Christ
Culture & SocietyWhat is the meaning of Christ in the Bible?
Christ is the Greek translation of the Hebrew term Mashiach, meaning 'Anointed One,' and appears 514 times in the New Testament as a title for Jesus of Nazareth.
SIGNIFICANCE
Recognizing this title clarifies the Jewish expectation of a leader consecrated as prophet, priest, or king, thereby illuminating the identity and mission attributed to Jesus in early Christian texts.
Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide
Ancient Cultural Lens: Avoid applying 21st-century Western assumptions to Christ. Examine how first-century or Near Eastern listeners understood this practice within their daily social dynamics.
Bible Study Reflection Prompts:
- Why did the biblical author mention Christ in this passage?
- What cultural or historical assumption does Christ clarify?
Source Attribution
Built upon the 1915 International Standard Bible Encyclopedia and Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897). Entries have been modernized, checked for academic truthfulness, and shortened for clarity.
How to Cite This Entry
"Christ." Ancient Context Dictionary. Accessed 2026. https://ancientcontext.com/context/christ/