Jesus is undoubtedly one of the most influential figures in human history. Billions of people around the world revere Him in some way. But who exactly is Jesus according to the Bible?
The Bible teaches that Jesus is the Son of God who came to Earth to save humanity from sin and death. He lived a sinless life, died on the cross for our sins, and rose from the dead three days later. Here are some key things the Bible says about who Jesus is:
Jesus is God
The Bible affirms that Jesus is fully God. He claimed equality with God (John 5:18) and stated “I and the Father are one” (John 10:30). The apostle Thomas called Jesus “My Lord and my God” (John 20:28). Scripture says Jesus possesses divine attributes like eternity (Micah 5:2), omnipresence (Matthew 18:20), and omniscience (John 16:30). Jesus is called “Mighty God” and “Everlasting Father” (Isaiah 9:6). The Bible is clear that there is only one true God (Isaiah 44:6), and Jesus is repeatedly identified as that one true God come in the flesh.
Jesus is the Messiah
The Old Testament contains hundreds of prophecies about the coming Messiah. Jesus fulfilled every one, proving He is the foretold Messiah. Some examples: He would be born in Bethlehem (Micah 5:2, fulfilled in Luke 2:4-7); He would be preceded by a messenger (Isaiah 40:3, fulfilled in Matthew 3:1-3); He would enter Jerusalem riding a donkey (Zechariah 9:9, fulfilled in Luke 19:35-37). Jesus claimed to be the Messiah and His followers recognized Him as the Messiah (John 1:41). The details of His life clearly identify Him as the promised Messiah.
Jesus is the Son of God
The Bible frequently calls Jesus the Son of God, meaning He shares the same divine nature as God. Jesus referred to God as His Father (John 5:17-18) and claimed He came from the Father’s presence (John 16:28). The Father called Jesus His Son at Jesus’ baptism (Mark 1:11) and transfiguration (Mark 9:7). Jesus is the “monogenes” or “one and only” Son of the Father (John 3:16). He possesses the very essence of the Father as His one-of-a-kind Son.
Jesus is the Word
John 1:1 states, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” This verse identifies Jesus as the divine Word through whom God created the universe. As the Word, Jesus reveals God to us and makes God known. No one has ever seen God, but Jesus as the Word incarnate has revealed His glory and nature (John 1:14-18). Jesus is the full expression of God in human form.
Jesus is sinless
Despite being tempted as all humans are, Jesus never sinned (Hebrews 4:15). He challenged His enemies to convict Him of sin, but they could not (John 8:46). A sinless Savior was necessary, for only a perfect, spotless sacrifice could atone for sin once and for all (Hebrews 9:11-14). Jesus’ sinless life qualified Him to die in our place and save us.
Jesus is Savior
The Bible is clear that sin separates us from God (Isaiah 59:2). But out of love, God sent His Son Jesus to deliver us from sin and restore our relationship with God (Luke 19:10). Jesus’ death on the cross paid the penalty for our sins (Romans 6:23). He saved us from the wrath of God against our sin (Romans 5:9). He reconciled us to God by making peace through His blood (Colossians 1:20). Believing in Jesus is the only way to have sins forgiven and receive eternal life (John 3:16).
Jesus is the resurrection and the life
Jesus rose from the dead in a glorified, immortal body, proving He has power over sin and death. He told Martha, “I am the resurrection and the life” (John 11:25). His resurrection gives us hope that we too will be raised to eternal life. All who believe in Christ will experience resurrection from the dead because Jesus conquered death and rose again as the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep (1 Corinthians 15:20-23).
Jesus is King
Jesus is the prophesied King from the line of David who would rule and reign forever (Isaiah 9:6-7). He was born King of the Jews (Matthew 2:2). During His triumphal entry, the people shouted, “Blessed is the King!” (Luke 19:38). Before Pilate, Jesus declared His kingdom is not of this world (John 18:36). One day Jesus will return to Earth and reign as King over all (Revelation 11:15). Every knee will bow before Him as the King of kings and Lord of lords.
Jesus is the Son of Man
Jesus often called Himself the Son of Man, a title that identified Him as the heavenly figure in Daniel’s vision who would have everlasting dominion (Daniel 7:13-14). As the Son of Man, Jesus has authority to judge (John 5:27), authority over the Sabbath (Matthew 12:8), and power to forgive sins (Mark 2:10). Jesus used “Son of Man” to refer to Himself more than any other title in the gospels because it affirmed His humanity while also indicating His deity.
Jesus is the Lamb of God
When John the Baptist saw Jesus, he declared, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” (John 1:29). Jesus is likened to the Passover lamb that was sacrificed to save Israelites in Exodus 12. Similarly, Jesus’ death as the Lamb of God saves believers from God’s judgment against sin. He is the ultimate sacrifice that takes away sin once for all (Hebrews 9:11-14). As the spotless Lamb, Jesus’ blood redeems, justifies, and reconciles believers to God.
