Messiah
God’s promised, specially chosen rescuer and king, anticipated throughout the Old Testament.
A little more
“Messiah” means “anointed one” in Hebrew — someone specially chosen and equipped by God, historically through anointing with oil. Jewish expectation, shaped by Old Testament prophecy, looked for a coming figure who would rescue and restore God’s people, often expected as a political and military king.
Christians believe Jesus is this promised Messiah, but that he redefined what the role meant — a king who conquers through suffering, death and resurrection rather than through military force. This was a major reason many of Jesus’ contemporaries struggled to accept his claim.
Read it for yourself
- Isaiah 53:1-6A prophecy Christians see fulfilled in a suffering Messiah, quite different from expectations of a conquering king.