Hypocrites. Brood of vipers. Whitewashed tombs full of dead men’s bones. A blunt public statement of, “You are wrong, because you know neither the Scriptures nor the power of God” (Matthew 22:29 ESV).

These are the very phrases Jesus used when confronting opposition from Pharisees and Sadducees—two prominent groups of Jewish religious leaders.

What could have prompted Jesus Christ, the Son of God, to address them in these ways?

First, let’s note that not all of these first-century religious leaders were hostile to Jesus. Some had more positive, constructive interactions with Him, and some became His followers and defenders.¹

But interestingly enough, of all the people who publicly conflicted with Jesus’s teachings or methods, almost all of them were not “common” people but those who were supposed to be respected spiritual leaders.

These leaders had a different view of what the Messiah should be like. And they were suspicious (and jealous) of Jesus’ popularity and the way He spoke with divine authority.

(Not to mention that His teachings tended to contradict many of their legalistic beliefs and practices.)

So they tried everything to entrap Him in His words, hoping for an opportunity to discredit Him or get rid of Him somehow.

Eventually, they would take part in having Him crucified.

So it makes sense that Jesus’ strongest words were reserved for their outright hypocrisy. They were people with great spiritual influence, yet they opposed His character and mission.

But what led up to all this? What kinds of religious beliefs or traditions did Jesus challenge?

Let’s get to know the Pharisees and Sadducees a bit better.

• Who the Pharisees and Sadducees were
• What Jesus’ relationship with them was like
• Lessons we can learn from Jesus’ interactions with them

We’ll start with what defined these two groups of religious leaders.

Who were the Pharisees and Sadducees?

The Pharisees and Sadducees were two distinct groups of Jewish religious leaders during the time of Jesus’s earthly ministry.

Both groups were part of the Sanhedrin, or the supreme council of the Jews in Jerusalem.² And ultimately, they had a shared key motive—the restoration of Israel.

But their similarities don’t go much further than that. They typically considered each other to be rivals.³

Pharisees

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The Pharisees came from among the common people. They focused on obedience to every aspect of the law of Moses.⁴

Perhaps they hoped that by their efforts—whether in keeping the law to perfection or leveraging their political connections—they could usher in the national greatness their ancestors had lost by straying from God’s guidance (as described in the Hebrew Scriptures).

The Pharisees existed from about 515 BC to AD 90.⁵ They were “a group of mostly lay, not priestly, members that focused upon interpreting the law—both written and oral.”⁶ (The apostle Paul was also a Pharisee, according to Acts 23:6.)

The Hebrew word for Pharisee means “separate ones,” and this aptly describes what they attempted to do: separate themselves from anything that could make them ritually impure or disobedient to God.⁷

At the time, the Jewish people had the written law—the first five books of Moses, also called the Torah (or the Pentateuch in Greek).

The oral law was separate from the written law. This “tradition of the elders” comes from the Greek word paradosis and refers to “the massive body of oral, rabbinical regulations that had grown up around the Torah.”⁸

It contained instructions and guidance that the Jewish leaders added over time to help them keep the written law.

And the Pharisees believed in upholding both the written law and the oral law.⁹

But despite these very formal, legalistic methods, the Pharisees were more popular among the Jews than the wealthy Sadducees because they lived among common people and related better to them.

Sadducees

The Sadducees, on the other hand, were wealthy, “upper-class aristocrats”¹⁰ and emphasized political matters. The word “Sadducee” is thought to be derived from Zadok, the first high priest of Solomon’s temple, with the root form of the word meaning, “to be right, just.”¹¹

So while the Pharisees represented the laity and focused heavily on day-to-day obedience to the law of Moses, the Sadducees occupied most of the positions of the Jewish priesthood, as well as the majority of seats in the Sanhedrin.¹² The high priest during Jesus’ ministry, Caiaphas, was a Sadducee.¹³

Even with this level of authority and influence, however, there were much fewer Sadducees than Pharisees.¹⁴ But they had significant political sway and maintained good relations with the Roman rulers of Palestine.¹⁵

And when it came to spiritual matters, while the Pharisees considered the oral law to be equal in authority to the written law (Torah), the Sadducees held only to the written law.

Because of this, they also upheld a literal interpretation of the more harsh practices of early Israel, such as frequent use of the death penalty and what is commonly referred to today as the “eye for an eye, tooth for a tooth” principle.¹⁶ They also oversaw temple proceedings and placed high importance on temple rituals as a means of purity.¹⁷

Despite a more fundamentalist approach to Scripture, however, Sadducees held some unique beliefs that conflicted with the Torah, such as:¹⁸

1) Claiming that God had little, if any, involvement with people on a personal level

2) Denying the existence of spirits, such as angels or demons (Acts 23:8)

3) Denying any kind of a resurrection or afterlife (a point they even questioned Jesus about in Matthew 22:23-33)

So the Sadducees were focused on the here and now. They wanted to preserve their heritage and keep their positions of power, having little interest in serving others.

These beliefs clashed with those of the Pharisees, who regarded God as a strict, intensely involved eternal father who expected perfection.

Despite these differences, though, neither group agreed with Jesus.

Like most Jews during their time, both these groups had expected a Messiah who would bring earthly power, allowing them to conquer the Romans. They saw this as how they could reclaim their former freedom and influence as a proud, set-apart nation, favored by God.

So when Jesus gained a sizable following while preaching an inclusive, service-oriented kingdom of heaven, this threatened the authority of both groups.

What was Jesus’ relationship to the Pharisees and Sadducees?

The Pharisees’ and Sadducees’ relationship with Jesus was one of conflict and friction. Their pride, hypocrisy, and thirst for power and influence had blinded them to who Jesus was—the Son of God. So instead of receiving Him as the prophesied Messiah of the Scriptures, they denied His divinity and did everything possible to discourage the people from following Him.

In the Bible, most of Jesus’ interactions were with the Pharisees, since they more commonly crossed paths with the laity and had more opportunities to interact with Him or His followers.

The Pharisees’ pride led them to critique His every move. They thought that if they could trip up His words, they could arrest Him and discredit Him in the eyes of the people (Matthew 22:15).

They also publicly questioned His authority, asking Him repeatedly for signs—even though He’d already given them many indications of who He was (Matthew 21:23; Mark 8:11-12).

They even went so far as to plot His death after His incredible miracle of raising Lazarus from the dead (John 11:45-53). And they would eventually get what they wanted: Jesus’ arrest and death (John 18:3)

But what led them to that point?

Let’s look at some key interactions Jesus had with these religious leaders. In them, we’ll see some of the biggest differences they had with Jesus and why they sought to kill him.

(See the box below for a full list of these interactions.)

Eating with sinners and tax collectors (Matthew 9:10-13; Mark 2:16-17; Luke 5:30-32)

Photo by iMattSmart on Unsplash

“Why does your Teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?” the Pharisees asked the disciples (Matthew 9:11, NKJV). The question itself shows their prejudice.

Tax collectors were widely shunned among the Jews because they worked for the Roman government and were also known to charge people more than necessary so they could make a profit. The religious leaders likely saw this profession as a betrayal of loyalty to the nation of Israel.

And the other label the Pharisees use is “sinners.” This likely meant people whose struggles with sin were more obvious, those who might be ceremonially unclean, or those who simply didn’t follow all the rigorous rituals and laws and thus weren’t “righteous” like they considered themselves to be.

Jesus, though, had come to save sinners (Jews and Gentiles—i.e., everyone) and reveal the heart of God to them. He responded to the Pharisees with a quote from the Old Testament Scriptures—something they should have known:

“It is not those who are well who need a doctor, but those who are sick. Go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy and not sacrifice.’ For I didn’t come to call the righteous, but sinners” (Matthew 9:12-13, CSB).

Jesus didn’t subscribe to human laws or rituals that pushed people aside. He saw beyond people’s sin and came to bring hope and healing to broken hearts.

Accusations of Sabbath breaking (Matthew 12:1-14; Mark 2:23-28, 3:1-6; Luke 6:1-11)

In this situation, the Pharisees accused Jesus of breaking the Sabbath in two ways:

1. Allowing His disciples to pick and eat handfuls of grain to satisfy their hunger
2. Healing someone with a withered hand

In both cases, the Pharisees were setting up their human traditions as the standard of behavior. They categorized these two acts as “work,” thus breaking the command not to work on Sabbath—even though these acts had nothing to do with their professions or economic gain.

This shows how the Pharisees missed the true purpose of the Sabbath: rest, connection with God, and blessing others.

Jesus wasn’t there to break the Sabbath. Instead, He proclaimed Himself, the Son of Man, as the Lord of the Sabbath (Mark 2:28) and showed what it truly meant to keep it. Adventist scholars note the following about Jesus:

“Throughout His ministry on earth Christ was in conflict with the Jewish leaders over the validity of man-made laws and traditions.”¹⁹

In this story, Jesus challenged the Pharisees:

“Is it lawful on the Sabbath to do good or to do evil, to save life or to kill?” (Mark 3:4, NKJV)

But they refused to answer Him and went out to plot His death (verse 6).

Blasphemy against the Holy Spirit (Matthew 12:22-45)

Jesus had just healed someone possessed by a demon—something that should have been cause for rejoicing.

And it was for some. Many who had witnessed the miracle were eagerly inquiring whether Jesus was the Son of David—the Messiah.

As if to shift the attention away from the miracle and blunt its impact, the Pharisees suddenly accused Jesus of casting the demon out “by Beelzebub, the prince of demons” (Matthew 12:24, NKJV).

This was contradictory, and Jesus pointed it out. How could He set someone free from Satan’s power by the same power? It didn’t make sense.

Jesus went on to warn the Pharisees of blasphemy against the Holy Spirit (verse 31). In other words, by ignoring the conviction that Jesus was God, they were in danger of rejecting the Holy Spirit’s voice in their hearts.

Even as they hardened their hearts against Him, Jesus was still trying to show the Pharisees their deep need for salvation and His willingness to save them.

Ritual purity or inner purity (Matthew 15:1-20; Mark 7:1-23)

Photo by George Becker

The Pharisees were hyperfocused on following the oral law—the traditions passed down from one generation of Jews to another. These laws expanded on the law God gave to Moses, and they were the Pharisees’ way of being extra sure they weren’t breaking God’s law. They were considered “a fence around the Torah.”²⁰

Think of a building with a restricted area, and the rules state that anyone who enters it is forced to leave the building. But to be extra safe, building management also makes the room next to it restricted as well. That might sound harmless or even smart, but it becomes a problem if someone receives the same punishment for entering that room instead of actually entering the restricted area. That would mean that the “just in case” instruction the management came up with was treated as if it had the same authority as the building’s official, original rule.

As for the oral laws the Pharisees followed, one in particular had to do with ritual hand washing. When Jesus’ disciples didn’t follow this tradition, the Pharisees were quick to protest:

“Why do Your disciples transgress the tradition of the elders? For they do not wash their hands when they eat bread” (Matthew 15:2, NKJV).

Jesus got right to the heart of the matter in His response:

“Why do you also transgress the commandment of God because of your tradition?” (Matthew 15:3, NKJV)

Then He gave an example of how they’d done this.

“Corban” was a practice among the Jews during that time that allowed someone to neglect caring for their elderly mother and father if that person chose to devote their land and money as a gift to God.²¹

The Pharisees encouraged people to make these kinds of gifts to God because they benefited the religious leaders.

The motive was money.

Jesus explained that the motives of the heart—including greed and covetousness—are what make someone impure, not failure to follow ritual hand washing (Matthew 15:19-20).

Woes on the Pharisees (Matthew 23; Luke 11:37-54)

Matthew 23 contains one of Jesus’ longest rebukes of the Pharisees. It consists of eight “woes” that point out and give examples of their hypocrisy, greed, and pride.

In summary, He denounced them for:

1. Hindering people from experiencing the kingdom of God
2. Making long prayers but neglecting to care for those in need
3. Trying to convert people into their selfish, prideful, hypocritical ways
4. Becoming so particular about making an oath rather than focusing on the importance of keeping the oath²²
5. Focusing on minute details of the law while ignoring justice, mercy, and faithfulness
6. Presenting a holy exterior while being full of greed and self-indulgence.
7. Appearing righteous on the outside but being impure of heart
8. Revering the prophets of the past while persecuting those who served God in the present

Though Jesus no doubt wanted to awaken the Pharisees to their condition, scholars also believe He denounced them for the sake of the people listening.

He wanted to “break the chains that bound the people to tradition and those who perpetuated it.”²³

Rebuke to Simon the Pharisee (Luke 7:36-50)

Simon was actually one of the Pharisees who wasn’t hostile toward Jesus and even invited Him to eat at his house. But in this situation, Jesus had to call out a serious issue that Simon and others in attendance needed to learn from.