Jesus is the Second Adam
The Bible compares Jesus to Adam in that a single act of righteousness brings salvation just as a single act of unrighteousness brought condemnation and death (Romans 5:12-19). Through Adam’s disobedience, sin and death entered the world. But through Christ’s obedience, righteousness and life abound for all people. Jesus succeeded where Adam failed and through Him many are made righteous.
Jesus is the head of the church
The Bible calls Jesus the head of the church (Ephesians 1:22-23). He is the leader, ruler, and supreme authority over the church. Jesus is the chief shepherd who provides care for the flock (1 Peter 5:4). He intercedes for the church (Hebrews 7:25). Jesus governs, nourishes, and cherishes the church as His spiritual body in the world (Ephesians 5:23). He gives the church leadership through pastors and teachers to build up believers in unity and maturity (Ephesians 4:11-13).
Jesus is the image of God
Jesus perfectly displays the image and glory of God, being the “exact representation of his being” (Hebrews 1:3). He radiates the very essence of God, showing us who God is. While no one has ever seen God, when we look at Jesus, we see God revealed to us (John 14:9). Jesus reflects the light of God’s glory and bears the imprint of God’s nature in Himself (Hebrews 1:3). Through Christ’s incarnation, death, and resurrection, the divine image marred in us by sin is restored.
Jesus is our mediator
A mediator is one who intervenes between two parties to restore peace and unity. Jesus is the only mediator between God and humanity (1 Timothy 2:5). His sacrificial death on the cross tore down the dividing wall of hostility between us and God (Ephesians 2:14-16). Now through Jesus, we can come before the Father with boldness, confidence, and access (Ephesians 3:12). Jesus continues to mediate for us, interceding constantly on our behalf before God (Hebrews 7:25).
Jesus is our high priest
Unlike human priests of the old covenant, Jesus is sinless and blameless, able to represent us perfectly before God (Hebrews 7:26-28). He offered Himself as the ultimate sacrifice for sins once for all (Hebrews 10:12). Jesus sympathizes with our weakness, so we can approach Him to find grace and mercy (Hebrews 4:14-16). He lives forever to intercede for us, securing our salvation (Hebrews 7:24-25). Jesus is the greater high priest whose priesthood is permanent and unchangeable, able to save completely those who come to God through Him (Hebrews 7:24-25).
Jesus is the chief cornerstone
Jesus is the chief cornerstone of the church, meaning He is the fundamental basis upon which the church is built and upheld (Isaiah 28:16; 1 Peter 2:6-7). The cornerstone was essential for ensuring alignment in ancient structures. So Jesus as the cornerstone provides stability, alignment, and right foundations for a life with God. We are living stones built on Christ to become His spiritual house (Ephesians 2:19-22).
Jesus is the Good Shepherd
Jesus called Himself the Good Shepherd who watches over, leads, nurtures, comforts, provides, and sacrifices Himself for His flock (John 10:11). In contrast to bad shepherds who exploit the sheep, Jesus is the good shepherd who laid down His life for us (Ezekiel 34:2-6; John 10:11). He knows His sheep intimately and gives them eternal life (John 10:14-15). His voice leads to security, salvation, and satisfaction (John 10:4-5, 9).
Jesus is the true vine
Using the imagery of a vineyard, Jesus said He is the true vine and His Father is the gardener (John 15:1). As branches connected to the vine, Jesus’ followers must remain in Him to have life and bear fruit. He prunes and disciplines the branches that remain to make them more fruitful (John 15:2). Apart from Christ, we can do nothing (John 15:5). But if we remain in Him, we will experience fullness of joy (John 15:11).
Jesus is the way, truth, and life
Jesus declared, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6). He alone is the way to the Father because He alone paid for our sins through His death. Jesus is the truth because He perfectly revealed God. Jesus is the life because He conquered death. Only through faith in Christ do we gain access to the Father and receive eternal life. No one comes to the Father except through Jesus.
Jesus is Immanuel
The name Immanuel means “God with us” (Matthew 1:23). It signifies that Jesus is God in the flesh – God made incarnate as a man to dwell among us (John 1:14). Jesus is the ultimate manifestation of God’s presence. His coming fulfilled Isaiah’s prophecy of the Messiah’s birth (Isaiah 7:14). Jesus coming to earth showed that God has not abandoned or forgotten His people, but keeps His promises to be present with us.
This overview gives a sampling of the many identities and attributes of Jesus found in Scripture. We could also examine Jesus as teacher, prophet, healer, Servant, Light of the World, bridegroom, and more. The Bible reveals Jesus to be a multi-faceted person deserving of our worship, obedience, and adoration. I hope this summary provides a helpful glimpse into the greatness and glory found in Jesus Christ.