What Does the Bible Say About Jesus?

The Bible teaches that Jesus is the Son of God, the promised Messiah, and the one through whom salvation comes. According to Scripture, He came into the world to reveal God, to seek and save the lost, and to offer eternal life to those who believe in Him.

The Bible speaks more about Jesus than any other person in Scripture. From the promises found in the Old Testament to the testimony of the New Testament, the central message of the Bible ultimately points to Him.

For Christians, Jesus is not merely a teacher or historical figure. The Bible presents Him as the Messiah promised by God and the one through whom people come to know the Father.

To understand who Jesus is, it is helpful to look at what the Bible itself says.

Jesus Is the Promised Messiah

Long before the birth of Jesus, the Old Testament contains promises about a coming deliverer. These passages speak of a Messiah who would bring salvation and establish God’s kingdom.

Christians believe these promises are fulfilled in Jesus.

“For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder…”
Isaiah 9:6 (KJV)

The New Testament repeatedly connects the life of Jesus with these earlier promises. The Gospel writers show that the events surrounding His birth, life, and ministry correspond with what the Scriptures had already foretold.

Because of this, the message about Jesus is presented not as something entirely new, but as the fulfillment of what God had promised long before.

Jesus Is the Son of God

The Bible also describes Jesus in a unique way. While many people in Scripture are called servants of God or prophets, Jesus is presented as the Son of God.

At His baptism, a voice from heaven declares:

“This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”
Matthew 3:17 (KJV)

Throughout the New Testament, Jesus speaks with authority, performs works that reveal divine power, and teaches about God with a unique clarity.

These descriptions point to His special relationship with the Father and the role He holds within the message of the Bible.

Jesus Came to Reveal God

Another theme throughout the New Testament is that Jesus reveals the character of God.

“No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him.”
John 1:18 (KJV)

Through His teaching, actions, and life, Jesus shows what God is like. The compassion He shows toward the suffering, the authority with which He teaches, and the forgiveness He offers all reveal something about the nature of God.

For many readers of the Bible, the life of Jesus provides the clearest picture of God’s character.

Jesus Came to Save

The New Testament repeatedly explains that the mission of Jesus was connected to salvation.

“For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.”
Luke 19:10 (KJV)

According to the Bible, Jesus came into the world to address humanity’s deepest problem: separation from God because of sin.

His death and resurrection are presented as central to that mission. Through Him, forgiveness and reconciliation with God become possible.

Because of this, the message about Jesus is closely tied to the message of salvation found throughout the New Testament.

Jesus Rose From the Dead

The resurrection of Jesus stands at the center of the Christian message. The New Testament records that after His crucifixion, Jesus rose again.

“He is not here: for he is risen, as he said.”
Matthew 28:6 (KJV)

For the early Christians, the resurrection confirmed the truth of Jesus’ claims and the authority of His teaching.

Because of the resurrection, the message about Jesus spread rapidly throughout the ancient world. The apostles proclaimed that He was alive and that His kingdom had begun.

Jesus Calls People to Follow Him

The Bible also presents Jesus as someone who calls people into a new life.

Throughout the Gospels, He invites people with a simple command: follow me.

Following Jesus involves learning from His teaching, trusting Him, and allowing His words to shape one’s life. For Christians, faith in Jesus is not simply agreeing with certain ideas about Him, but entering into a relationship with Him.

This invitation to follow Christ remains central to the message of the Bible.

Jesus in the Whole Story of the Bible

From beginning to end, the Bible presents Jesus as central to its message. The Old Testament points forward to Him, and the New Testament explains His life, teaching, death, and resurrection.

Understanding who Jesus is requires reading the Scriptures carefully and considering the many passages that speak about Him.

This article provides a brief overview of what the Bible says about Jesus. A deeper exploration of the subject is presented in Jesus — According to the Bible, which examines the words and teachings of Jesus throughout the Gospels and explores how the Scriptures reveal His identity.

Read the Full Story

This article is adapted from the study Jesus — According to the Bible, a Scripture-first examination of what the Bible says about who Jesus is and why He came to earth.

Read the Complete Study

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