Christ

Lore & Background

Luke's Gospel announces the birth of 'a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord' in the city of David (Luke 2:11). Throughout the passion narratives, Jesus is mocked as 'Christ the King of Israel' (Mark 15:32) and Pilate refers to him as 'Jesus which is called Christ' (Matthew 27:17, Matthew 27:22). The title thus spans Jesus' birth, ministry, trial, and crucifixion.

Reader's Guide

The passages portray Christ as a divinely appointed figure whose identity is both revealed and contested. In Matthew, the title is genealogically grounded (Matthew 1:1, Matthew 1:17) and linked to miraculous conception (Matthew 1:18). Peter's confession (Matthew 16:16) and the high priest's adjuration (Matthew 26:63) show Christ as the Son of God. Yet Jesus commands secrecy about this identity (Matthew 16:20), and false claimants are warned against (Matthew 24:5, Matthew 24:23-24). Mark similarly emphasizes Christ as Son of God (Mark 1:1) and records Peter's confession (Mark 8:29) and the high priest's question (Mark 14:61). The title is used in teaching about Davidic sonship (Mark 12:35) and in warnings about deception (Mark 13:6, Mark 13:21-22). Luke's nativity account (Luke 2:11) and the mockery at the cross (Mark 15:32) frame Christ as both savior and suffering king. The passages consistently present Christ as a unique, prophesied figure, but also note that many will falsely claim the title.

Did You Know?

• Matthew's genealogy explicitly counts three sets of fourteen generations from Abraham to Christ (Matthew 1:17).
• Jesus commanded his disciples not to tell anyone that he was the Christ (Matthew 16:20).
• Both Matthew and Mark record warnings that false Christs will perform signs and wonders to deceive even the elect (Matthew 24:24, Mark 13:22).
• Pilate referred to Jesus as 'Jesus which is called Christ' when offering to release a prisoner (Matthew 27:17).

Notable Quotes (Wikiquote)

"Our Christian conviction is that Christ is also the messiah of Israel. Certainly it is in the hands of God how and when the unification of Jews and Christians into the people of God will take place." — Christ "The vision of Christ that thou dost see is my vision’s greatest enemy.

Both read the Bible day and night, but thou read’st black where I read white." — Christ "The living truth is what I long to see : I cannot lean upon what used to be. So shut the Bible up and show me how The Christ you talk about Is living now." — Christ "For God has other Words for other worlds,But for this world the Word of God is Christ." — Christ