Was Jesus an introvert or extrovert?

By Brandon Lemons

While working on recent sermons, my mind wandered to this question: “Was Jesus an introvert or extrovert?” This seemed relevant as I studied Jesus’ routine of pulling away to be alone in the wilderness. For instance, Luke 5:16 says, “Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.” Seeking to be alone, especially after being with a crowd, is a classically introverted move. Is this proof that Jesus was an introvert? If so, what about the times Jesus seemed to enjoy being with people? Was Jesus an introvert or extrovert? My processing of this question led in a surprising and enlightening direction, which I’ll share toward the end of this article.

Jesus Had Significant Introvert Traits

Luke 5:16 says Jesus “often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.” Jesus consistently pursued time alone, away from other people.

It’s especially noteworthy how often Jesus sought solitude after being with large crowds (see Mark 1:32-37; Luke 5:15-16; and John 6:15).

Relationally, Jesus prioritized investing in deep relationships, especially the twelve disciples. Proof of this priority is Mark 6:31-32, which says: “Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to [his disciples], ‘Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.’ So they went away by themselves in a boat to a solitary place.”

Jesus also seemed to value extended times of contemplation and prayer, whether 40 days to begin His ministry or overnight on multiple occasions.

All these reflect patterns that are associated with introversion. Typically, introverts feel drained after being around lots of people; they need to be alone to get refueled. Additionally, when introverts are engaged socially, they generally prefer a small number of close friends rather than a crowd that includes acquaintances and strangers.

Jesus Had Significant Extrovert Traits

Jesus frequently sought out situations where crowds gathered, such as weddings, synagogues, festivals, and parties. He did not shy away from large gatherings but instead was an outspoken and magnetic presence at these events. See, for instance, Luke 7:36-50 and John 7-8.

Jesus initiated conversations with strangers. Think of the Samaritan woman at the well (John 4) and the time Jesus invited Himself to Zacchaeus’ house for dinner (Luke 19:1-10). Talking with strangers is a common fear of introverts.

Jesus readily shared His life with many people. Most noteworthy were His twelve disciples, with whom He shared nearly every moment; He wanted them to “be with him” (Mark 3:14). His circle of friends and daily acquaintances was even larger than the Twelve. For instance, there were a handful of women who followed Jesus during His ministry (Luke 8:1-3). The sibling group of Mary, Martha, and Lazarus were close friends with Jesus. Luke 10:1 records that Jesus had 72 followers whom He sent to do ministry work. Jesus intentionally lived among many people!

Or consider Jesus’ actions in John 1:35-39 through the lens of introversion and extroversion: “The next day John [the Baptist} was there again with two of his disciples. When he saw Jesus passing by, he said, ‘Look, the Lamb of God!’ When the two disciples heard him say this, they followed Jesus. Turning around, Jesus saw them following and asked, ‘What do you want?’ They said, ‘Rabbi, where are you staying?’ ‘Come,’ he replied, ‘and you will see.’ So they went and saw where he was staying, and they spent that day with him.” Rather than simply answering the strangers’ question, Jesus said, “Come and see.” It’s an invitation to be with Him, and they spent the day together.

These behaviors reflect significant extroverted tendencies. Jesus is very people-oriented!

So…was Jesus an introvert or extrovert?

I don’t think Jesus fits well into either category. He has significant traits of both – especially the strengths that come with each. He valued being with people, and He valued being alone. Both are important and healthy. In modern terms, Jesus was probably an “ambivert.” An ambivert has a balance of introvert and extrovert features.

When studying passages of Scripture that may shed light on Jesus’ personality, it is important to consider the context of each passage. For instance, when Jesus went alone into the wilderness, it was not simply to be alone; it was to pray to His heavenly Father. This is different than simply wanting to be alone. When Jesus pulled His disciples away from crowds, it was often a form of leadership development, so He could invest in their growth; this is different than simply preferring smaller relational settings. Or when Jesus interacted with strangers and crowds, He was doing ministry; this doesn’t automatically mean Jesus was fueled by being with people. As always, we must interpret verses and passages in context. The reality is often more complex than first appearance.

A different category for Jesus (and for us)?

Introversion and extroversion are modern psychological categories for describing where a person gets their energy. These categories do not measure friendliness. Some introverts are terrific at socializing, even though it wears them down; some extroverts are quiet and shy, even though they love being around people. It’s all about what energizes a person. Introverts get refueled by time alone. Extroverts are energized by being with people – the more the better!

As I studied Jesus’ pattern of pulling away from people to pray, I realized introvert/extrovert are probably not the right categories for Jesus. Jesus’ main fuel for life did not come from being with people or from being alone. Specifically, when Jesus pulled away from people, He was not doing so merely to be alone. The reason He “often withdrew to lonely places” was to pray (Luke 5:16)! He wanted to talk undistractedly with His heavenly Father, not merely to be alone.

This realization led me to create a new word: “theovert.”

Where did Jesus get His energy? From God! In Greek, the word for “God” is “Theos.” Hence, Jesus was a “theovert.” Jesus derived His energy and sustenance from God!

A clear example is John 4:32-34. Jesus’ disciples assumed He would be famished, “But he said to them, ‘I have food to eat that you know nothing about….. My food is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work.” Similarly, Jesus said in Matthew 4:4, “Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.” Jesus’ energy source was God! Which explains why Jesus so regularly pulled away from people and busyness so He could be with His heavenly Father. This was His way of refueling. Merely spending time alone would not refuel Jesus any more than parking at a gas station without pumping fuel would fill your gas tank. Jesus craved God! Merely spending time with people and doing ministry was not enough to refuel Jesus; if it was, He wouldn’t need to pull away to spend time in prayer. Jesus craved God! God was where Jesus derived His energy.

We, too, can be “theoverts”!

Whether we are introverts or extroverts, we can all be theoverts! Theoverts love focusing on God, spending time with God, and talking with God. Theoverts derive their sense of identity, worth, and security from God. In this sense, the opposite of being a theovert is being an idolator. Idolatry derives an ultimate sense of identity, worth, and security from things besides God – things like our performance and popularity.

Introversion/extroversion are on a different spectrum than whether a person is being refueled by God. Both extroverts and introverts can also be theoverts. So perhaps this whole study has led us to abandon the original question of “Was Jesus an introvert or extrovert?” If we must stick to these categories, He was probably an ambivert – the best of both worlds.

But ultimately, Jesus’ soul was not refueled by simply being alone, and His soul was not refueled by simply being with people. For Jesus, both were avenues of connecting with God, enjoying God, and being fueled by God. The key was not the presence or absence of people; the key for Jesus was connecting with God.

It can be that way for us, too.

If you are an extrovert, Jesus’s way of life reminds you to slow down, pull away, pray, and rest in the Father’s love for you.

If you are an introvert, Jesus’ way of life reminds you to engage with people, invest in relationships, and serve sacrificially – and recognize that doing so is a way to glorify God by loving those around you.

In closing, God designed everyone to live with Him as our soul’s energy source, for it is “in Him we live and move and have our being” (Acts 17:28). Jesus knew this better than anyone else, and He models how to live a God-fueled, “theoverted” life.