While at Simon’s house, a woman, whom the account tells us was “a sinner,” came up to Jesus while He was at the table and, in an act of sacrificial love, anointed His feet with fragrant—and pricey—oil (Luke 7:37-38, ESV).

Here’s how Simon reacted:

“Now when the Pharisee who invited Him saw this, he said to himself, ‘If this man [Jesus] were a prophet, He would have known who and what sort of woman this is who is touching Him, for she is a sinner” (verse 39, ESV).

His comment revealed His pharisaical mindset. “Sinners” were to be avoided.

Ironically, Jesus knew who the woman was, and He knew what Simon was saying to himself. So He told Simon a parable:

“There was a certain creditor who had two debtors. One owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. And when they had nothing with which to repay, he freely forgave them both. Tell Me, therefore, which of them will love him more?” (verses 41-42, NKJV)

Simon correctly responded that the one who’d been forgiven more would love more.

Then Jesus drove the point home:

“Do you see this woman? I entered your house; you gave Me no water for My feet, but she has washed My feet with her tears and wiped them with the hair of her head. You gave Me no kiss, but this woman has not ceased to kiss My feet since the time I came in. You did not anoint My head with oil, but this woman has anointed My feet with fragrant oil. Therefore I say to you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven, for she loved much. But to whom little is forgiven, the same loves little” (verses 44-47, NKJV).

Did Simon receive the rebuke?

Or did he harden his heart to Jesus’ teachings the way the other Pharisees did? The Bible doesn’t record what happened in Simon’s life after this moment.

But it does tell us about one Pharisee who allowed the Gospel to change him.

A night meeting with Nicodemus (John 3:1-21; 7:50-51)

Photo by Min An

Nicodemus was a Pharisee and a ruler of the Jews who had come to believe Jesus was a teacher from God (John 3:1)

Intrigued, he wanted to talk with Jesus. But perhaps out of fear that others would know, he went to Him at night, under cover of darkness.

In their conversation, we see Nicodemus wrestling with his need for salvation.

After all, the Pharisees believed they had it all together. They were saved.

But Jesus turned that upside down and showed Nicodemus the heart change that was necessary to understand God’s character and the kingdom of heaven:

“Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God” (John 3:3, NKJV).

In this conversation, Jesus also shared some of the most precious truths in the Word of God. Bible verses that are very familiar to us today:

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved” (John 3:16-17, NKJV).

John 3 doesn’t tell us the conclusion of the conversation. It leaves us wondering whether Nicodemus chose to believe in Jesus or not.

But later, we’re let in on more of the story.

During a meeting of the chief priests and Pharisees who wanted to kill Jesus, Nicodemus defended Him before the Sanhedrin (John 7:50-51). And after His crucifixion, he showed himself a follower of Jesus by helping to respectfully bury His body (John 19:39).

Nicodemus was one Pharisee who chose to let go of his pride, choosing to follow Jesus even if it cost him.

What are lessons we can learn from Jesus’ interactions with the Pharisees and Sadducees?

Jesus’ interactions with the Pharisees and Sadducees teach us a lot about the reality of following God in a world hostile to Him and His principles.

The Pharisees and Sadducees longed for the Messiah they’d created in their minds. They wanted someone who would free them from oppression and support their hunger for wealth and power.

But Jesus didn’t do so.

He came to break people free from much more than that—the chains of selfishness, pride, corruption, greed, etc.

When the Pharisees realized that He wasn’t someone who would free them from Roman rule, they were unwilling to acknowledge that the Messiah might be different from what they expected. They allowed pride to get in the way, leading them to persecute Jesus through their words and actions.

Here are some takeaways we can gather from their stories.

The reality of persecution

Photo by Keira Burton

Jesus experienced persecution throughout His life and ministry because He lived His life so differently from those around Him.

His principles of self-sacrificing love and true justice, and His full confidence in His Father, angered those who were seeking gain for themselves or prioritizing the systems that benefited them.

Jesus Himself said,

“If the world hates you, understand that it hated Me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own. However, because you are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of it, the world hates you” (John 15:18-19, CSB).

Similarly, when we as Christians choose to live for principles that are different from the world around us, we will face opposition. Opposition from society, co-workers, friends, and sometimes even family.

But we can take courage that Jesus experienced it before us and will strengthen us to go through it (John 16:33).

Handling opposition with love

When confronted by the Pharisees who were trying to entrap Him at every turn, Jesus didn’t retaliate. Yes, at times, He spoke some strong words to them (after all, He is God, and they were grossly misrepresenting Him), but He didn’t try to argue, prove Himself, or defend Himself to them.

When they would ask Him for a sign, He wouldn’t take the bait. Instead, He would often ask them a core question that revealed the state of their faith (Matthew 16:1-4; Mark 11:27-33). He didn’t enter into their mind games.

Likewise, when we face opposition, silence is often the best answer, rather than trying to justify ourselves. And we can also remember that if there is something we’re supposed to say, Jesus promised that the Holy Spirit will give us those words:

“Whenever they bring you before synagogues and rulers and authorities, don’t worry about how you should defend yourselves or what you should say. For the Holy Spirit will teach you at that very hour what must be said” (Luke 12:11-12, CSB).

Danger of pride and self-importance

Pride and self-importance can lead us to categorize ourselves apart from others while also relying on our own efforts for achievement, salvation, contentment, etc. And if we feel like there isn’t anything more we need to learn or that we never need any help, that often blinds us to the truths right in front of us.

This was the downfall of many of the Pharisees and Sadducees.

When Jesus spoke to these religious leaders of His mission to set people free, they were quick to react:

“We are Abraham’s descendants, and have never been in bondage to anyone. How can You say, ‘You will be made free’?” (John 8:33, NKJV).

Their pride closed them off from receiving what Jesus offered. Likewise, when we feel that we have everything together or that we don’t need to learn anything, we may be closing ourselves off to what God wants to do in our lives.

The Pharisees’ example serves as a warning and reminder to keep a tender, open heart toward God. And the Bible promises us:

“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled” (Matthew 5:6, NKJV).

Meeting people where they’re at

Jesus knew how to approach people. He knew when He needed to be firm and straightforward with the hardhearted Pharisees, even to the point of rebuking them publicly. And He also knew when someone was sincerely seeking, as in the case of Nicodemus.

A survey of the Gospel accounts reveals that Jesus was never harsh to anyone who came to Him in desperation or brokenness. He knew they needed tenderness and care, and that’s exactly what He gave them.

His way of approaching people reminds us that different people need different approaches. Yes, there may be a time when you have to be firm with someone who is pushing boundaries or causing harm to others, and something needs to be stopped immediately. And at other times, someone who has made mistakes may need your kindness and encouragement.

And if we’re ever not sure which approach to take, we can ask God for His Holy Spirit to help discern what is best in each situation (Luke 11:13).

The Pharisees and Sadducees’ missed opportunities

The Pharisees and Sadducees were quite different from one another—one group cared about adherence to the oral law, while the other cared about secular and political activities.

But they were united in their desire for influence, power, and authority. And their collective pride caused them to oppose Jesus.

They didn’t understand His ways of self-sacrifice, humility, and mercy.

And their anger would lead them to call for His execution.

Yet, Jesus still wanted to reach them, still desired to show love to them—as we see in the example of Simon or Nicodemus.

Jesus gave the Pharisees and Sadducees many opportunities. And He does the same for each one of us.

Jesus’ Interactions with the Pharisees and Sadducees

Most of Jesus’ interactions were with the Pharisees, who were more present in day-to-day life while the Sadducees tended to separate themselves from the laity. Passages that included the Sadducees are noted.

• Matthew 9:10-13; Mark 2:15-17; Luke 5:30-32
• Matthew 9:32-34
• Matthew 12:1-14; Mark 2:23-28, 3:1-6; Luke 6:1-11
• Matthew 12:22-45
• Matthew 15:1-20; Mark 7:1-23
• Matthew 16:1-4; Mark 8:11-12 (Pharisees and Sadducees together)
• Matthew 19:3-12; Mark 10:2-9
• Matthew 21:23-46; Mark 11:27-33; 12:1-12 (“Chief priests and elders” include Sadducees)
• Matthew 22:1-14
• Matthew 22:15-22; Mark 12:13-17
• Matthew 22:23-33; Mark 12:18-27 (Sadducees)
• Matthew 22:34-46; Mark 12:28-37
• Matthew 23
• Luke 5:17-26
• Luke 5:33-39
• Luke 7:36-50
• Luke 13:31-33
• Luke 14:1-24
• Luke 15
• Luke 16:14-18
• Luke 17:20-37
• Luke 19:37-40
• John 3:1-12
• John 8:3-20
• John 9:35-41

1. To name a few: Nicodemus (John 3:1-21; 7:50-51; 19:39); Joseph of Arimathea (Luke 23:50-51; John 19:38-42); and Paul, a former Pharisee (Acts 23:6). [↵]
2. “Sanhedrin,” Britannica. (1954), p. 679. [↵]
3. “Sadducees,” Britannica. [↵]
4. “Pharisee,” Britannica. [↵]
5. Ibid. [↵]
6. Klingbeil, Gerald, “Religious Groups in First-Century A.D. Palestine,” Adventist World, April 2015, pp. 16-19. [↵]
7. Horn, Siegfried, Seventh-day Adventist Bible Dictionary, p. 872-873. [↵]
8. Ibid., p. 622. [↵]
9. Ibid. [↵]
10. “Sadducees,” World History Encyclopedia. [↵]
11. Ibid. [↵]
12. Seventh-day Adventist Bible Dictionary, p. 872-873. [↵]
13. “Caiaphas,” New World Encyclopedia. [↵]
14. Klingbeil, “Religious Groups in First-Century A.D. Palestine,” [↵]
15. “Sadducees,” Britannica. [↵]
16. Ibid. [↵]
17. “Sadducees,” World History Encyclopedia. [↵]
18. Seventh-day Adventist Bible Dictionary., pp. 874, 967 [↵]
19. Nichol, F.D., Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, vol. 5, p. 586. [↵]
20. “Pirkei Avot 1”, Mishnah, translated by Dr. Joshua Kulp, Sefaria, https://www.sefaria.org/Pirkei_Avot.1.1?lang=bi [↵]
21. The Pulpit Commentary, comments on Mark 7:11, Bible Hub. [↵]
22. Nichol, p. 338. [↵]
23. Ibid., p. 486 [↵]

More Answers

The Bible includes a lot of names for Jesus, and they all reveal different facets of His identity, power, character, and mission.

We’ve all had nicknames throughout our lives. They might be shortened versions of our real names, terms of endearment, or something related to a memory. They are often expressions of love.

And so it is with Jesus. His names are expressions of His love, so to understand them, we need to look at them through a lens of love because “God is love” (1 John 4:8, ESV).¹

Let’s go through them and see what we learn.

• A summary of His names
• A closer look at:
  • Prince of Peace
  • Immanuel
  • Son of David/Son of Man
  • I AM
  • King of kings and Lord of lords
  • The Last/Second Adam
  • Lion of Judah
  • Lamb of God
  • Alpha and Omega
• What we can learn from the names of Jesus

Let’s begin with an overview of all His names, then we’ll look at some of them in further depth.

A quick summary of the names of Jesus

Photo by Tara Winstead

It can help us understand the different names of Jesus to list them in a timeline for when they were used. It helps us realize the proper context for the names we’ll look at more closely.

In the Old Testament, Jesus is called (references are from ESV unless otherwise noted):

• Son of Man (Daniel 7:13-14)
• Mighty God (Isaiah 9:6)
• The Branch (Jeremiah 23:5; Zechariah 3:8²)
• The Lord Our Righteousness (Jeremiah 23:6 NKJV)
• Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6)
• Wonderful Counselor (Isaiah 9:6)
• Immanuel (Isaiah 7:14)
• Everlasting Father (Isaiah 9:6)
• Sun of Righteousness (Malachi 4:2)
• Michael (Daniel 10:21; 12:1)
• Shiloh (Genesis 49:10 NKJV)

These names, spoken by prophets in the Old Testament, pointed to a Savior that would restore the hope of salvation to a fallen humanity.

In the Gospel accounts (Matthew, Mark, Luke and John), Jesus is called:

• Son of God (Matthew 16:16)
• Beloved Son (Luke 9:35, NKJV)
• Son of the Most High (Luke 1:32)
• Only Begotten Son (John 3:16, NKJV)
• Son of Man (Matthew 26:64; Luke 5:24³)
• Son of the Blessed (Mark 14:61)
• Lamb of God (John 1:29)
• Christ (Matthew 1:16)
• Messiah (John 4:25)
• Son of David (Matthew 1:1; 9:27⁴)
• King of the Jews (Matthew 2:2; 27:11⁵)
• Lord (John 21:7)
• Teacher or Rabbi (John 13:13, 20:16)
• Prophet (Matthew 21:11; John 7:40)
• Good Shepherd (John 10:11)
• Bread of Life (John 6:35, 48)
• Immanuel (Matthew 1:23)
• The Holy One (Mark 1:24; Luke 4:34)
• I AM (John 8:58)
• The Word (John 1:1)
• Light of the World (John 8:12; 9:5)

These names confirmed that Jesus was the Savior the Old Testament prophets spoke of. And they highlighted important aspects of His mission on Earth.

