Christ

Christ is a title derived from the Greek Χριστός (Christos), meaning “anointed one.” It corresponds to the Hebrew term מָשִׁיחַ (māšîaḥ, Messiah), used in Jewish scriptures for an individual anointed as king or priest. In Jewish tradition the Messiah is a future, divinely sanctioned figure. In Christian usage, Christ refers to Jesus of Nazareth, whom Christians identify as the Messiah and the Son of God.

Early Christians used “Christ” to express that Jesus fulfilled Jewish messianic expectations. The New Testament presents Jesus as the anointed one sent by God, whose life, death, and believed resurrection are central to salvation. In Christian theology, “Christ” is often linked to the work of redemption and to Christological claims about Jesus’ nature, identity, and relationship to God the Father. The name “Jesus Christ” is commonly used to identify the historical figure and his function as savior.

Across Christian denominations, there are variations in how the Christ title is understood. Christology examines the nature of Christ as fully divine and fully human and the significance of his incarnation, crucifixion, and resurrection. The title also encompasses the Christian belief that Jesus was anointed by God to establish his kingdom and to mediate between God and humanity. The term is widely used in liturgy, creeds, art, and devotional expression.

Outside Christianity, the term is interpreted differently. In Islam, Jesus (Isa) is regarded as a prophet and messenger of God, not divine, and the concept of Jesus as the divine Son is rejected. In Judaism, the Messiah is anticipated as a future human leader rather than a divine figure, and is not identified with Jesus. In secular usage, “Christ” may appear in phrases such as “Christendom” or in cultural references without religious endorsement.