All authors employ names and titles to convey meaning in their work. The biblical writers are no exception.

I’m nearing the end of a project examining the use of titles and names for Jesus in the Gospels. My first article laid out my methodology and looked at the top 10 titles of Jesus in the Gospels. I have written about the titles of Jesus in Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. I will wrap up this project by looking closely at three titles of Jesus that were used frequently in the Gospels; today we’ll examine what it means for Jesus to be called “Christ.”

Not a Last Name

“Christ” is used so often to refer to Jesus in the modern church that it may be his title with which we’re most familiar. We use and hear the phrase “Jesus Christ” so frequently that we may think “Christ” is Jesus’s surname. (I’m fairly certain I thought this when I was young!)

“Christ” is the transliteration of the Greek word Christos, which means “the anointed one” or “the chosen one” (source). This is closely tied to the Hebrew word “Messiah,” and in the Gospel of John we see those terms identified (John 1:41, 4:25).

There are scenes in the Gospels where it is clear that the Jewish people were waiting for the Messiah—the Christ—to appear (John 10:24). It seems there was much debate over the lineage of the Christ and where he would originate (John 7:40–44).

The Old Testament Background

Anointing happens in the Old Testament when specific people are set apart for specific tasks. Aaron and his sons were anointed to be priests (Exodus 30:30). Isaiah and Elisha were both anointed to be prophets (Isaiah 61:1, 1 Kings 19:16). And both Saul and David were anointed to be kings over Israel (1 Samuel 10:1, 16:13).

In the Old Testament, God gave many promises to Israel of a Savior to come. The expectation of this coming Redeemer, and the understanding of the need for this person to be sent and designated by God for a special purpose, produced the anticipation for The Anointed One. This notion of Messiah was carried into the New Testament.

Usage in the Gospels

Matthew and Mark both open their Gospels by referring to Jesus as the Christ (Matthew 1:1, Mark 1:1). Luke writes that an angel appeared to the shepherds when Jesus was born, telling them of a “Savior, who is Christ the Lord” (Luke 2:11). John uses “Christ” not only as a title near the beginning of his Gospel but also when disclosing the purpose of his work (John 1:17, 20:31). All four Gospel writers are eager to introduce Jesus as the Messiah.

Further, Peter’s confession of Jesus—his response to the question, “But who do you say that I am?”—rests on this title. “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” (See Matthew 16:16, Mark 8:29, and Luke 9:20.) John also records Jesus referring to himself as “Christ” toward the beginning of his high priestly prayer, (John 17:3).

We also read of the connection between Jesus and the Messianic figure of the Old Testament. In Luke 4:16–21, Jesus read from Isaiah 61:1–2 and told those who were listening, “Today this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.” This Old Testament passage describes a prophet “anointed” by God and sent with his Spirit. And while it is not in a Gospel, Peter and John identify Jesus as the Anointed One of Psalm 2 in Acts 4:26.

Conclusion

In the first century, the Jewish people were waiting for a Messiah. They knew that the Anointed One they sought would be sent and prepared by God for great things.

The title “Christ” is used for Jesus 35 times in the Gospels. These authors use this title to connect Jesus to all of the promises of God he fulfilled.