Greek · Strong's G5547
Χριστός
Christós (khrees-TOSS)
noun, masculine (title)
Anointed one — the Greek translation of Hebrew Mashiach (Messiah).
Christós is the Greek equivalent of Hebrew Mashiach, both meaning 'anointed one.' In the Old Testament prophets, priests, and kings were anointed with oil as a sign of being set apart for divine service. The prophets came to point forward to the Anointed One who would unite all three offices in himself.
When the New Testament writers call Jesus 'the Christ,' they are confessing him as the long-promised Messiah of Israel. By the time of Acts, the title was so attached to him that 'Christ' began to function almost as a name (Acts 11:26: 'the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch').
Common English renderings
- Christ
- Messiah
- Anointed
Key verses
"And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God."
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"He findeth first his own brother Simon, and saith unto him, We have found the Messiah (which is, being interpreted, Christ)."
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"but these are written, that ye may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye may have life in his name."
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"Let all the house of Israel therefore know assuredly, that God hath made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom ye crucified."
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"Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is begotten of God: and whosoever loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him."
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