Later in the New Testament (Acts-Jude), Jesus is called:

• Prince of Life (Acts 3:15, NKJV)
• Passover Lamb (1 Corinthians 5:7)
• King of kings (1 Timothy 6:15)
• Lord of lords (1 Timothy 6:15)
• The Just One or the Just (Acts 3:14, NKJV; 7:52 NKJV⁶)
• The Apostle (Hebrews 3:1, NKJV)
• Deliverer (Romans 11:26)
• Good Shepherd (Hebrews 13:20; 1 Peter 2:25⁷)
• The Holy One (Acts 3:14, 13:35)
• High Priest (Hebrews 3:1, NKJV)
• The Last Adam (1 Corinthians 15:45)
• The Second Adam (1 Corinthians 15:45-47)
• Michael (Jude 1:9)

These names highlight key aspects of His character as well as His role in the Trinity.

And lastly, in Revelation, Jesus is referred to as:

• Lion of Judah (Revelation 5:5)
• Alpha and Omega (Revelation 1:8⁸)
• King of kings (Revelation 17:14; 19:16)
• Lord of lords (Revelation 17:14; 19:16)
• Lamb of God (Revelation 5:8⁹)
• King of Saints (Revelation 15:3, NKJV)
• The Amen (Revelation 3:14)
• Bright and Morning Star (Revelation 22:16, NKJV)
• The Word (Revelation 19:13)

These names look to a future when Jesus will return, defeat the devil, and once and for all be with His people (us!) in a fully-restored relationship in Heaven.

Now let’s look more closely at some of these names to better understand Jesus’ identity, character and mission.

Prince of Peace

Photo by Markus Spiske on Unsplash

Jesus as Prince of Peace reveals two important aspects of His identity: His royal status and His peaceful essence.

King David was a royal ancestor of the Isrealites, and Old Testament prophets predicted that the coming Messiah, or Savior, would come from his bloodline (2 Samuel 7:12-16, Isaiah 9:7) . Calling Jesus “prince” solidifies this royal part of His identity (more on that when we discuss Son of David).

The word “prince” also means “a son of the sovereign.”¹⁰ When we think of God the Father as being sovereign, it’s fitting to call Jesus, the Son of God, Prince.

Peace refers to the profoundly peaceful nature of Jesus (Philippians 4:7). His very existence and presence on earth meant He brought peace to a world full of conflict and trouble (John 14:27).

Because He is the Prince of Peace, this also suggests He is the authority of peace; He brings peace but also maintains peace. “Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection are seen as the ultimate fulfillment of this peace, reconciling humanity to God and offering inner peace to believers.”¹¹

Remember, the very essence of God is love, and 1 John 4:18 says that “There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear” (ESV). In Christ, we do not have to fear anything, and a life without fear is a life of perfect peace.

In Jesus, peace descended from heaven in the flesh to dwell among us, as we’ll discover with the next name of Jesus.

Immanuel

The Hebrew word Immanuel literally means “God with us”¹² (Matthew 1:23). (“Emmanuel” is the Greek translation of Immanuel, but it means the same thing.) It partly points to a physical presence of God with us on earth. Immanuel identifies Jesus as part of the Trinity (God the Son) that came to live among us and take part in our humanity.

Also, since sin entered the world through a human (Adam) and separated us from God, it would be another human (Jesus) who would reconcile that relationship. “God with us” means that Jesus is the way back to a restored relationship with God.

The prophet Isaiah predicted that Immanuel would come from a virgin, which mirrored the circumstances surrounding Jesus’ birth. These miraculous circumstances were to act as a sign that the son she had would be the Messiah (Isaiah 7:14).

Not only were the circumstances surrounding Jesus’ birth a sign of who He was, his lineage was also a sign that He was the prophesied Messiah.

Son of David/Son of Man

Genealogies played a significant role in biblical societies. They traced the line of descent and, in the case of Jesus, His genealogy is part of what identified Him as the Messiah and one with God, the King of all creation (Psalm 47:7). Jesus is “the first born, an Old Testament phrase about Jesus’ royal status, over all creation.”¹³

Matthew 1 uses the genealogy of Jesus to connect Him to Abraham, God’s chosen person (and family) through whom promises would flow to humanity.¹⁴

Matthew is saying that Jesus is the fulfillment of the Old Testament promises about a coming Messiah who would descend from David (hence the name “son of David,” Matthew 1:1, Luke 2:4). Because David was a king, calling Jesus the Son of David connected him to David’s royal line.

Luke 3 traces Jesus’ genealogy all the way back to “the son of Adam, the son of God” (Luke 3:38, NKJV). As a descendent of Adam, Luke is pointing out that Jesus is the Son of Man and Savior to all people, not just Abraham’s descendents.

Jesus refers to Himself as the Son of Man over 80 times.¹⁵ It connects Jesus back to the Old Testament prophecy of the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven and beginning a work of judgment (Daniel 7:13-14, John 5:27).

Son of Man also relates to Jesus’ ability to relate to us because He was born a human (Hebrews 2:17, 4:15).

I AM

Though Jesus was born into humanity, His existence is eternal. I AM points to His timelessness and self-existence.¹⁶ He created, but was not Himself created. This can be a difficult concept for us to understand since we are created beings, and how can the finite understand the infinite? It’s hard to mentally grasp something or someone always existing, even before we existed. But I AM expresses this.

When God appeared to Moses in the burning bush in the Old Testament, He identified Himself as I AM (Exodus 3:14). The religious leaders in the time of Jesus would have been very aware of this, so when Jesus said, “Truly I tell you, before Abraham was, I am” (John 8:58, CSB), they considered it blasphemy and wanted to kill Him (verse 59) because He was saying He was God (but they didn’t want to believe Him).

It was unlawful to claim to be God, but Jesus made this claim boldly (John 10:30, John 14:9). He stood firmly in His identity and revealed His divine nature with confidence.

King of kings and Lord of lords

This same confidence is displayed in the name King of kings and Lord of lords. Jesus is timeless and His kingdom lasts forever.

The title king of kings (with a lowercase k) was often used in the Old Testament to show honor to someone of great authority and political power (Ezra 7:12, Ezekiel 26:7, Daniel 2:37).

To call Jesus King of kings and Lord of lords (with uppercase K and L) is to honor Him as a king and lord above all other kings and lords that have ever existed. In fact, He has the authority to set up and take down earthly kings (Daniel 2:21). He is ultimate, and to call Him as such is to show Him great honor and glory.

It demonstrates the power He has to defeat the devil and the authority He has to judge fairly (Revelation 19:11,16) when He will establish His kingdom on earth, which will last forever (Revelation 11:15).

The Last/Second Adam

His kingdom will last forever because Jesus was successful where Adam, the first human, failed (Romans 5:17-18). When Adam was tempted by the devil, he gave in to sin. But when the devil tempted Jesus in the wilderness, Jesus resisted him at every turn (Matthew 4:1-11).

Jesus is called the Last Adam, or the Second Adam, because the salvation of the human race comes through him (1 Corinthians 5:22).¹⁷ In his book The Sonship of Christ, Ty Gibson puts it this way: “A second ‘Adam,’ a new ‘Son of God,’ will take the stage of human history and succeed where the first Adam failed.”¹⁸

Defeating such an evil force brings up images of a mighty warrior holding up a bloody sword in victory. And this next name of Jesus emphasizes that image really well.

Lion of Judah

Photo by Glen Carrie on Unsplash

Lions are fierce. If you saw a lion roaming around your neighborhood, you’d likely run the other way! Even if you’d never seen a lion before, just the way they walk and glare might spark your instinct to get away, and fast.

The name Lion of Judah holds fortitude and intensity in its words. “The strength and power of the lion, his undoubted place as king of beasts, make him a fitting symbol of the all-powerful Messiah.”¹⁹

Lion of Judah also connects Jesus to the fulfillment of a promise in Genesis that Joseph made to his son, Judah (Genesis 49:9-10). This prophecy of Joseph to his son was a message that the Messiah would come through Judah’s line.²⁰ So, “Among the Hebrews, and throughout the Old Testament, the lion was the achievement of the princely tribe of Judah.”²¹

There’s so much powerful language around some names of Jesus that you’d think He conquered sin through being a powerful warrior (Jeremiah 20:11-12). And He is a mighty warrior who wages war against evil (Revelation 19:11), but it’s His self-sacrifice that saved us from sin and reconciled us to God.

The next name we’ll look at speaks to a part of Jesus’ identity that is equally as full and true as Lion of Judah; both names “represent the union of omnipotent power and self-sacrificing love.”²²

Lamb of God

Where lions are fierce, lambs are equally as gentle. Jesus’ victory over sin came at a great price and in a way we might not expect from someone with all power at His disposal (Matthew 28:18).

One writer says, “Men since Old Testament times hoped for a Messiah who would be like a lion; the New Testament presents the Messiah as a lamb.”²³ Jesus didn’t defeat the Romans (who were oppressing the Jews) and establish His kingdom through military warfare, like the Jews expected Him to. Instead, it was through self-sacrifice and dying on the cross that Jesus triumphed over all sin for all time (1 Corinthians 15:56-57, Colossians 2:13-14).

Lambs are gentle creatures and, without a shepherd to guard them, are easy prey. Calling Jesus Lamb of God symbolizes the way He conquered the sin of the world. Isaiah said the Messiah would be “like a lamb that is led to slaughter” (Isaiah 53:7, NASB) and John the Baptist publicly identified Jesus as the Lamb of God (John 1:29).

Throughout the Old Testament, the people of Israel used unblemished lambs for sacrifices to God (Leviticus 1:3) for the atonement of the Israelites’ sins. The lamb had to be unblemished because it represented Jesus, who is sinless and without blemish.

Jesus was the perfect sacrifice who saved us all (1 Peter:18-19).

The different names of Jesus speak to the fullness of who He is, even when they seem to contradict each other. But they don’t cancel each other out because they all stem from His goodness and love.

The last name we’ll look at speaks to this seeming contradictory nature of Jesus.

Alpha and Omega

Is He as fierce as a lion? Yes. Is He as gentle as a lamb? Absolutely. Does He have the power to raise rulers and put them down? Yup! When we take a step back and look at all of Jesus’ names together, we better understand where Alpha and Omega comes from—the beginning and the end (Isaiah 44:6).

Revelation 1:8 (ESV) says, “I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.”

Alpha is the first letter of the Greek alphabet and Omega is the last. Together, Alpha and Omega are “a figure of speech that expresses the totality by references to polar opposites.” The name emphasizes God’s sovereignty because He controls the beginning, the end, and everything in between.²⁴

Jesus isn’t either/or. He is and. That and this. It is precisely this characteristic that makes Him eternal and complete. He is the only one who is “the fulfillment of God’s plan from creation to the end times.”²⁵

What we can learn from the names of Jesus

Photo by Jez Timms on Unsplash

Jesus is love, and His many names show different aspects of that love.

Something would be lacking if Jesus was King of kings and Lord of lords but not the Lamb of God. If He promised to be the Prince of Peace but didn’t dwell with us as Immanuel, an important piece would be missing.

But nothing is missing in Jesus. There is a name for Him for any way that we need Him.

If we need Him to protect us, we can call Him the Good Shepherd.

When we’re confused and need a guide, we can call Him Wonderful Counselor.

When we need a reminder that we are heirs to God’s promises because of Jesus’ sacrifice, we can call Him Passover Lamb.

When we need a reminder that He understands our experience, we can call Him Immanuel.

There are so many names for Jesus because His love is big. And He is everything that we could ever need.

Not only do Jesus’ names tell us more about His identity and mission, prophecies about Him do as well.

