Jesus of Nazareth is one of the most influential figures in human history. He is the central figure of Christianity and is revered as the Son of God by Christians around the world. But Jesus was not actually named “Jesus Christ” during his lifetime. So why do we refer to him as Jesus Christ today?
The Name “Jesus”
The name “Jesus” is derived from the Hebrew name “Yeshua” or “Yehoshua.” It means “Yahweh is salvation.” This was a common name among Jews during the 1st century CE. Jesus was referred to as “Jesus of Nazareth” during his life to differentiate him from the many other men named Yeshua at the time. Nazareth was the town where Jesus grew up.
So “Jesus” was his given name, while “of Nazareth” indicated where he was from. The name “Jesus” highlighted that God was going to use him to bring salvation to the people. This is why the angel Gabriel told Mary to name her son Jesus, as he would “save his people from their sins” (Matthew 1:21). So “Jesus” was meant to signify his role as the Savior of humanity.
The Title “Christ”
Jesus was not called “Christ” as a name during his life. “Christ” is actually a title. It comes from the Greek word “christos,” which means “anointed one.” In Hebrew, the equivalent word is “messiah.” So “Jesus Christ” means “Jesus the Anointed One” or “Jesus the Messiah.”
In the Old Testament, kings, priests, and prophets were anointed with oil as a sign that they had been chosen by God. The “Messiah” referred to the future leader that God would send to deliver the Jewish people. By the time of Jesus, there was great anticipation and speculation about who this Messiah would be.
When Jesus began his public ministry around 30 CE, his followers came to believe he was this long-awaited Messiah. Jesus’ teachings, miracles, authority, and eventual resurrection convinced them that he was the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies about the Messiah. So they started referring to him as “Jesus the Messiah” or in Greek “Jesus the Christ.”
Evidence Jesus was Called “Christ” During his Ministry
There is some evidence within the Gospels that Jesus was called “the Christ” even during his earthly ministry:
- Peter declared to Jesus “You are the Christ” (Mark 8:29).
- Martha told Jesus “you are the Christ, the Son of God” (John 11:27).
- The high priest asked Jesus if he was “the Christ, the Son of the Blessed One” (Mark 14:61).
- Some in the crowds speculated if Jesus was “the Christ” (Luke 3:15).
So his followers had come to believe he was the promised Messiah even before his resurrection. Jesus accepted these declarations though he avoided making grand public proclamations about himself. But whether used during his life or not, “Christ” became the standard title applied to Jesus in the decades after his resurrection.
Use of “Jesus Christ” in the Epistles
The letters of the New Testament written after Jesus’ death universally refer to him as “Jesus Christ.” For example:
- Romans 1:1 – “Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus.”
- 1 Corinthians 1:1 – “Paul, called to be an apostle of Christ Jesus.”
- Philippians 1:1 – “Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus.”
- 1 Peter 1:1 – “Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ.”
This reflects that calling Jesus “the Christ” had become established Christian practice. As belief in him as the Messiah spread, labeling him “Jesus Christ” became the standard way of identifying him and distinguishing him from other Jesuses.
Adoption of “Jesus Christ” as a Set Name
By the 2nd century CE, referring to Jesus as “Jesus Christ” had become so normalized that it essentially functioned as his compound name. Some examples:
- The early Christian text the Epistle of Barnabas (circa 100 CE) opens “Barnabas, apostle of Jesus Christ.”
- Justin Martyr’s First Apology (circa 155 CE) refers repeatedly to “Jesus Christ our Savior.”
- The Church Father Irenaeus wrote Against Heresies (circa 180 CE) to refute unorthodox beliefs about “Jesus Christ.”
So by this time, “Jesus Christ” had become his established name alongside “Jesus of Nazareth.” Calling him “Jesus” or “Christ” alone was now incomplete. His full title tying his name and his role as the Christ together had been permanently fused.
Why Was the Title “Christ” So Significant?
Jesus being the prophesied Messiah or “Christ” was central to the new Christian faith. Here are some reasons the title was so meaningful:
- Fulfilled Jewish prophecies – Him being the Christ meant he was fulfilling the Old Testament prophecies about the coming deliverer.
- Validated his divinity – Christ/Messiah was understood to be divine, so the title affirmed his divine identity.
- Explained his mission – As the Messiah, his purpose was to redeem humanity from sin.
- Affirmed his authority – As the chosen one of God, he spoke and acted with God’s authority.
- Pointed to the kingdom – The Messiah would usher in the promised kingdom of God.
In short, calling Jesus “Christ” encapsulated his entire purpose and all Old Testament expectations. This is why it could not be separated from his name. It explained who he was and what he had come to accomplish.
Use of “Christ” on its Own
Despite becoming fixed together, “Christ” could still sometimes be used on its own as a name-substitute. For example:
- 1 Corinthians 15:12 – “How can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead?”
- 2 Timothy 2:8 – “Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, descended from David.”
- 1 Peter 4:1 – “Since Christ suffered in his body, arm yourselves with the same attitude.”
This shows “Christ” could function independently as a shorthand reference to Jesus. But it only worked contextually where the identity of “Christ” was already clearly established. The full “Jesus Christ” title was still necessary in most situations to identify him properly.
The Significance of “Jesus Christ” Today
Use of the combined name “Jesus Christ” continues to be the standard Christian practice. Saying “Jesus” on its own is considered incomplete. The title “Christ” retains all its significance for who Jesus was and is. Some key meanings the name “Jesus Christ” holds for Christians today include:
- Savior – Jesus Christ is our Savior who redeems us from sin through his death.
- Lord – Christ is the Lord and master we submit our lives to.
- Divine – Jesus Christ is the divine Son of God who reveals God to us.
- Authority – Christ teaches, commands, and heals with God’s authority.
- Fulfillment – Jesus is the fulfillment of Old Testament Messianic prophecies.
So in short, “Christ” remains a loaded term conveying Jesus’ divinity, mission, authority, and redemptive work. Removing it from his name would lose a crucial aspect of his identity and purpose.
Conclusion
Jesus was not called “Jesus Christ” during his lifetime. “Jesus” was his given name while “Christ” is a title meaning “anointed one.” But after his resurrection, his followers began routinely calling him “Jesus Christ” to identify him as the promised Messiah. By the 2nd century CE, this had developed into a fixed compound name. Use of the full “Jesus Christ” title affirmed his divine identity, mission, and fulfillment of prophecy for early Christians. Calling him simply “Jesus” was seen as incomplete. The name “Jesus Christ” succinctly expresses his nature and role as the Savior. So while not his original name, “Jesus Christ” has become his established compound name and titles that encapsulates his identity and purpose.
