Messiah — Meaning in the Bible
"Anointed one". In the Old Testament kings and priests were anointed; the prophets looked forward to a coming king from David's line. "Christ" is the Greek word with the same meaning.
What it means
Kings were anointed with oil, so the king could be called "the LORD's anointed". God promised David a descendant whose kingdom would last, and the prophets spoke of a coming ruler. 1 Samuel 24:62 Samuel 7:12–16Isaiah 9:6–7Isaiah 11:1–5
In the Gospels Peter confesses Jesus as the Christ, and Andrew tells his brother "We have found the Messiah". "Messiah" (Hebrew) and "Christ" (Greek) both mean anointed one. Matthew 16:15–16John 1:41John 4:25–26
Key passages
- 1 Samuel 16:13 — Samuel anoints David.
- 2 Samuel 7:12–16 — The promise to David.
- Isaiah 9:6–7 — A child born, on David's throne.
- John 1:41 — "We have found the Messiah" (which is, being interpreted, Christ).
- Matthew 16:13–17 — Peter's confession.
- Acts 2:36 — God made Jesus both Lord and Christ.
Original language
מָשִׁיחַ ma.shi.ach
Hebrew · Strong’s H4899 · gloss: “anointed”
The Hebrew word "anointed (one)". 1 Samuel 24:6Psalm 2:2
Χριστός Christos
Greek · Strong’s G5547 · gloss: “Christ”
The Greek title Christ, "anointed". Matthew 16:16
A Strong’s number is a reference identifier, not a complete definition: what a word means in a passage depends on its context. Lexical data: STEPBible.org, based on work at Tyndale House Cambridge (CC BY 4.0).
For children
Messiah means "the chosen king God would send". Christ means the same thing. The Bible says Jesus is the Messiah. John 1:41
Study further
- 2 Samuel 7:1–17 God's promise to David.
- Isaiah 9:1–7 The coming king.
- Matthew 16:13–20 Peter's confession.