1. Nixon, Paul D. and Clarise Nixon. God Is A Person: Discovering God for Yourself, TrueVinePublishing, 2021, p. 16. [↵]
2. See also Jeremiah 33:15 and Zacheriah 6:12 [↵]
3. See also John 5:27 [↵]
4. See also Matthew 15:22; 21:9 [↵]
5. See also Matthew 27:37; Mark 15:26; Luke 23:38; John 19:2-3 [↵]
6. See also Acts 22:14, NKJV [↵]
7. See also 1 Peter 5:4 [↵]
8. See also Revelation 1:11, NKJV; 21:6; 22:13 [↵]
9. Revelation uses this title for Jesus more than any other book of the Bible: 5:12-13; 6:1, 16; 7:9-10, 14, 17, and many others! [↵]
10. https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/prince [↵]
11. https://biblehub.com/topical/m/mighty_god,_everlasting_father,_prince_of_peace.htm [↵]
12. https://biblehub.com/hebrew/6005.htm [↵]
13. “Book of Colossians” by BibleProject, https://bibleproject.com/guides/book-of-colossians/. [↵]
14. “Jesus and Genealogies” by BibleProject, https://bibleproject.com/articles/jesus-genealogies/ [↵]
15. “Lesson 2: The Son,” General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists. p. 15 [↵]
16. SDA Bible Commentary, vol. 1, p. 172 [↵]
17. Nichol, Francis, The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, vol. 6, p. 811. [↵]
18. Gibson, Ty, MDiv, The Sonship of Christ, p. 30. [↵]
19. Specht, Walter F., PhD, “Christ the Lamb,” Andrews University. [↵]
20. “Revelation 5:5,” BibleHub.com. [↵]
21. “Lion,” Smith’s Bible Dictionary. [↵]
22. White, Ellen G. The Acts of the Apostles, p. 589. [↵]
23. Specht, “Christ the Lamb.” [↵]
24. Gallusz, Laszlo, PhD. “The Incomparable ‘Alpha and Omega’: God’s Speeches in Revelation,” Ministry Magazine (2021). 172 [↵]
25. “Revelation 1:8” BibleHub.com. [↵]

More Answers

We don’t know exactly when Jesus Christ will return.

The Bible says that no one can know, not even the angels (Matthew 24:36)! That’s why the Bible discourages us from trying to set dates for His return. In the meantime, we’re encouraged to be ready.

However, the Bible does tell us some things that will happen before the Second Coming. These biblical signs don’t indicate a timeline progression of events, but they do indicate the direction the world is headed.

It’s natural to wonder what happens in the end times and what the signs indicate. Let’s take a closer look at what the Bible says.

Here’s what we’ll talk about:

• Why can’t we know the exact timing of Jesus’ coming?
• What do we know about Jesus’ return?
• What this all means

Let’s start with the reason we can’t know.

Why can’t we know the exact timing of Jesus’ coming?

Photo by Towfiqu barbhuiya on Unsplash

Jesus does not tell us when He’s coming back because that’s not the focus. The timing is something we can’t comprehend.

God’s perspective is so much bigger than ours. He sees the big picture of where the earth is headed, and He can tell when Jesus needs to return.

This is illustrated in 2 Peter 3:8. To God, “one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day” (NKJV).

We can’t see the big picture—we don’t even know what will happen in the next hour! This is why it doesn’t make sense for us to know when Jesus will come.

And that’s why Jesus tells the disciples on the Mount of Olives, in a conversation about His return,

“But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, but My Father only” (Matthew 24:36, NKJV; see also Matthew 24:42, 44; Mark 13:32).

Jesus wants us to focus on the fact that He is returning (John 14:2-3)! This is the hope humankind has had since Jesus ascended into Heaven in the first century, and it’s something to look forward to with all our hearts.

Thinking about the timing can distract us from the real goal: to be filled with Christ’s love and share it with others, which prepares us for His second coming. Jesus’ coming is near (Revelation 22:12)—it could happen at any time. In the meantime, we need to believe in Him, accept Him, and hold fast to Him—even when the world is spiraling into chaos in the last days.

Because that’s exactly what will happen.

Scripture tells us that sin made Earth the mess it is (Isaiah 59:2, Romans 5:12). And if sin is not stopped, the Earth will destroy itself at some point.

Jesus’ coming will put an end to sin (Revelation 21:4; 1 Corinthians 15:24), which is why Christians look forward to it so deeply.

Jesus gives us signs in the Bible to watch out for, to assure us that they are part of the world’s trajectory. If we are aware of the signs, we won’t have to be afraid or worried when they happen. Instead, we can hold onto Him, knowing His return is soon.¹

Predicting a time or date can distract us from this, and we’ll never be right because there’s no way to know. People have set dates throughout history, only to be disappointed.

For example, the Millerites thought the return of Christ would occur on October 22, 1844.²

And Howard Camping predicted the kingdom of God would come on several different dates in the 1990s and, most notably, May 21, 2011.³

Others thought the end of the Mayan calendar on December 21, 2012 meant the end of the world.⁴

These dates (and their passing) have only distracted people from the real message: Jesus is coming, and we need to be ready!

It’s clear there’s a lot we don’t know about Jesus’ coming, so let’s look at some things we do know.

What do we know about Jesus’ return?

Photo by Doruk Aksel Anıl

The New Testament gives us a lot of insight into what will happen in the world leading up to the Second Coming.

In the Gospels, specifically Matthew 24, Mark 13, and Luke 21, Jesus tells His disciples of events that will happen as the world continues in its downward spiral. The events don’t tell us exactly how close we are to Jesus’ return; rather, they describe to us where our dying world already is.

Sin is destructive (Romans 6:23), and a destructive process allowed to continue indefinitely will naturally end in destruction.

When Jesus told the disciples of these events, He reminded them,

“All these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. … All these are the beginning of sorrows” (Matthew 24:6, 8, NKJV, emphasis added).

These events just mean we’re getting closer to the time, not that Jesus is coming tomorrow. They will get worse as we continue down the path of destruction.

The Bible compares the progression of events to birth pains. Matthew 24:8 in English Standard Version reads, “All these are but the beginning of birth pains.”

And Paul alludes to this in one of his letters: “For when they say, ‘Peace and safety!’ then sudden destruction comes upon them, as labor pains upon a pregnant woman” (1 Thessalonians 5:3, NKJV).

Just as labor intensifies as time goes on and the baby’s birth draws near, so will these signs increase in frequency and intensity the closer we get to the return of Jesus.

And another thing to remember is that with labor, you know it will happen soon, but you still have no idea when until it suddenly begins. We know Jesus will return, but we don’t know exactly when. These signs just tell us it will be at some point.

With this in mind, here are some of the events Jesus talks about the first time He came, indicating we’re on our way to the Second Coming:

• People falsely claiming to be prophets and even Jesus (Matthew 24:5, 11, 24; Mark 13:6, 22; Luke 21:8)
• Wars and rumors of wars (Matthew 24:6; Mark 13:7; Luke 21:9)
• Disasters like famines, epidemics, and earthquakes (Matthew 24:7; Mark 13:8; Luke 21:11)
• Societal upheaval (Matthew 24:9-10; Mark 13:8-9, 12-13; Luke 21:12, 16)
• Natural phenomena (Matthew 24:29-30; Mark 13:24-25; Luke 21:25)

The apostle Peter also talks about people who won’t believe Jesus is returning, forgetting about Creation and Noah and the Flood (2 Peter 3:3-6).

And the apostle Paul warns Timothy (2 Timothy 3:1-5) that people will be:

• Selfish
• Greedy and pleasure-seeking
• Boastful
• Proud and haughty
• Blasphemous and having a false godliness
• Disobedient and lawless
• Unthankful
• Unholy
• Unloving
• Unforgiving
• Lacking self-control
• Brutal

Peter and Paul describe people traits that existed in their time—and even more so today. The world isn’t getting any better—it will only continue to go downhill.

The book of Revelation records a vision given to the apostle John about the final events of Earth. It mentions the beast and the mark of the beast (Revelation 13), which represents an inward choice people will make to follow a religious-political power instead of God.

Bible prophecy also talks about the antichrist (1 John 2:18, 22, 4:3). This is a religious power attempting to take Jesus’ place, claiming to be like Him (2 Thessalonians 2:3-4).⁵

Some people also believe that a secret rapture will occur before the Second Coming of Christ, but we don’t see anything in the Bible that talks about this.

There are a lot of signs the Bible talks about. How can we apply everything we’ve learned to our own situation right now?

What this all means

The important takeaway from this discussion is that Jesus is coming—soon! And the signs He gave us are reminders that we’re headed in the right direction.

We can see the signs everywhere. We don’t have to keep our eyes glued to the news and worry about missing one. The main thing is to be aware of them, so that when we see them, we aren’t scared or anxious.

The coming of the Lord is the good news we can look forward to as the world spirals into chaos.

We don’t need to worry about the exact timing of Jesus’ return.

We need to worry about being ready.

“Therefore let us not sleep, as others do, but let us watch and be sober” (1 Thessalonians 5:6, NKJV).

 

“Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect” (Matthew 24:44, NKJV).

This doesn’t necessarily mean we have to stock up on canned food or become fanatical. It means we need to think about where our hearts are.⁶ Is our faith in Jesus? Are we loyal to Him instead of the world? Will we trust Him to take care of us when the world is falling apart? Are we impassioned by His unconditional love? Are we openly sharing it with others?

That’s what Jesus wants us to focus on: putting our faith in Him, so that we’ll lean on Him when things get really difficult on earth. If we’ve accepted Him, then the timing doesn’t really matter.

Just like the parable of the ten virgins in Matthew 25, we have to be mindful and pay attention. Or, in the words of Mark Finley, a pastor and evangelist: “The only way to be ready is to get ready, and stay ready.”⁷

Put your faith and loyalty in Jesus now.

In the meantime, we can go about our days as usual (Luke 19:13), without obsessing over every sign we might see, trusting in the Holy Spirit to guide us. We can work on building our own relationship with Jesus so we’re ready when He returns in great glory. And we can live out our relationship with Him and show His love to others, so that they can be ready as well.

What happens after the Second Coming of Jesus?

1. Mukuka, Christopher Kabwe, MA. “Discerning signs of the times in the context of Matthew 16:2-3,” Ministry Magazine, February 2024. [↵]
2. “United for Mission: One Hundred and Fifty Years,” General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists. [↵]
3. “Harold Camping, radio host who predicted world’s end, dead at 92,” CBS News, December 17, 2013. [↵]
4. Vance, Erik. “Neither the Maya Calendar—nor the World—Ends on December 21, 2012,” Scientific American, July 6, 2012. [↵]
5. “An Introduction to End-Time Prophecies in the Bible,” General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists. [↵]
6. Nichol, F. D. The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, notes to 1 Thessalonians 5:6. [↵]
7. Finley, Mark. “End Time Events Before the Second Coming of Christ,” HopeLives365. [↵]

More Answers

We first get to know Jesus, the Son of God and our Messiah, by reading the Gospel accounts of His earthly ministry. And after He died for our sins and was resurrected, He returned to heaven. This is known as “the ascension of Jesus Christ,” and it’s described in Mark 16:19, Luke 24:50-51, and Acts 1:9-11.

But what about after that? What was Jesus doing throughout the rest of the New Testament?

Of those three passages about His ascension, all that’s immediately said was that He “sat down at the right hand of God” (Mark 16:19).

So what does that mean?

“Sitting at the right hand” means to be in a position of honor and power.¹ So Jesus’ ascension back to heaven was also an ascension to a specific position of authority in relation to humanity (Hebrews 1:2-4).

He works under this authority to nurture and guide those who accept Him as their Savior (Hebrews 2:9-11) and to complete the work He started in all of our lives (Philippians 1:6).

So even though His physical form left the earth, He never left His church (the global community of believers) to do the heavy lifting—He’s been working in and through His people to share the Gospel and reveal God’s character.

He’s also been preparing for the day when He will be forever reunited with us.

The New Testament writers revealed what He’s done and continues to do. We’ll explore the ways Jesus has been working with humanity after the ascension:

• Preparing a perfect, eternal home for His people
• Sending the Holy Spirit
• Interceding
• What He’s doing now

One of the first hints Jesus gave about His post-ascension role had to do with our collective future as believers.

Preparing a home for His people

Photo by Emma Bauso

Jesus promised His disciples He would come back for them because He was “preparing a place” for them.

“In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also” (John 14:2-3, ESV).

While this may or may not mean physically building an eternal structure for us to call home someday, it shows He’s taking a personalized approach to making eternity a blissful experience for us. In heaven and the New Earth, we will be fully experiencing the kingdom of God. We will be where we can walk and talk with Him in person as we would with any loved one (Revelation 7:15-17; 21:3).

When Christ left earth, it wasn’t a final goodbye. It was more like He was saying, “Wait for me. I’ll come back and get you when the time is right.”

We can think of it like a committed long-distance relationship.

But that doesn’t mean we’re just sitting around staring at the sky. Jesus taught His disciples to prepare for His return.

Jesus told a parable about how He expected His followers to stay active and ready for His return (Matthew 25:14-30; Luke 19:11-27). In it, He described His followers as servants conducting the “master’s business” until their master returned (Luke 19:13). The faithful servants actively waited by using their master’s resources for his purposes (Matthew 25:14-28; Luke 19:11-27).

This parable teaches us to use what God has blessed us with to advance His work on earth—spreading the Gospel and serving others—while He continues His role in heaven.

But He knows we can’t do it alone, so He sent His Spirit to help us get ready.

