Was Jesus an Immigrant?
- Elijah Murrell
- 2 days ago
- 3 min read
If Jesus were born today…
Would He be called an illegal immigrant?
That question is everywhere right now.
You’ve heard pastors say it.
You've seen the clips.
You’ve seen it used to support policies, agendas, and platforms.
But here’s the issue:
When we talk about Jesus, we don’t get to use slogans.
We open the Scripture.
And when we open Scripture — plus history — the narrative people are pushing starts to fall apart.
The Bethlehem Journey: Under the Roman Superpower
When Jesus was born, Rome was the superpower of the day.
There was no competing empire. Rome stretched from Britain to North Africa, from Spain to the Middle East. It ruled the known world.
Judea — where Bethlehem was located — was under Roman authority.
In Luke 2, we read:
“So all went to be registered, everyone to his own city.” (Luke 2:3 NKJV)
Caesar Augustus issued a decree.
Rome required a census.
Joseph obeyed.
Mary and Joseph didn’t flee the government.
They submitted to it.
The very journey that positioned Jesus to fulfill prophecy in Bethlehem happened because they obeyed civil authority.
That’s not rebellion. That’s submission.
And when Jesus was born?
“And she brought forth her firstborn Son… and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.” (Luke 2:7 NKJV)
Scripture does not say they were rejected for being "immigrants."
It says there was no room in the inn.
We cannot insert motives into the text that the text does not give.
The Flight to Egypt: Let’s Get the Facts Right
After Jesus was born, an angel warned Joseph:
“Arise, take the young Child and His mother, flee to Egypt… for Herod will seek the young Child to destroy Him.” (Matthew 2:13 NKJV)
Why did they go?
Because Herod wanted Jesus dead.
This was protection.
It was temporary.
And here’s the historical detail that changes everything:
Egypt was under Roman rule. It had been a Roman province since 30 BC.
Judea? Also under Roman rule.
They did not cross into a foreign empire.
They relocated within the same governing system.
That is not modern illegal immigration language.
That is a temporary refuge under the same superpower.
And Matthew tells us clearly:
“Out of Egypt I called My Son.” (Matthew 2:15 NKJV)
This move wasn’t political.
It was prophetic.
God Is Not the Author of Lawlessness
The New Testament is not confused about authority.
Romans 13 says:
“Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God.” (Romans 13:1 NKJV)
Paul wrote that under Roman rule.
The same Rome that would persecute believers.
The same Rome that crucified Jesus.
Yet Scripture still teaches order — not chaos.
Submission — not lawlessness.
God used Caesar Augustus to move Joseph.
God overruled Herod’s rage.
God fulfilled prophecy through government structures.
Heaven was working through earthly authority.
You can honor the office without idolizing the occupant.
But you cannot twist Scripture to fit a political narrative.
So Was Jesus an Immigrant?
Let’s define the terms.
If by “immigrant” you mean:
• Someone illegally crossing into a foreign sovereign nation
• Someone bypassing civil authority
• Someone permanently relocating under a different government
Then no.
That does not match the biblical record.
That does not match the historical record.
If you mean:
• A child whose family temporarily relocated for safety
• A Messiah who lived under foreign occupation
• The Son of God entering a broken world
Then you’re closer.
But even then, you’re still missing the main point.
Jesus did not come to model immigration policy.
He came to save sinners.
When we reduce Him to a political mascot — red or blue — we shrink the Lord of Glory into a campaign slogan.
He is not a Democrat.
He is not a Republican.
He is Lord.
There’s One More Piece Most People Miss
There’s an Old Testament example that shows exactly what lawful migration looked like in Scripture.
It’s humbling.
It’s clear.
And it reframes this entire conversation.
I break that down in the full episode below— and it might surprise you.
