Table of Contents
- Why Is Jesus Called the Messiah?
- God Promised the Messiah Long Before Jesus Was Born
- Jesus Fulfilled the Prophecies About the Messiah
- Jesus Was Publicly Identified as the Messiah
- Jesus Accepted the Title Messiah
- Why Many People Rejected Jesus as the Messiah
- Jesus Is Both the Suffering Savior and the Coming King
- What Makes Jesus the Promised Messiah?
- Why Is Jesus Called the Messiah Instead of Just a Prophet?
- The Resurrection Proves Jesus Is the Messiah
- Why Is Jesus Called the Messiah for Our Salvation?
- What Does This Mean for You?
- FAQs
Many people ask, why is Jesus called the Messiah? The answer begins long before Jesus was born. For centuries, God promised He would send a Deliverer who would save His people, establish His kingdom, and fulfill His covenant promises.
Jesus did not receive the title "Messiah" because people admired Him or voted Him into leadership. He is the Messiah because He fulfilled God's promises exactly as the Scriptures foretold.
The Bible presents Jesus as the promised Messiah from beginning to end. His birth, life, death, resurrection, and future reign all confirm that He is the Christ God promised.
Why Is Jesus Called the Messiah?
The word "Messiah" comes from the Hebrew word Mashiach, meaning "Anointed One." The Greek equivalent is Christos, from which we get the title "Christ."
When people ask why is Jesus called the Messiah, they are really asking why He alone fulfills God's promises.
Andrew recognized this soon after meeting Jesus.
He first found his own brother, Simon, and said to him, "We have found the Messiah!" which is, being interpreted, Christ.
John 1:41 (WEB)
The title "Messiah" identifies Jesus as God's chosen Deliverer. It declares that He is the One whom the prophets anticipated throughout the Old Testament.
God Promised the Messiah Long Before Jesus Was Born
The promised Messiah was not a new idea that appeared in the New Testament.
After Adam and Eve sinned, God immediately promised that one day a descendant of the woman would defeat Satan.
I will put hostility between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring. He will bruise your head, and you will bruise his heel.
Genesis 3:15 (WEB)
As history unfolded, God revealed more about the coming Messiah.
He would come through Abraham's family.
He would come from the tribe of Judah.
He would be a descendant of King David.
He would be born in Bethlehem.
He would suffer for sinners.
He would reign forever.
These promises all pointed to one person.
Jesus Fulfilled the Prophecies About the Messiah
One of the strongest answers to why is Jesus called the Messiah is that He fulfilled the prophecies God gave hundreds of years before His birth.
Consider just a few examples.
| Old Testament Prophecy | Fulfillment in Jesus |
|---|---|
| Descendant of Abraham (Genesis 22:18) | Matthew 1:1 |
| Born in Bethlehem (Micah 5:2) | Matthew 2:1 |
| Descendant of David (2 Samuel 7:16) | Luke 1:32-33 |
| Suffered for sin (Isaiah 53) | John 19 |
| Rose from the dead (Psalm 16:10) | Acts 2:31-32 |
No one else in history fulfills this collection of Messianic prophecy the way Jesus does.
The prophecies were written by different authors over many centuries, yet they come together perfectly in Christ.
Jesus Was Publicly Identified as the Messiah
The New Testament repeatedly records people recognizing Jesus as the promised Messiah.
Peter made one of the clearest confessions.
Simon Peter answered, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God."
Matthew 16:16 (WEB)
Jesus did not correct Peter.
Instead, He affirmed that this truth had been revealed by God the Father.
Later, Martha also confessed her faith.
"Yes, Lord. I have come to believe that you are the Christ, God's Son, he who comes into the world."
John 11:27 (WEB)
Throughout His ministry, people wrestled with Jesus' identity.
Some rejected Him.
Others believed He truly was the promised Messiah.
Jesus Accepted the Title Messiah
Jesus never denied being the Messiah.
Instead, He revealed His identity at the proper time.
When speaking with the Samaritan woman, she expressed hope in the coming Messiah.
The woman said to him, "I know that Messiah comes," (he who is called Christ). "When he has come, he will declare to us all things."
John 4:25 (WEB)
Jesus said to her, "I am he, the one who speaks to you."
John 4:26 (WEB)
This was one of Jesus' clearest public declarations.
He openly identified Himself as the long-awaited Messiah.
Why Many People Rejected Jesus as the Messiah
If Jesus fulfilled the prophecies, why did many reject Him?
Many expected the promised Messiah to overthrow Rome and restore Israel's political power immediately.
Instead, Jesus came first to deal with humanity's greatest enemy: sin.
Isaiah had already foretold that the Messiah would suffer.
But he was pierced for our transgressions. He was crushed for our iniquities. The punishment that brought our peace was on him; and by his wounds we are healed.
Isaiah 53:5 (WEB)
Many people focused on the promises of a reigning King while overlooking the prophecies of a suffering Savior.
Because Jesus came in humility, they concluded He could not be the promised Messiah.
Jesus Is Both the Suffering Savior and the Coming King
The Old Testament describes two major themes about the Messiah.
First, He would suffer for sin.
Second, He would reign forever.
These are not contradictory.
Jesus fulfilled the first during His first coming.
He will fulfill the second when He returns.
The angel Gabriel announced this before Jesus' birth.
He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father, David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever. There will be no end to his Kingdom.
Luke 1:32-33 (WEB)
Jesus the Messiah has already accomplished salvation through His death and resurrection.
His future return will complete every remaining promise concerning His kingdom.
What Makes Jesus the Promised Messiah?