Sending the Holy Spirit

After Jesus ascended, He fulfilled His promise to send His Holy Spirit. Many Christians refer to this as the “outpouring of the Holy Spirit,” and it kick-started the early church. For centuries, the Holy Spirit has connected people with Jesus, empowering them to overcome the challenges in their paths.

Here’s how:

The promise before the crucifixion

Jesus declared before His death that He would send a “Helper,” the “Spirit of truth.” These are other names for the Holy Spirit who would reveal Jesus and guide His followers (John 15:26-27; 16:13-14).

The disciples initially struggled with this promise because it meant He was leaving. And that’s understandable. It’s hard to say goodbye to someone close to you, especially someone you’d been spending every day with.

“But now I go away to Him who sent Me, and none of you asks Me, ‘Where are You going?’ But because I have said these things to you, sorrow has filled your heart. Nevertheless I tell you the truth. It is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you” (John 16:5-7, NKJV).

They didn’t yet understand that Jesus could always be with them through the Holy Spirit.

With a physical body on earth, He could only be in one place at a time.

But through the Holy Spirit, He can be everywhere by living in our hearts (John 16:13-15). Through the Spirit, we can stay connected to Him as our source, just like branches that grow out of a vine as their source of life and energy (John 15:4-5).

Here are some ways the Spirit is our connection to Jesus:

• Dwelling within us (John 14:16-17). This means we have immediate, ongoing access to Jesus. We can pray to Him anytime, and He will always guide us (Romans 8:14, 16).
• Teaching us “all things” and reminding us of what Jesus said (John 14:26, NKJV).
• Guiding us into all truth (John 16:13)
• Revealing who Jesus is and what He wants us to know (John 15:26; 16:14).
• Giving us the words to speak when we need it (Mark 13:11).
• Interceding for us, searching our minds, and interpreting our prayers (Romans 8:26-27).

The Gospels refer to the Holy Spirit as the “Helper” (“Counselor” in the Christian Standard Bible).² It’s comforting to realize the Spirit of Christ functions to help and be there for us while we navigate the challenges of this life.

The 12 disciples were clueless about the true purpose of Christ’s mission and death. This was such a big, new concept to them. But the Lord knew this and promised the Spirit would shed light on His teachings (John 16:13).

Sure enough, when Jesus rose from the dead, the Holy Spirit opened their eyes (John 20:21; Luke 24:44-45) and they finally understood that “it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead the third day, and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name to all nations” (Luke 24:46-47, NKJV).

Now, they just needed the power and encouragement to declare it.

The promise after the resurrection

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The Holy Spirit enabled them to preach the Gospel as His witnesses. Before ascending, Jesus instructed His disciples to stay in Jerusalem until He sent the Holy Spirit (Luke 24:49).

“But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth” (Acts 1:8, NKJV).

This empowerment began on the Day of Pentecost. Also called the Feast of Weeks, Pentecost was a Jewish holiday that followed the Feast of Firstfruits (Leviticus 23:9-22; Exodus 34:22).

The Feast of Firstfruits pointed forward to Jesus’ resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:20)³, and the Feast of Weeks symbolized a spiritual “harvest” when thousands accepted Christ after He poured out the Holy Spirit.⁴

Jesus used the Spirit to build His church, communicate with His people, and work through them. This manifested in different ways:

• He gave His followers boldness to share the Gospel (Acts 4:8-13, 31, 33).
• He healed people through His disciples (Acts 3:1-8; 9:32-35; 16:16-18; 19:11-12).
• He helped His followers through difficult situations, either by removing them from them or giving them the grace to endure (Acts 7:54-60; 18:9-11; 2 Timothy 4:16-18).
• He spoke through visions and prophecies (Acts 9:10-17; 11:5-15, 27-28; 18:9-11; 21:10-11). He even showed John, who was “in the Spirit on the Lord’s Day,” the visions that would become the Book of Revelation (Revelation 1:9-11, NKJV)!
• He directed who should go where (Acts 8:26-35; 13:2-3; 16:6-10).
• And He gave out different spiritual gifts (1 Corinthians 12:4-11).

And the same Jesus who guided the early church with His Spirit keeps doing it today! The Gospel is still preached. Miracles still happen. God can still have a deep, personal connection with us.

One way Christ keeps it going is through His work as an intercessor.

Interceding for us

A mediator or intercessor is someone who “stands in the gap” for someone else. Their main job is to reconcile damaged relationships and to perform tasks on people’s behalf that they are unable to do. Intercession also involves advocating on behalf of people when direct confrontations or reconciliations are not feasible.

In the Old Testament, the priests served as the mediators and intercessors between God and His people (Hebrews 7:27). Their earthly roles provided the example of what Jesus does for us now.

When Jesus returned to heaven, He went from being our sacrifice on the Cross to entering the heavenly temple as our High Priest (Hebrews 7:24-26).

The Bible says the temple on earth was a copy of the one in heaven. All the furnishings and items pointed to how Christ would work as our mediator for the new covenant (Hebrews 8:5; 9:6-9; 10:1).

As a high priest, Jesus intercedes for us in several ways:

• Forgiving our sins
• Cleansing us from the stain of our sins
• Being our advocate
• Helping us overcome temptations
• Giving us guidance in times of need, through His Holy Spirit

Let’s go over each of these.

Forgiving sins

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John wrote that Christ came into the world to “take away our sins” (1 John 3:5, NKJV).

This means He took on the ultimate consequences of sin—death and eternal separation from God. He declares us forgiven and heals our broken relationship with Him (Hebrews 10:11-23). He took the death penalty on our behalf and now stands in our place as our advocate (Hebrews 9:11-12).

To emphasize this point, Israel’s high priest wore a turban and a breastplate that represented the tribes of Israel. Wearing these symbolized him bearing the weight of their guilt (Exodus 28:29-30, 37-38).

Likewise, Jesus has taken our sins, our guiltiness, upon Himself. “He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree; so that, having died to sins, we might live for righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed” (1 Peter 2:24, CSB).

By doing this, He demonstrated the peak of unconditional love: He willingly died for each and every person, even knowing that some opposed Him and even wanted Him dead.

“For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die—but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:6-8, ESV).

What makes Jesus different from the Levitical priests is His work is enough to save us. While the priests served as mediators in a symbolic manner, they had no actual power to grant salvation—because they needed it, too!

Jesus, on the other hand, made it possible to be saved by embracing what He did for us.

Now He’s cleansing us from sin and helping us grow in spiritual maturity.

Cleansing us from our sins

When Christ removes sin’s power over our lives, He gently changes our hearts to become more like Him (2 Corinthians 3:18).

Paul explains that Christ gave Himself for His people “that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works” (Titus 2:14, NKJV).

This ongoing experience is commonly called “sanctification.” And a great example of this process is Paul’s life.

The apostle recalls how he went from persecuting the church to becoming one of its most passionate representatives. It was by God’s grace that he became known as an apostle who switched to working hard for the church rather than against it (1 Corinthians 15:9-10, NKJV).

Unfortunately, we often mess up during this process. But God doesn’t give up on us.

Being our advocate

But if (when) we mess up, we don’t have to punish ourselves. It’s not God’s will for us to sin, but He doesn’t cut us off if we do.

“My little children, these things I write to you, so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous” (1 John 2:1, NKJV).

God is like a father who wants what’s best for His children. Like many parents, He’s set up boundaries and expectations designed for us to have a healthy relationship with Him and experience life in the best way possible.

And for the most part, we are often like overzealous children who push those boundaries or even run right past them at times. But like a loving parent doesn’t give up on their child just because they do something wrong or make poor decisions, God doesn’t reject us or stop loving us even when we fail Him.

Like the father in the “lost son” parable, He embraces us. What’s even better is that He turns our failures into learning experiences and opportunities to understand His compassion on a deeper level.

Parents also often advocate for their children by representing them as legal guardians. They do this when their children can’t make decisions that adults can. As God’s adopted children, we have Christ as our representative. He does this because our own human strength isn’t enough to keep us in perfect alignment with His will.

And Jesus not only stands in the gap for us and communing directly with God the Father, but He also steps in when the devil, the “accuser of our brethren,” tries to hang our past over our heads to discourage us (Revelation 12:10-11, NKJV).

To illustrate this, the prophet Zechariah saw a vision where Satan condemned and accused Joshua the high priest before the Lord, only to be rebuked and silenced. As far as God was concerned, Joshua was forgiven, and the devil had no authority to say otherwise (Zechariah 3:1-10).

The only person with the right to condemn us sacrificed Himself and now mediates for us (Romans 8:34). It’s like having the lawyer and judge on our side!

So through Christ’s life-changing work, He steps in to silence any claim the Devil could possibly conjure up.

Simon Peter experienced this firsthand. Jesus told Peter that He was praying for him because He knew Satan wanted to trip him up (Luke 22:31-32).

And this indeed happened. Peter was one of Jesus’s closest followers, yet he denied their relationship three times (Luke 22:54-62).

After the resurrection, Jesus restored Peter by giving him an opportunity to express his love for Him three times (John 21:15-17).

Christ’s mercy changed this rough-around-the-edges fisherman and made him one of the boldest preachers in the New Testament (Acts 2:14-38; 3:12-17; 4:8-12).

Giving us grace in time of need

Jesus gives His church everything needed to overcome struggles.

Whatever you’re wrestling with—be it financial struggles, chronic illness, trauma, or a crisis of faith—Jesus understands, and He wants to give you victory.

“For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need” (Hebrews 4:15-16, NKJV).

When Paul wrote about his “thorn in the flesh” (2 Corinthians 12:7, CSB), he recalled that God promised His grace would be enough to keep him going. This meant that Paul’s weakness wouldn’t hold him back, and instead Jesus’ strength and power would shine through. So Paul welcomed challenges and opposition. He knew his toughest experiences would let Him experience and demonstrate Christ’s redemptive power (verses 9-10).

This kind of grace is also ready when we wrestle against sinful tendencies and habits.

Helping us overcome temptations

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Christ can help us overcome temptations because He knows what it’s like to struggle against sin. Even though He never sinned, He dealt with all the temptations we face. But He also gained victory over all of them. He has what it takes to resist sin, and He delights in empowering us to overcome it, too.

“Therefore, he had to be like his brothers and sisters in every way, so that he could become a merciful and faithful high priest in matters pertaining to God, to make atonement for the sins of the people. For since He Himself has suffered when He was tempted, He is able to help those who are tempted” (Hebrews 2:17-18, CSB).

Scripture says no temptation is too powerful for Jesus to help us beat. With Jesus as our advocate, there’s always an escape route (1 Corinthians 10:13).

Sometimes the escape is by cutting something out of our lives.

Take the Ephesian new believers, for example. They had been dabbling in spiritualism, but after seeing Jesus work miracles through Paul, they destroyed their “magic books” (Acts 19:11-20). This severed their ties to occultic practices and would make it easier to resist temptations to go back.

But removing something usually also means needing to replace it with something better. And not everyone has to cut something completely out in order to resist temptation. It may just be a matter of setting boundaries or shifting perspective. Whatever the case, there are countless ways God helps individuals overcome their struggles.

So even though we can’t see and hear Jesus the way people could during His earthly ministry, there are lots of ways we can see how He’s active in our lives. Through His Holy Spirit, He works His priestly, sanctifying ministry.

What’s Jesus doing now?

Jesus’ role hasn’t changed today, even after all this time. He is still actively involved in every moment of our lives. He’s seeking to save us from sin’s grasp while we learn more and more about His love, His character, and His mission. While He gets our eternal homes ready, He continues to help us through the Holy Spirit:

• He enables us to resist the devil and temptation (1 Peter 5:8-10)
• He strengthens our prayers (Romans 8:26-27)
• He helps us mature in our faith and spiritual growth (2 Peter 1:5-10)
• He refines our hearts and our character, and we end up seeing how our truest, purest, deepest desires actually line up with His (Philippians 2:12-13)

And of course, these processes will look different for each individual. We all have different experiences, tendencies, perspectives, etc. In one way or another, we’re all tempted by greed, envy, pride, etc. But we can be confident that Jesus, our Creator, Savior, and High Priest, joins us on our journey. And He knows just what we need to conquer each challenge we face.

“His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence” (2 Peter 1:3 ESV).

Even as Jesus’ intercessory work continues today, one rather fascinating thing has changed in God’s heavenly sanctuary.

The Old Testament talks about a time when Israel’s high priest entered the holiest place in the sanctuary to finalize atonement with God’s people (Leviticus 16). This was a symbolic event, foreshadowing something else Jesus did (and continues to do) for us.

