he touched them, sometimes he told them to
bathe, sometimes he spoke a word that resulted in healing
even at a distance.
 All the sick people of approached Jesus was heeled.
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Gentiles:
 Jesus came to include and bring the message that the kingdom
of God was no just for Jews but for everyone, including the
Gentiles that were outcast by the Jews.
 Jesus also pointed out that he was sent to the land to help
save those who had strayed off their path to God and those
with faithful hearts did not need his saving.
Throughout the Gospel of Luke we see a very
diverse social group.
It consist of men and women, Jews and Gentiles,
wealthy and poor, and many other social groups.
Because of such contrast, there would have been
many clashes and controversy within the lukan
community as to who, “deserves” to be included
in the new Kingdom of God.
Throughout Luke, we see the author trying to
dispel such arguments and emphasis the global
teaching that salvation and the Kingdom of God
is for everyone and that everyone is equal.
Also that people appropriateness for God’s
Kingdom should not be judged on their social
status but rather on their faithfulness to God.
In Both Jesus and Luke’s communities, the
segregation was extreme and they both
attempted to tackle such issues in different
ways.
 Jesus taught through preaching and parables. He
taught the fundamental ideas and reiterated
over and over again as seen throughout the bible
that everyone was equal in the eyes of god.
 Luke wrote his Gospel as many argue, as an
attempt to help break down these divisions in
the society and as a legitimating of the new
community.
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JUDGING OTHERS (6:37-42)
In this passage, the teachings of Jesus is shown
very clearly regarding God’s commands on
judging others.
He can be seen to be referring to the communities
judgment on the marginalised, when these
people are just as, or more dysfunctional as
hypocrites by judging these people.
41“Why do you see the speck in your neighbour's
eye but you do not notice the log in your own
eye? 42How can you say to your neighbour,
‘Friend, let me take out the speck in your eye,’
when you don’t see the log in your own eye?”
Jesus is teaching that everyone is equal, no
matter gender or wealth, nor any other
discriminating factor.
He is teaching it for the reason that his
communities were heavily segregated and in
need of a reminder of that specific direction
from God in the initial Covenant.
HUMILITY AND HOSPITALITY (14:7-14)
This passage depicts a feast at which Jesus is present.
By Pointing out peoples self importance by choosing the
high places at the table he describes how such people
are fools and will be humbled in heaven.
Jesus says “When you give a luncheon or dinner, do not
invite your friends, your brothers or sisters, your
relatives, or your rich neighbours; if you do, they
may invite you back and so you will be repaid. 13 But
when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the
crippled, the lame, the blind,”
He is explaining that by taking in the outcasts and doing
what is right, by treating everyone as equal, you will
be blessed and even though the marginalised cannot
repay you, you will be repaid in the Kingdom of God.
This ties in with the beatitudes in which it says
the poor will be prosperous where the
wealthy will be poor in Heaven.
It Shows Jesus compassion for the marginalised
and his ability to see everyone in the same
light.
This teaching of equality is one repeated
throughout Jesus’ life and also in writings of
his time and a fundamental rule of human
interaction in the eyes of God.
Through this we can see that the suffering of
the marginalised in the old testament
continued into the new testament although,
with the introduction of Jesus and other
disciples preaching the messages of equality
from God, an attempt was made to combat
such discrimination and inclusion and hope
was brought for those who were outcasts
that a better life awaited them in the
kingdom of God.
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The man with the unclean spirit (4:31-37)
Healings as Simon's house (4:38-41)
Jesus Cleanses a leper (5:12-16)
Jesus Heals a Paralytic (5:17-26)
The man with a withered hand (6:6-11)
Jesus teachers and heals (6:17-19)
Judging others (6:37-42)
Jesus heals a centurion’s servant (7:1-10)
Jesus raises the widow’s son at Nain (7:11-17)
A sinful Women Forgiven (7:36-50)
Some women Accompany Jesus (8:4-8) a girl restored to life and a woman
healed (8:40-56)
Jesus heals a boy with a demon (9:37-43
The return of the Unclean spirit (11:24-26)
Jesus heals a crippled women (13:18-19)
Jesus Heals the man with Dropsy (14:1-6)
Jesus Cleanses ten Lepers (17:20-37)
And many More...
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Slavery in Bible times by David Meager.
The Gospel of Luke, Sacra Pagina, 1991
Women in the Gospel of Luke, Barbara Reid, 1996
Luke for everyone, Tom Wright, 2001
Luke, Robert Tannehill, 1996
http://www.religioustolerance.org/ofe_bibl.htm
http://www.reneemattila.com/Women%20in%20the%20Bibl
e.htm
http://www.studythebible.com/question/topics/jewsgenti
les.htm
http://www.ehow.com/about_4588754_what-does-biblesay-sick.html
http://www.crivoice.org/tax.html