Christological titles of Jesus

1. “Who Do You Say
That I Am”?
An Introduction to Christology

4. Who is Jesus?
 Jesus = First/Only Name (see Mark 1:9)
– Hebrew: Yeshua (= "Joshua")
– Greek: IHSOUS (IhsouV)
– Latin: Iesus
– English: Jesus (cf. Joshua)
– Note: "Christ" is a title, not his last name!
 Meaning: “God saves”
– Cf. Matt 1:21-25; Luke 1:31; 2:21
– Emmanuel = “God is with us”

5. Identifying People in NT Times
 By Place of Origin:
– Jesus of Nazareth / the Nazarene / the Galilean
 By Occupation:
– Jesus the Carpenter
 By Family Relations:
– Jesus, the son of Joseph / the carpenter’s son
– Jesus, the brother of James, Joses, Judas, Simon
– Jesus, the son of Mary (rare outside of NT)

6. Christological Titles (esp. in Mark)
 Messiah / Christ
 Son of God
 Son of Man
 Rabbi / Teacher
 Lord / LORD
 Prophet
 King of the Jews / King of Israel
 Lamb of God / Good Shepherd / etc.

7. Messiah / Christ
Heb. “Mashiah” = Gk. “Christos” = “Anointed”

8. Son of God
Divine Title?
My Beloved Son
The Holy One of God
Son of the Blessed One

9. Son of Man
“Bar Nasha” = Human One or Heavenly Judge?

10. Rabbi / Teacher
Common Title in Mark; Portrayal in Matthew

11. Lord / LORD
Kyrios = Lord/Sir/Master
LORD = YHWH = “I Am”

12. Prophet
Gk. pro-phemi = “to speak on behalf of (God)”

13. King of the Jews
I N R I = Iesus Nazarenos Rex Iudeorum

14. Lamb of God / Good Shepherd

15. Narrative Christology
 How is Jesus portrayed in Gospel stories?
– Beginnings
– Actions
 Teaching
 Miracles
– Interactions
– Endings
 What does each Evangelist emphasize?
– Mark? Matthew? Luke? John?

19. Summary: Who Is Jesus?
 Names vs. Titles vs. Actions?
– Naming people: by origin / occupation / family
– Identifying roles: Christological titles
– Portraying character: narrative emphases
 Various Christological Titles & Portraits:
– Some Emphasize Humanity?
– Some Emphasize Divinity?
– Some in the Gospel acc. to Mark?
– Others in Matthew, Luke, or John?
– Some in later NT books?
– Others not until post-NT writings?