If you’re interested in learning about this event and how it further points to Jesus as our advocate,

1. Nichols, Francis D., https://archive.org/details/SdaBibleCommentary1980/SdaBc-6%20%2845%29%20Romans/page/n125/mode/2up [↵]
2. John 14:16; 15:26; 16:13 [↵]
3. Commentary on Leviticus 23:11, NKJV Andrews Study Bible [↵]
4. Commentary on Leviticus 23:16, NKJV Andrews Study Bible [↵]

More Answers

When Jesus first came to earth as the Messiah, He left us with a promise before He went back to heaven—He would return one day.

“This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw Him go into heaven” (Acts 1:11).

Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection make the Second Coming possible (Galatians 1:4). He died for our sins the first time He came, and when He returns, He will gather together all believers and take them to heaven (John 11:25-26).

This will be a literal event that everyone in the world will see, hear, and experience at the same time. And every person has the power to choose whether they’ll accept Jesus as their Savior when He returns.

How do we know?

Because the Bible talks about the Second Coming in both the Old Testament and the New Testament. Not only in the Book of Revelation. And all these passages of Scripture tell us what we can expect and how to prepare our hearts and minds so we can look forward to Jesus’ return.

And to help with your study of the Second Coming, we’ve compiled all the verses that describe this wonderful future event, as well as some additional details about their context.

Here’s what we’ll cover as we go through these passages:

• When the Second Coming will happen
• What it will be like for us to experience
• What Jesus will do
• Key takeaways

We’ll start by going over the verses that answer the most common question about the Second Coming—its timing.

Note: Unless otherwise noted, all Bible verses are ESV. Emphases are applied to assist the topical study.

When will the Second Coming happen?

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Other than God, no one knows the date of the Second Coming. The Bible says not even the angels in heaven know the exact day or hour.

What we do know is that Jesus will return soon, meaning it could happen at any time. The Bible even mentions specific signs we’ll notice as it gets closer to the Second Coming of Jesus.

Overall, Scripture tells us to live in a state of readiness—because the Second Coming will catch the world by surprise. And we don’t know how long our lives will be. That’s why, in the big picture, Jesus is always coming “soon.”

Through the ages, people have tried to pinpoint the exact timing of Jesus’ return. But the Word of God tells us that like the servants in Jesus’ parable in Luke 12, we need to be ready at all times. We don’t know when our Master will return, and His timing is not for us to know. Our focus is to be on the present moment.

“You also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect” (Matthew 24:44).

 

“But concerning that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father only” (Matthew 24:36). (See also Mark 13:32-33.)

 

“Stay awake, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming” (Matthew 24:42)

 

“Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour” (Matthew 25:13).

 

“Stay awake—for you do not know when the master of the house will come, in the evening, or at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or in the morning” (Mark 13:35).

 

“Be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect” (Luke 12:40).

These verses say that since we can’t predict Jesus’ return, the best thing we can do is always be watching and waiting as we go about our daily lives.
And that’s especially important since the Bible repeatedly says that Jesus is coming soon—and when we least expect it:

“The great day of the Lord is near, near and hastening fast” (Zephaniah 1:14).

 

“The coming of the Lord is at hand. … behold, the Judge is standing at the door” (James 5:8-9).

 

“The day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night” (1 Thessalonians 5:8-9).

 

“The coming of the Lord is at hand. … behold, the Judge is standing at the door” (James 5:8-9).

 

“I am coming like a thief!” (Revelation 16:15).

 

“‘I am coming soon.’ Amen. Come, Lord Jesus!” (Revelation 22:20).

We see Jesus “coming like a thief” referenced twice in these verses. And Matthew 24:43 sheds light on what that means:

“But know this, that if the master of the house had known in what part of the night the thief was coming, he would have stayed awake and would not have let his house be broken into.”

That means if we knew a thief was coming, we’d take action to prepare our house (like Kevin in the movie Home Alone). But most of the time, thieves show up when they are least expected.

When Jesus appears, it will feel just as sudden to the world.

Jesus tells a parable that compares waiting for the Second Coming to servants waiting for their master to return:

“Stay dressed for action and keep your lamps burning, and be like men who are waiting for their master to come home from the wedding feast, so that they may open the door to him at once when he comes and knocks. … If he comes in the second watch, or in the third, and finds them awake, blessed are those servants!” (Luke 12:35-36, 38).

The servants didn’t know exactly when their master would return. But they knew it could be any minute, so they stayed awake and on guard. Another parable shows that since we don’t know when Jesus will come, we need to prepare our minds for it now (Matthew 25:1-12).

Not knowing when Jesus will return can leave us feeling uncertain. But we have reassurance that it won’t be random. We can always trust in God’s perfect timing:

“Until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, which He will display at the proper time” (1 Timothy 6:14-15).

Now that we’ve covered the verses on timing, let’s get more details about the event itself.

What will the Second Coming be like to experience?

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Right before Jesus’ return, Revelation 16 describes a series of plagues that will happen as part of God’s final response against sin, though followers of God will be protected from the plagues. This ends with the fall of “Babylon” (verse 19), or the system of religious corruption that perpetuated Satan’s influence in the world.

(You can read more about “Babylon” in Revelation chapters 17 and 18.)

All this is to say that, in many ways, the world will be at its darkest hour just before its brightest.

Then Jesus will appear, and everyone on earth will see Him arrive in the clouds. He’ll remain in the sky and send His angels to gather all believers—both living and newly resurrected.

In Matthew 24:29-31, Jesus paints a word picture of what it’ll be like:

“Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. Then will appear in heaven the sign of the Son of Man, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. And He will send out His angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather His elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.”

Right up until His arrival, false prophets and imposter messiahs will attempt to mislead people by saying that Jesus has already come back (Matthew 24:24; 2 Thessalonians 2:1-5). But the Bible gives specific details about how to recognize the true Second Coming:

It’ll be loud and vibrantly visible—impossible to miss.

“But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a roar, and the heavenly bodies will be burned up and dissolved, and the earth and the works that are done on it will be exposed” (2 Peter 3:10).

 

“The sky vanished like a scroll that is being rolled up, and every mountain and island was removed from its place” (Revelation 6:14).

Jesus and a host of angels will appear in the sky, not on the earth. (And it will be bright!)

“And behold, with the clouds of heaven there came one like a Son of Man” (Daniel 7:13).

 

“They will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory” (Matthew 24:30).

 

“Jesus said, ‘You will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power, and coming with the clouds of heaven’’” (Mark 14:62). (See also Matthew 26:64.)

 

“The Son of Man is going to come with His angels in the glory of His Father” (Matthew 16:27).

 

“They will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory” (Luke 21:27).

 

“…with the brightness of His coming” (2 Thessalonians 2:8, NKJV).

 

“The Lord comes with ten thousands of His holy ones” (Jude 1:14).

Jesus will be clearly presented as the rightful King of all creation

“When the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the angels with Him, then He will sit on His glorious throne” (Matthew 25:31).

 

“Then I looked, and behold, a white cloud, and seated on the cloud one like a son of man, with a golden crown on His head, and a sharp sickle in His hand” (Revelation 14:14).

 

“On His robe and on His thigh He has a name written, King of kings and Lord of lords” (Revelation 19:16).

It will be the only event happening—the whole world will experience it simultaneously

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All other events of the world will cease at Jesus’ return, because the entire earth will be focused on His grand appearance in the sky.

“If they say to you, ‘Look, he is in the wilderness,’ do not go out. If they say, ‘Look, he is in the inner rooms,’ do not believe it. For as the lightning comes from the east and shines as far as the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man” (Matthew 24:26-27).

 

“Behold, He is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see Him, even those who pierced Him, and all tribes of the earth will wail on account of Him” (Revelation 1:7).

We can set aside the secret rapture theory—the idea that Jesus will sneak His followers into heaven. Since every eye will see Jesus at His Second Coming, we don’t need to worry that we’ll miss it.

Even the dead who Jesus resurrects will see Him in the clouds. But more on that in a minute.

The point is, Jesus will remain in the sky where everyone can see Him. He’ll send His angels out to gather His followers. He won’t touch the earth during the Second Coming at all.

And that helps us differentiate the true Second Coming of Jesus from any rumors, deceptions, or staged events.

Now let’s explore more of what Jesus will do—and what will happen to us—when He returns.

What will Jesus do when He returns?

In short, after His initial appearance in the sky, Jesus will:

1. Announce His arrival
2. Resurrect believers who have died
3. Destroy the wicked with His presence
4. Draw us up to Him
5. Give us new, perfect bodies
6. Confine Satan
7. Take us to heaven for the Millennium

Here are the passages of Scripture that describe these things specifically:

“For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. …” (1 Thessalonians 4:16a).

 

“…And the dead in Christ will rise first” (1 Thessalonians 4:16b).

 

“Blessed and holy is the one who shares in the first resurrection! Over such the second death has no power…” (Revelation 20:6a).

 

“This is the will of my Father, that everyone who looks on the Son and believes in Him should have eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day” (John 6:40).

 

“For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive. But each in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, then at His coming those who belong to Christ” (1 Corinthians 15:22-23).

 

“Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord” (1 Thessalonians 4:17).

 

“And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself” (John 12:32).

 

“Now concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered together to Him…” (2 Thessalonians 2:1).

 

“When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory” (Colossians 3:4).

 

“Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to deal with sin but to save those who are eagerly waiting for Him” (Hebrews 9:28).

 

“Behold! I tell you a mystery. We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed” (1 Corinthians 15:51-52).

 

“In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also” (John 14:2-3).

And after Jesus gathers all His people in the air, He deals with Satan by locking him away, cutting off his ability to deceive or bring harm.

“Then I saw an angel coming down from heaven, holding in his hand the key to the bottomless pit and a great chain. And he seized the dragon, that ancient serpent, who is the devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years, and threw him into the pit, and shut it and sealed it over him, so that he might not deceive the nations any longer until the thousand years were ended. …” (Revelation 20:1-3).

As for those who chose against Jesus, we’ll talk about that next.

What happens to those who reject Jesus?

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When sin corrupted our nature, we lost immortality and our connection with the kingdom of God. When Jesus died for us, He restored that connection. But since He created us with free will, it’s up to us whether we accept it.

According to the Bible, those who won’t accept Jesus will remain on earth and His presence will put them to death until after the Millennium. Those who were already dead and didn’t believe also will remain dead until after the Millennium.

“Then two men will be in the field; one will be taken and one left. Two women will be grinding at the mill; one will be taken and one left” (Matthew 24:40-41). (See also Luke 17:34-36.)

 

“To grant relief to you who are afflicted as well as to us, when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with His mighty angels in flaming fire, inflicting vengeance on those who do not know God and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus” (2 Thessalonians 1:7-8).

 

“And the rest were slain by the sword that came from the mouth of Him who was sitting on the horse” (Revelation 19:21).

 

“The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were ended. …” (Revelation 20:5).

We’ve seen a few references now to the Millennium, or the “thousand years” that believers will spend in heaven with Jesus. After that time, Jesus will resurrect those who chose Satan’s kingdom over His.

Revelation 20:7-15 says they’ll join forces with Satan (who has been released at this time) to attack the new Jerusalem. But in the end, they’ll die alongside Satan.

It can be hard to process that some will reject the chance to be part of God’s kingdom, and that their existence will be put to an ultimate end. But to those who chose against God and everything

He stands for, life in a perfect world would be torture. That’s why the Bible says that many will try to flee when Jesus returns—unable to withstand the perfect presence of the Son of God:

“People shall enter the caves of the rocks and the holes of the ground, from before the terror of the Lord, and from the splendor of His majesty, when He rises to terrify the earth” (Isaiah 2:19).

 

“Whoever is ashamed of Me and of My words, of him will the Son of Man be ashamed when He comes in His glory” (Luke 9:26). (See also Mark 8:38.)

 

“The kings of the earth and the great ones and the generals and the rich and the powerful, and everyone, slave and free, hid themselves in the caves and among the rocks of the mountains, calling to the mountains and rocks, ‘Fall on us and hide us from the face of Him who is seated on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb, for the great day of their wrath has come, and who can stand?’” (Revelation 6:15-17).

It’s up to us if we want to accept Jesus’ sacrifice for our sins and choose Him as King. But not everyone will. So the Bible tells us that Jesus will separate His followers from the rest:

“Before him will be gathered all the nations, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats” (Matthew 25:32).

 

“I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by His appearing and His kingdom” (2 Timothy 4:1).

 

“I am coming soon, bringing my recompense with Me, to repay each one for what he has done” (Revelation 22:12).

By not joining Jesus, they default to the rule of Satan—the “lawless one” who Jesus destroys in the end (2 Thessalonians 2:8).

This can be a lot to take in. It’s not every day that we ponder how the world is going to end, or what our eternal fate might be.

But we can take a deep breath. Because the Bible holds good news for those who accept Jesus.

What happens to everyone who stands with Jesus?

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The Bible paints a picture of joy and celebration for those who look forward to the return of Christ (Titus 2:13).

