Jesus Christ has various names, some highlighting His deity and others His humanity. “Christ,” His official title, is the New Testament equivalent of the Old Testament “Messiah,” meaning “anointed one”. Peter’s confession in Matthew 16:16 affirms Jesus as the promised Messiah. The name “Christ” represents Jesus in His threefold office as prophet, priest, and king, all of whom were anointed in the Old Testament. Isaiah 61:1, Exodus 29:1-7, and 1 Samuel 16:13 illustrate this anointing. Jesus was a Prophet (Luke 24:19), is a Priest (Hebrews 4:14), and will be a King (Revelation 19:16).  

The title “Son of God” (Matt. 16:16) signifies Christ’s position in the Trinity and emphasizes His deity, a focal point in John’s Gospel. Even those opposing Jesus understood His claim to deity (Luke 22:70-71). In contrast, “Son of Man,” used about eighty times in the Gospels, is the title Jesus used for Himself, emphasizing His humiliation and is a theme in Luke’s Gospel.  

Other significant names include “God” (Heb. 1:8; John 1:1; Titus 2:13), affirming Christ’s divine nature, and “Lord” (Luke 6:46; John 20:28), highlighting His role as Master, King, and Ruler, demanding obedience and reverence, and equivalent to the Old Testament “God”. “Jesus” (Matt. 1:21), His personal human name, is the Greek form of the Hebrew “Joshua,” meaning “Savior” or “Salvation” (Acts 4:12). “Immanuel” (Isa. 7:14; Matt. 1:23) means “God with us,” and “Jesus of Nazareth” (Acts 2:22) identifies His connection to Nazareth. “The Man Christ Jesus” (1 Tim. 2:5) further emphasizes His humanity.