Several truths uniquely identify Jesus as the promised Messiah.
- He fulfilled Old Testament prophecy.
- He was born into the promised family line.
- He lived a sinless life.
- He performed miracles that demonstrated God's authority.
- He died for sinners.
- He rose from the dead.
- He now reigns at the Father's right hand.
- He will return as King.
No other person fulfills all of these biblical requirements.
That is why Christians confidently call Him Jesus the Christ.
Why Is Jesus Called the Messiah Instead of Just a Prophet?
Many prophets faithfully spoke God's Word.
The Messiah is far greater than a prophet.
The Messiah fulfills every role that Israel needed.
| Role | How Jesus Fulfills It |
|---|---|
| Prophet | Reveals God's truth perfectly |
| Priest | Offers Himself as the sacrifice for sin |
| King | Reigns forever over God's kingdom |
Jesus does not merely announce God's plan.
He accomplishes it.
That is why Jesus the Messiah stands above every prophet who came before Him.
The Resurrection Proves Jesus Is the Messiah
The resurrection is God's public declaration that Jesus truly is the promised Messiah.
Death could not hold Him.
Peter explained that David's prophecy pointed forward to Christ.
Because he foresaw this, he spoke about the resurrection of the Christ, that neither was his soul left in Hades, nor did his flesh see decay.
Acts 2:31 (WEB)
If Jesus had remained in the grave, His claims would have failed.
Instead, His resurrection confirmed every promise God had made concerning Him.
Why Is Jesus Called the Messiah for Our Salvation?
Understanding why is Jesus called the Messiah is not simply an academic question.
It is the heart of the Gospel.
God promised to send a Savior because every person is separated from Him by sin.
Jesus fulfilled that promise by taking our punishment on the cross and rising again.
Because He is the promised Messiah, His sacrifice is sufficient for everyone who believes.
John explained why he wrote his Gospel.
But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in his name.
John 20:31 (WEB)
Faith in Jesus is faith in God's promised Savior.
Rejecting Him is rejecting the Messiah whom God faithfully promised throughout Scripture.
What Does This Mean for You?
The question is not only why is Jesus called the Messiah.
The greater question is whether you believe He truly is the promised Christ.
The Bible presents overwhelming evidence through fulfilled prophecy, His perfect life, His sacrificial death, and His victorious resurrection.
Jesus is not merely one religious leader among many.
He is God's promised Messiah, the Savior who came to rescue sinners and the King who will one day reign over all creation.
The invitation remains the same today as it was in the first century.
Trust Jesus the Messiah.
Receive the salvation He purchased through His death and resurrection.
Follow Him as your Lord, your Savior, and your coming King.
FAQs
Why is Jesus called the Messiah?
Jesus is called the Messiah because He fulfilled God's promises about the coming Deliverer. The Old Testament foretold that the Messiah would come from the line of David, be born in Bethlehem, suffer for sin, and reign forever. Jesus fulfilled these prophecies, proving that He is God's promised Christ.
"He first found his own brother, Simon, and said to him, 'We have found the Messiah!' which is, being interpreted, Christ."
John 1:41 (WEB)
What does the title Messiah mean?
The title "Messiah" means "Anointed One." It comes from the Hebrew word Mashiach. In the New Testament, the Greek word Christos is translated as "Christ." Both titles identify Jesus as the One chosen by God to save His people and establish His everlasting kingdom.
"Simon Peter answered, 'You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.'"
Matthew 16:16 (WEB)
How do we know Jesus fulfilled the Messianic prophecies?
Jesus fulfilled numerous prophecies written centuries before His birth. He was born in Bethlehem, descended from David, suffered for sinners, and rose from the dead. These fulfilled prophecies provide powerful biblical evidence that Jesus is the promised Messiah.
"But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, being small among the clans of Judah, out of you one will come out to me who is to be ruler in Israel. His goings out are from ancient times, from everlasting."
Micah 5:2 (WEB)
Why did many people reject Jesus as the Messiah?
Many people expected the Messiah to be a military king who would defeat Rome and restore Israel's political power. Instead, Jesus first came as the suffering Savior to deal with humanity's greatest problem—sin. Because He did not match their expectations, many refused to believe He was the promised Messiah.
"He was despised and rejected by men, a man of suffering and acquainted with disease. He was despised as one from whom men hide their face; and we didn't respect him."
Isaiah 53:3 (WEB)
Why is Jesus called the Messiah if He has not established His earthly kingdom yet?
The Bible teaches that the Messiah would both suffer and reign. Jesus fulfilled the prophecies about His suffering during His first coming through His death and resurrection. He will fulfill the remaining kingdom prophecies when He returns to reign as King over all the earth.
"He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father, David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever. There will be no end to his Kingdom."
Luke 1:32-33 (WEB)
Why is Jesus called the Messiah for our salvation?
Understanding why is Jesus called the Messiah reveals the heart of the Gospel. God promised to send a Savior because every person is guilty of sin and separated from Him. Jesus fulfilled that promise by living a sinless life, dying on the cross in our place, and rising from the dead. Because He is the promised Messiah, everyone who repents and trusts Him receives forgiveness of sins and eternal life.
"But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in his name."
John 20:31 (WEB)
What should I do if I believe Jesus is the Messiah?
Believing Jesus is the Messiah calls for more than agreeing with a biblical fact. It means trusting Him as the Savior God promised, turning from sin, and following Him as Lord. Faith in Jesus is the proper response to God's fulfilled promises.
"The time is fulfilled, and God's Kingdom is at hand! Repent, and believe in the Good News."
Mark 1:15 (WEB)