And there’s a lot to look forward to. We already learned that if we love Jesus, we’ll join Him in the sky, get new, perfect bodies, and eternal life free from sin.

No wonder the Bible says:

“It will be said on that day, ‘Behold, this is our God; we have waited for Him, that He might save us. This is the Lord; we have waited for Him; let us be glad and rejoice in His salvation’” (Isaiah 25:9).

“Rejoice and be glad when His glory is revealed” (1 Peter 4:13).

When Jesus returns, His people—both living and resurrected—will be drawn to the presence of their Protector instead of running away in fear.

“Abide in Him, so that when He appears we may have confidence and not shrink from Him in shame at His coming” (1 John 2:28).

In John 10:27, Jesus says, “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.”

When we make it our goal to love and serve Christ, to uphold His ways and reflect His character, He helps calm our fears (1 John 4:13-18).

And when He appears to us, He’ll change us in the blink of an eye—eradicating any residual effects of sin, including fear.

Because Scripture gets specific about how He’ll change us:

“We know that when He appears we shall be like Him, because we shall see Him as He is” (1 John 3:2).

God created us in His own image (Genesis 1:27). But sin marred the image of every human. If we choose God’s kingdom, Jesus will restore us to His perfect image at the Second Coming (2 Corinthians 3:18).

And when we stand before Jesus in our new and perfect form, He’ll give us beautiful crowns:

“There is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved His appearing” (2 Timothy 4:8).

 

“When the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory” (1 Peter 5:4).

But crowns are only a small part of what God has waiting for His children in heaven:

“To an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you” (1 Peter 1:4).

And best of all:

“He will swallow up death forever; and the Lord God will wipe away tears from all faces” (Isaiah 25:8).

 

“He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away” (Revelation 21:4).

Jesus promises that we’ll get to leave behind sadness, trading it for eternal joy with Him. So we can see the Second Coming as a fulfillment of all our hopes—not something to fear.

Key takeaways about the Second Coming of Jesus

Now that we’ve covered the key Bible verses about Jesus’ return, let’s do a quick recap.

Jesus promised to return a second time to save anyone who wants Him as their Savior. We know:

• It’s a literal event we’ll see, hear, experience, and react to.
• Jesus will be visible to all.
• He’ll raise His followers from the dead.
• He’ll call His people to join Him in the clouds.
• Those who don’t choose Jesus will perish.
• He’ll restrain Satan, and later destroy him.
• Jesus’s people will gain perfected bodies, immortality, and an inheritance with Jesus in heaven and later, on the new earth.

Even though we don’t know exactly when Jesus will return, we know it could happen any time. And we know He’ll come like a thief in the night—meaning when we least expect it.

We also learned that not everyone will be happy about the Second Coming—or be ready for it.

The Bible says that right up until Jesus arrives, people will be busy with the usual distractions in life (Matthew 24:37-39).

That’s why it’s important to put Jesus first and live like He’s coming any minute. Then we’ll long for His kingdom more than we do for this one. We’ll be ready to let go of everything here in a heartbeat and stand before Jesus when He returns.

If we want Jesus in our lives, no one can take that away without our consent (John 10:28-29). But as we learned from the Bible, it’s important to be on guard until Jesus returns for us.

Revelation 3:11 emphasizes:

“I am coming soon. Hold fast what you have, so that no one may seize your crown.”

As Christians, we hold tight to the promise of Jesus’ Second Coming. But we also need to guard against the influences of Satan (1 Peter 5:8), and we can trust that his true colors will eventually be revealed (2 Thessalonians 2:3-4).

Here’s more good news: We’re not on our own. Jesus says, “I am with you always, to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:20).

We are promised to receive an inheritance beyond what we ask or could even imagine (Ephesians 3:20). And we can find encouragement in what the apostle Paul wrote:

“No eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love Him” (1 Corinthians 2:9).

Wondering how to prepare for the coming of Jesus?

Or if you want to dig deeper, you can

Here are all the passages of Scripture that describe the event of the Second Coming:

• 1 John 2:28
• 1 John 3:2
• 1 John 4:13-18
• Jude 1:14
• Revelation 1:7
• Revelation 3:11
• Revelation 6:14-17
• Revelation 14:14
• Revelation 16:15
• Revelation 19:16, 21
• Revelation 20:2-3, 5-15
• Revelation 21:4
• Revelation 22:12
• Revelation 22:20
• Mark 14:62
• Luke 9:26
• Luke 12:35-36, 38, 40
• Luke 17:34-36
• Luke 21:27
• John 6:40
• John 10:28-29
• John 11:25-26
• John 12:32
• John 14:2-3
• Acts 1:11

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Jesus Christ is the central figure of Christianity. Not only is He God’s Son and our Savior, He:

• Is who the Bible is all about
• Can give us eternal life
• Is part of the Trinity with God the Father and the Holy Spirit
• Is our Creator
• Loved us so much that He died on the cross for our sins, and will forgive us if we accept His sacrifice

Also called many other names of adoration (Son of Man, Son of God, Lamb of God, Master, Teacher, Emmanuel, King of Kings, and many more), Jesus loves humanity with immeasurable and unconditional love. Which is why He volunteered to die in our place, bearing the consequences of our sins, to ensure each one of us has a chance to be saved and live eternally with Him.

And as Seventh-day Adventists, we affirm that Jesus is fully divine and is “the way, the truth, and the life”—our only hope for salvation (John 14:6, CSB).

It only makes sense that someone who loves us enough to die for us is worthy of the time it would take to get to know Him. Let’s start with an overview of His life, mission, and identity.

We’ll look at:

• Who Jesus is 
• What His name means
• Qualities of His character
• Prophecies about Him
• His ministry on earth
• How He changed people’s lives
• His death and resurrection
• His role in the plan of salvation
• How He is still relevant to us today

Let’s start by looking at what the Bible tells us, since Jesus Himself says that the Scriptures “testify about Me” (John 5:39, CSB).

Who is Jesus, according to the Bible?

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Jesus Christ is fully God as a member of the Godhead. He became a human being when He was born to Mary in fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies about the Messiah, or deliverer of the people (Genesis 3:15). He came to the earth to live and die so that He could deliver us from the sin and selfishness that started with Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden.

Like many other Christian denominations, Adventist believe that there is only one God who exists in the Trinity of God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit.

Jesus, as God the Son, came to this earth to show us who God is, set us an example, and be crucified so that we could have hope for the future (John 1:1, 14; 1 Corinthians 8:6). We find the story of Jesus coming down to this earth in the New Testament Gospels.

During Jesus’ time on this earth, He lived a sinless life of ministry (1 Peter 2:22). And this sinless life was lived out as a human, or as Philippians tells us, in “the likeness of men” (Philippians 2:7, NKJV).

At the core of who Jesus is, we find a humble Son of God who loves us endlessly and wants to heal us of the sickness that sin brings.

In fact, we see this mission in the very meaning of His name.

What does the name Jesus mean?

According to Scripture, the name Jesus means, “He will save His people from their sins” (Matthew 1:21, NKJV). The meaning of His name tells us His life purpose, which was to die for us and to redeem us from the consequences and power of sin in our lives.

In the Bible, names are very significant because they tell us about the qualities and characteristics of an individual.

For example, in Genesis 17, God changed Abram’s name (meaning “exalted father”) to Abraham (“father of a multitude”), which symbolized and confirmed God’s promise of making him a “father of many nations” (Genesis 17:5, NKJV).

Similarly, Jesus’ many names reflect His qualities. Here are some of them:

• Almighty (Revelation 1:8)
• Bread of Life (John 6:35)
• Deliverer (Romans 11:26)
• Immanuel or “God with us” (Matthew 1:23)
• Good Shepherd (John 10:11)
• King of the Jews (Matthew 2:1–2)
• Lamb of God (John 1:29)
• Light of the World (John 8:12)
• Lord of All (Acts 10:36)
• Messiah (John 4:25–26)
• Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6)
• Rabbi (John 1:38)
• Savior (Luke 2:11)
• God (Isaiah 40:3)
• Son of God and Son of Man (Matthew 26:63–64)
• Christ (Matthew 16:16)

Think about it this way:

A person who is faithful, true, devoted, and dependable is likely to be called “loyal,” just like a person who is trustworthy, honest, caring, and empathetic can be called a “friend.”

Likewise, Jesus’ names reveal that He is our teacher, guide, provider, and deliverer. And they give us glimpses into what He is like.

Let’s explore some of those qualities next.

What are some of Jesus’ qualities revealed in the Bible?

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The Bible tells us that God—and Jesus—is love. Every other quality of His is a result of that ultimate characteristic. He is:

• Forgiving
• Humble
• Just
• Patient
• Compassionate
• Gentle
• Joyful

And that’s just the start! Jesus’ qualities are too numerous for us to count.

But let’s take a moment to see how these qualities surfaced in His life. As you do, you might just find your love for Him growing.

Love

The Bible tells us that God is love (1 John 4:8)—not just loving. Every part of Him is selfless, other-focused love (1 Corinthians 13), and all the other qualities He has are reflections of that love.

Jesus came to show this aspect of God (John 3:16). Though He was sinless, He came down to this earth as a human to serve us and eventually be crucified for our sins. He is the prime example of what love is and how we should love those around us.

What’s also amazing is that Jesus loves and cares for us so much that He gives us the privilege of being called His friends (John 15:13).

Forgiving

John tells us that “if we confess our sins, [God] is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9, NKJV).

Jesus has a forgiving heart toward each one of us, not holding our sins and mistakes against us. He’s not keeping track of what we’ve done wrong, and He doesn’t push us away in disgust.

Rather, He’s drawn to those who are struggling and sinning.
Even when He hung on the cross, dying for the very people mocking Him, He asked His Father to “forgive them, for they know not what they do” (Luke 23:34, NKJV).

Humble

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When Jesus came down to this earth, He didn’t come as a literal king to sit on a throne and rule the world, though that’s what the people and the religious leaders expected. Instead, He embodied the kingdom of God, which is all about humility and selfless love.

The Bible says,

“The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many” (Mark 10:45, NKJV).

We find an example of this in John 13 when He washed His disciples’ dirty feet. As their teacher and Savior, He deserved to have them wash His feet, but that didn’t stop Him. No position was too low or shameful for Him.

Service and humility were a large part of Jesus’ lifestyle and who He was as a true king.

Just

While here on earth, Jesus stood for justice for those who were traditionally ignored or abused. After all, love doesn’t sit by and allow others to be hurt and mistreated.

We see this exhibited in the story of the woman caught in adultery (John 8). When the religious leaders wanted to stone her, Jesus humbly held up justice. He bent down, wrote in the dust, and then said to the scribes and Pharisees, “He who is without sin, let him throw a stone at her first” (John 8:7, NKJV).

Though the Bible doesn’t tell us what Jesus wrote in the dust, it’s likely that He wrote the sins of the scribes and Pharisees, helping them to see that they were not innocent in their attempts to condemn the woman.

Through this situation, Jesus not only showed justice but also made it clear that God, and God alone, is the judge.

Patient

Jesus’ patience shines in the way He treated the people around Him throughout His earthly life.

He was especially patient with His disciples, who were with Him during His three-and-a-half-year ministry. Many of them had misconceptions about Jesus’ mission and prejudices toward Gentiles (non-Jews). They learned so slowly!

And yet, Jesus didn’t give up on them.

For example, one of His own disciples, Peter, often faltered in his faith, even denying Jesus three times to those who asked him if he was a disciple (John 13:31–38; 18:25–27).

But after the resurrection, Jesus didn’t scold Peter. He didn’t express anger or impatience at Peter’s denial. Above all, Jesus didn’t exclude Peter from being one of His disciples. Instead, He forgave Peter and gave him a mission: “Feed My sheep” (John 21:15–17, NKJV).

Compassionate

Jesus always had a soft spot for those who were in need; He longed to alleviate their suffering.

Over and over again, His healing miracles reveal this compassion. Even when He was exhausted and needed a rest Himself, His compassion drove Him to help those who were hurting and hungering for truth (Mark 6:30–34).

On one occasion, two blind men sitting by the road heard that Jesus was going to pass by. Despite the crowds demanding they be quiet, the two blind men cried out to Him in desperation:

“Have mercy on us, O Lord, Son of David!” (Matthew 20:31, NKJV).

Unlike the crowds, Jesus didn’t see these men as an annoyance. Instead, He “had compassion and touched their eyes. And immediately their eyes received sight, and they followed Him” (Matthew 20:34, NKJV).

Gentle

Instead of a hurried and hectic life, Jesus showed us a life of peace and gentleness. He also promises this gentleness towards us:

“Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls” (Matthew 11:29, NKJV).

Joyful

We often think of Jesus as a serious person, and He certainly knew how and when to be serious. But it’s also important to remember that Jesus had the joy of God in His heart.

