Bible glossary
What Does ‘Messiah’ Mean in the Bible?
Messiah means the Anointed One: the promised King and Deliverer God had pledged to send, whom Christians recognize as Jesus.
In short
Messiah means the Anointed One: the promised King and Deliverer God had pledged to send, whom Christians recognize as Jesus.
Messiah is a Hebrew word meaning anointed one; the Greek equivalent is Christ. In the Old Testament, kings and priests were anointed with oil to set them apart for God's service. Over time, hope grew for a supreme Anointed One who would rescue God's people and reign in justice and peace.
The Messiah was expected to be from David's line, to bring salvation, and to establish God's kingdom. The New Testament announces that this long-awaited One had come, though not in the way many expected.
Key verses
“He first findeth his own brother Simon, and saith unto him, We have found the Messias, which is, being interpreted, the Christ.”
John 1:41
“The woman saith unto him, I know that Messias cometh, which is called Christ... Jesus saith unto her, I that speak unto thee am he.”
John 4:25-26
“For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder... The Prince of Peace.”
Isaiah 9:6
Messiah and Jesus
Jesus is the Messiah, the Christ. He came not first to overthrow an empire but to defeat sin and death, saving His people by giving His life and rising again. He is the King the prophets promised, and He reigns in a kingdom that has no end.