No, Israel did not recognize Jesus as their Messiah during His first coming because they were unbelieving and refused to search the Scriptures.
According to Les Feldick, although the Old Testament prophecies were plain, Israel did not know Jesus when He came. Their ignorance was not innocent; it was due to their unbelief. This lack of recognition served a purpose: it allowed Jesus to pray for their forgiveness and gave the nation an escape route from immediate destruction, as seen in Acts and Stephen's plea.
Zechariah 12:10 — This verse prophesies that Israel will look upon the One they pierced and mourn, showing they did not recognize Him at first but will at His second coming.
Acts 3:17 — Peter acknowledges that Israel acted in ignorance, which is central to why they were not destroyed and why mercy was extended.
The Bible records that Israel rejected Jesus at His first coming, but it also indicates that they did not fully know who He was. In 1 Corinthians 2:8, Paul writes, 'Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.' This shows that the rulers did not recognize Him. In Acts 3:17, Peter tells the people, 'And now, brethren, I wot that through ignorance ye did it, as did also your rulers.' This ignorance was not willful rejection of known truth but a failure to comprehend His identity. Furthermore, Zechariah 12:10 foretells a day when Israel will look upon 'whom they pierced' and mourn, indicating that their recognition is future. Zechariah 13:6 adds that when asked about the wounds in His hands, the answer is 'Those with which I was wounded in the house of my friends,' revealing that those who inflicted the wounds were His own people, who did not know Him.
Les Feldick teaches that Israel should have known Jesus was the Messiah because the Old Testament prophecies were clear, but they did not because they were unbelieving and refused to search the Scriptures. He points out that even the religious leaders had to look up Micah 5:2 when Herod asked where the Messiah would be born (Clip 2). This ignorance was not an excuse but a divine escape route: because they acted in ignorance, God could forgive them rather than destroy the nation. Jesus even prayed from the cross, 'Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do' (Luke 23:34), which Les emphasizes (implied in the summary). Les also uses the analogy of Joseph and Moses: both were rejected the first time by their brethren, who did not recognize them, and later were received in reunion. Similarly, Israel will have an emotional reunion with Jesus when He returns, as described in Zechariah 12–13 (Clips 0, 4). He illustrates the Jewish mindset with the example of a rabbi who said the Messiah is coming, not returning, showing they do not believe He has been here before (Clip 3). This misunderstanding persists today, as many Jews still await a first coming (Clip 6).
Les Feldick teaches that Joseph is a type of Christ: Joseph was rejected by his brothers the first time, and they did not know who he was. When he revealed himself, it was an emotional reunion. Likewise, Israel did not know Jesus at His first coming, but at His second coming, they will recognize Him and experience a glorious reunion, as prophesied in Zechariah.
Les teaches that because Israel did not know who Jesus was, they were not guilty of the same sin as if they had rejected Him with full knowledge. This ignorance allowed God to spare them and extend mercy, as evidenced by Jesus' prayer for forgiveness and Stephen's similar plea. Had they known, there would have been no excuse and God would have had to destroy the nation.
Les explains that many Jewish people, even today, do not accept that Jesus was the Messiah and are still expecting a first coming. They are looking for the coming of the Messiah, not a return. This is because they do not believe He has been here before, as illustrated by the rabbi's comment that they will ask Him if He has been here before.
Emotional Reunion at Second Coming
Les illustrates that Israel did not know Jesus at His first advent, but at His second coming there will be a glorious emotional reunion, as seen in Zechariah.
Joseph as a Type of Christ: The Hidden Prophecy in Genesis 37-46
and you're going to have much the same thing happening when Christ returns, and the nation of Israel suddenly, as a nation, will realize who He is. And then you have this great event. Zechariah chapter 12, verse 10, where the prophet writes, and speaking of Christ, of course, I will pour out upon the house of David and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem the spirit of grace and supplications, and th…
Israel's Unbelief and Failure to Search Scripture
Les explains that Israel should have known Jesus was the Messiah from the Old Testament, but their unbelief prevented them from searching the Scriptures, as when the priests had to look up Micah.
Jewish Misunderstanding of Messiah's Coming
Les shares an anecdote of a rabbi who said the Messiah is coming, not returning, showing the Jewish inability to recognize Jesus as the previous Messiah.
Zechariah 13: Wounds in His Hands
Les points to Zechariah 13 describing the future recognition when Israel will ask about the wounds in His hands, indicating they did not know Him before.
Why Israel Was Blinded — Acts 13 & Romans 11 Explained
What did every Jew really want way down deep in their being, even before Christ came in His first advent? What were they longing for? The King, the Messiah, the Redeemer, see? A few of them recognized Him. That's what it meant here, see? A few became the elect. They recognized who He was. But the majority, they rejected Him. All right, now read on. "...
Modern Israel Expecting First Coming
Les notes that many Jews today are still looking for the Messiah's first coming, not realizing Jesus already came.
Ignorance as an Escape Route
Les teaches that Israel's ignorance of Jesus' identity gave them an escape route, as Peter said they acted in ignorance, and had they known, they would not have crucified Him.
Zechariah 12:10: And I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and of supplications: and they shall look upon me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for him, as one mourneth for his only son, and shall be in bitterness for him, as one that is in bitterness for his firstborn.
This verse shows that Israel will recognize the One they pierced and mourn in a future reunion.
Zechariah 13:6: And one shall say unto him, What are these wounds in thine hands? Then he shall answer, Those with which I was wounded in the house of my friends.
This indicates that the wounds are from His own people, showing their lack of recognition at first.
1 Corinthians 2:8: But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory: Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.
This states that the rulers did not know who Jesus was, otherwise they would not have crucified Him.
Acts 3:17: And now, brethren, I wot that through ignorance ye did it, as did also your rulers.
Peter acknowledges that Israel acted in ignorance, which is the basis for mercy.
No, the majority did not. Les Feldick teaches that they should have known from the Old Testament, but their unbelief kept them from searching the Scriptures. The religious leaders even had to consult Micah when questioned by Herod.
Because they acted in ignorance, not knowing who He was. This gave them an escape route. Jesus prayed for their forgiveness, and Peter later said they did it in ignorance, allowing God's mercy to continue.
Yes, at His second coming. Les Feldick points to Zechariah 12:10 and 13:6, where Israel will look upon the One they pierced and mourn, leading to a glorious emotional reunion.
Watch the Teaching: Why Israel Rejected Their Messiah — Acts 7 & Joseph Explained