Who Was Jesus? “All things must be fulfilled which were written in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms concerning Me.” Luke 24:44

1. God’s Servant - v. 13 This would have taken the Jewish mind back to the suffering servant of Isaiah 52:13-53:12. Jesus is this Servant (Acts 4:27, 30).

2. The Holy One - v. 14 Similar titles are given to Aaron the High Priest (Ps. 106:16), and to the prophet Elisha (2 Kings 4:9). This designation is used in a messianic context in Psalm 16:10. “For You will not leave my soul in Sheol, nor will You allow Your Holy One to see corruption.” The demons addressed Jesus as the “Holy One of God” (Mark 1:24).

3. The Just/Righteous One - v. 14 The Messiah was to be God’s “righteous Servant” (Is. 53:11). He was a “Branch of righteousness” (Jer. 23:5; 33:15).

4. The Prince of Life - v. 15 The Greek word translated “prince” can mean originator or author (ESV). As deity, Jesus is the source, originator, or author of life. John 1:4; 11:25-26; 14:6

5. The Christ - v. 18 The Greek word christos (Christ) is the counterpart to the Hebrew word for Messiah (John 4:25). These words literally mean “anointed one.”

5. The Christ - v. 18 Psalms 2 speaks of an “Anointed One” in the singular tense. “In Jewish thought, the Messiah would be the king of the Jews, a political leader who would defeat their enemies and bring in a golden era of peace and prosperity” (Nelson’s Bible Dictionary). They believed the Christ would live and rule forever (Is. 9:6-7; John 12:34). The Jews anticipated the Christ, His deliverance and His reign (John 1:20, 41).

5. The Christ - v. 18 Jesus’ death on the cross was so contrary to this expectation that His followers were dismayed and perplexed. Teaching had to be done on why the Christ had to suffer (Luke 24:19-21, 25-27, 45-46; Acts 3:18; 17:2-3; 26:22-23). The deliverance made possible by the Christ was not physical or political, but spiritual (Acts 4:18-21).

6. The Prophet - vs. 22-23 Deuteronomy 18:15-19 The Jews looked for this prophet (John 1:21, 6:14), but they did not connect Him with the Messiah. Jesus is the Son, the Servant, and the Prophet (Matt. 17:4-5).

7. The Seed Promise - vs. 24-26 The Jews saw themselves, as a nation, being the fulfillment of the third promise that God made to Abraham (Gen. 12:3). Paul clarifies this misunderstanding (Gal. 3:16). Jesus is the Seed. The salvation He offers to the entire world is the fulfillment of this promise.

Who Was Jesus? Acts 3:11-26 The Servant of Isaiah 52:13-53:12 The Holy One of Psalm 16:10 The Righteous One of Isaiah 53:11 The Prince or Author of Life (John 1:4) The Anointed One (Christ) of Psalm 2:2 The Prophet of Deuteronomy 18:15-19 The Seed Promise of Genesis 12:3