This joy is illustrated through the way He welcomed children to Him to be blessed (Mark 10:13–16), how His first miracle was at a wedding feast, a time of great celebration (Luke 14:7–14), and how He desires joy for us (John 15:11)!

Now that we’ve gotten to know more about Jesus’ character, let’s see how His life fulfilled Bible prophecies.

Prophecies about Jesus

The coming of the Son of God was long awaited! For hundreds of years, the Jewish people had hoped for the Messiah, who was promised at the beginning of this earth’s history. They based these longings on the Old Testament, which is filled with prophecies about the Messiah’s appearance and ministry.

The following are some of the prophecies Jesus fulfilled:

• He spent His early years in Egypt (Hosea 11:1)
• He preached in parables (Psalm 78:2)
• He performed miracles of healing (Isaiah 35:5-6)
• Rulers plotted against Him (Psalm 31:13)
• He suffered and died for our sins (Isaiah 53:1-10)
• His hands and feet were pierced (Psalm 22:16)
• He was resurrected (Psalm 16:9–11)

But let’s back up even further:

The earliest mention of a Messiah is within the first three chapters of the Bible, shortly after the story of Creation. Genesis 3:15 foretold that a woman would give birth to a Savior, who would defeat Satan and save the human race from his deceptions.

Later, God promised Abraham that the Savior would come from the line of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (Genesis 12:3; Numbers 24:17), which was fulfilled as told in the genealogy of Jesus in Matthew 1:1–16.

Isaiah the prophet foretold that Jesus would be born of a virgin:

“Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel” (Isaiah 7:14, NKJV).

And even the exact location of Jesus’ birth was prophesied in the Scriptures. Bethlehem was a small, humble town, yet it became the birthplace of the Messiah:

“But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of you shall come forth to Me the One to be Ruler in Israel, whose goings forth are from of old, from everlasting” (Micah 5:2, NKJV).

The Old Testament prophets described the Messiah’s life in great detail. And Jesus fulfilled each prophecy with perfect accuracy.

But even though His birth and life satisfied the prophecies of the Old Testament, Jesus lived in a way that many people didn’t expect. They expected Him to come to this earth as royalty. To sit on the throne and wear a crown, as a regular king would. And to overcome the Romans—the oppressors of the Jews.

This led to some people being greatly disappointed and a little bit confused when Jesus showed up in a humble robe, wearing everyday sandals with no intentions of claiming the current king’s throne as His own.

We’ll see next what His life really looked like.

The earthly ministry of Jesus

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The life of Jesus was all about ministry to others. His goal was to be able to relate to us so that He could help us. He came into daily contact with temptation just like we do. The only difference is that He overcame each and every one of them through His connection with His Father God, setting us a perfect example of how we can overcome too (1 Peter 2:22).

The four Gospels, Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, show us how our Savior took on every aspect of human life—its hardships, its pain, its temptations (Hebrews 4:15).

He knew what it was like to work hard day after day to make ends meet, to have tension within family relationships, and to feel misunderstood and mistreated.

He experienced the constant battle between good and evil that we have to live through every day.

And He had to choose God on a daily basis.

The apostle Paul says that because Jesus “Himself has suffered, being tempted, He is able to aid those who are tempted” (Hebrews 2:18, NKJV).

All the while, His focus was on those around Him.

He ministered to people’s physical and material needs and then addressed their spiritual needs. He left us a perfect example of what serving those around us looks like.

Christ didn’t pay attention to popularity, wealth, or status, but instead treated every person He came in contact with as a friend who deserved compassion, acceptance, and understanding.

To Jesus, good relationships—both with His Father and with humans—were above all earthly comforts and pleasures.

And by placing others above Himself and following His Father’s will, He changed lives.

How did Jesus change people’s lives?

Jesus changed people’s lives through the way He interacted with them. He acknowledged their worth and value, met their needs, and then called them to follow Him.

Here are some of the ways He did this in the Bible:

• He performed miracles to bless and help people
• He freed people from their sins 
• He removed burdens of religious restriction and showed how to keep the law
• He showed us what love looks like

He performed miracles to bless and help people

Throughout the four Gospels, Jesus performed many miracles—from calming horrendous storms to raising people from the dead.

In each case, the miracles were not for Himself. He refused to perform miracles to meet His own needs or prove Himself (Matthew 4:3–4). Rather, He performed them to bring healing and emphasize spiritual truths.

John the disciple says that the works of Jesus were so many that “if they were written one by one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that would be written” (John 21:25, NKJV).

So, a list of some of the miracles will have to suffice:

• He turned water into wine (John 2:1–11).
• He stilled a storm on the sea (Mark 4:35–41).
• He fed 5,000 people using five loaves and two fishes (John 6:1–14).
• He walked on water (Matthew 14:22–33).
• He healed a leper (Mark 1:40–45).
• He healed and forgave a paralytic (Luke 5:17–26).
• He healed a blind man at Bethsaida (Mark 8:22–26).
• He cast out an unclean spirit from a man (Luke 4:31–37).
• He healed two demon-possessed men (Matthew 8:28–34).
• He raised Jairus’ daughter from the dead (Luke 8:40–56).
• He raised Lazarus from the dead (John 11:1–44).

And while Jesus’ miracles were important, they don’t really get to the core of how Jesus changed people’s lives. Find out more next.

He freed people from their sins

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Jesus changed lives by offering people forgiveness and freedom from sin. Jesus didn’t just heal physically; He offered spiritual healing from the sickness of sin. He did this by lifting guilt and condemnation and showing that victory is possible.

The forgiveness that Jesus offered was (and still is) revolutionary, especially for a people and culture who had practiced animal sacrifices for forgiveness and had lost sight of what they pointed to.

Can you imagine practicing that and then realizing that the God who forgives sins is walking among you?

It was so revolutionary that when Jesus proclaimed to someone that their sins were forgiven, the scribes and Pharisees exclaimed: “Who is this who speaks blasphemies? Who can forgive sins but God alone?” (Luke 5:21, NKJV).

They didn’t know that they were talking to God Himself.

Jesus changed people’s lives by forgiving their sins, but He also changed them by offering them freedom from their sins.

Consider again the story of the woman caught in adultery.

The scribes and Pharisees who brought the woman demanded that she receive the punishment of death as prescribed in the law of Moses for adultery (John 8:5).

But Jesus knew the hearts of these men and their hypocrisy: “He who is without sin among you, let him throw a stone at her first” (John 8:7, NKJV).

After the men had left in a huff, Jesus turned to the woman:

“‘Where are those accusers of yours? Has no one condemned you?’ She said, ‘No one, Lord.’ And Jesus said to her, ‘Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more’” (John 8:7–11, NKJV).

Jesus commanded her to “go and sin no more.” She no longer had to live under the power and condemnation of sin that had held her in its grip. Jesus gave her forgiveness and freedom.

At the same time, Jesus took the law that the Pharisees had twisted and set things right again.

He removed the burdens of religious restriction and showed how to keep the law

The people of the day took the Ten Commandments and applied them so harshly and legalistically that they were keeping the letter of the law without keeping the spirit of the law.

The teachings of Jesus showed them how to return to the spirit of the law.

For example, in the Sermon on the Mount, one of Jesus’ famous sermons, He talked about how the law says not to murder and not to commit adultery. But He took it down to the heart level by pointing out that hatred is just as much of a sin as murder, and lust is just as much of a sin as adultery (Matthew 5).

The law is meant to be a means for changing our lives, not just a set of rules to blindly follow.

Jesus summed up what the law is actually all about when He was asked which law is the most important:

“‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets” (Matthew 22:37–40, NKJV).

This was shocking to the Pharisees. They were keeping the law, but they were failing to love others, and they were failing to truly love God.

Jesus makes it clear: love is at the core of the law of God. And to obey it requires a heart transformation. This was certainly a paradigm shift and a life-changing idea.

Speaking of love…

Jesus changed lives by showing people what love looks like

Jesus’ life is the perfect example of love. His selfless, other-centered ministry was the foundation of the early Christian church. And it continues to inspire us to treat others with this same kind of love today.

All of the previous points—His miracles, freedom from sin, and reframing of the law—are examples of His love for us.

But perhaps the greatest and most poignant example of love is His choice to die for us so that we could be healed from sin-sickness.

Let’s discover more about this amazing display of love now.

Jesus’ death and resurrection

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Jesus’ death and resurrection are the core of the story of salvation. They are the climax of Jesus’ life and the greatest example of selfless love.

The build-up to Jesus’ death and ultimate resurrection was certainly a tense one.

During His time on earth, Jesus gained a large following. But with that came a large opposition as well.

There was always someone who opposed His teachings, ridiculed Him, or falsely accused Him. Jesus was constantly persecuted by religious leaders who didn’t believe He was the Messiah (Matthew 9:34).

About three years into His ministry, Judas Iscariot—one of His disciples—betrayed Him in exchange for 30 pieces of silver (Matthew 26:14–16).

Jesus was arrested in the Garden of Gethsemane by Roman soldiers and put on trial. The Pharisees misconstrued His words about being a king of the Jews and accused Him of rebelling against the Roman Empire (Mark 14:53–65; John 18:33–37). Roman law stated that rebellion against the king was to be punished by death.

Then He was brought before the Roman governor, Pontius Pilate, who was not confident that Jesus was worthy of punishment. But because he was afraid of the people’s reaction towards him, he wanted to give them what they were asking for—the death of Jesus.

Pilate openly let the Jews know that he didn’t find any fault in Jesus that deserved death. He even washed his hands before them, symbolizing that he wasn’t going to take responsibility for Jesus’ death. Then, he handed Jesus over to the people to be beaten and crucified (Mark 15:16–20).

After being led to Calvary, a site outside Jerusalem, the Son of the living God was crucified.

In the first century, crucifixion was the most painful and humiliating death imaginable. It was used to kill criminals, slaves, and enemies of the Roman government.

So Jesus died the death of a criminal.

But it wasn’t the crucifixion that killed Jesus. Jesus died from the weight of the sins of the world and the pain of separation from His Father (Mark 15:34; 2 Corinthians 5:21; Isaiah 53). In fact, it was unusual for crucified individuals to die as quickly as Jesus did.¹

During His short time on the cross, the whole world and all the heavens mourned Him. The sky became completely dark, the earth shook, and the temple curtain split from top to bottom (Matthew 27:45, 51–53).

After being buried on Friday night, He rested in the grave on the Sabbath and, as prophesied, resurrected on the third day (Psalm 16:9–11).

Some women went to embalm Jesus’ body on the Sunday morning after His death. But they found the tomb open, and an angel of the Lord announced, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here; for He is risen, as He said” (Matthew 28:5–6, NKJV).

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The women ran to tell the other followers of Jesus about His resurrection but met Jesus along the way. He instructed them saying, “Go and tell My brethren to go to Galilee, and there they will see Me” (Matthew 28:10, NKJV).

Jesus appeared to His disciples on different occasions for a period of 40 days. Then finally, on His last day on earth, they witnessed Him ascend to heaven (Acts 1:9–11).

At that time, Jesus promised His disciples (and us) that He will send the Holy Spirit to guide, comfort, and give them the power to live righteous lives and witness for Him to other people (Acts 1:8–9)—the fulfillment of this promise began on the Day of Pentecost (Acts 2).

And as Jesus was ascending into heaven, an angel talked with His watching disciples and gave them the promise of His return. He said:

“This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven” (Acts 1:11, NKJV).

Because of this, we have the hope and security that Jesus will come again to take us to heaven, which is the beautiful result of accepting Him as Savior.

Jesus’ role in the plan of salvation

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Jesus’ death on the cross paid the price for the sin of humanity. It fulfilled the justice demanded by the violation of God’s law. In other words, His death was a sacrificial offering for the salvation of humanity (Matthew 20:28).

This was symbolized in the Old Testament sanctuary service where God commanded that a lamb was to be sacrificed for sin.

When the people sinned, they had to bring a perfect lamb, free from all blemishes, that would take on their sins. This lamb was called a sacrificial lamb.

When Jesus started His ministry, John the Baptist called Him “the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world” (John 1:29, NKJV).

So, when Jesus died on the cross for us, He became that lamb offering. He was sinless and perfect in all aspects of His character. And even though He didn’t have to, He proved His love for the human race by giving His life for us. His death gives us eternal life and makes it possible for us to be reconciled to God.

The Bible clearly states that “the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 6:23, NKJV).

Through Christ, we are able to have eternity with Him, instead of eternal death.

What Jesus can be for us today

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Jesus’ gift of salvation can be received and enjoyed by anyone. If you receive it by faith, you can grow in your relationship with Him and have your experience enriched each day.

And to help us live a righteous life, He is our perfect example and mediator in heaven.

Jesus is the only way to salvation for the human race. And He wants you to experience all that He had in mind when He came down to live on this sinful earth to give us hope and a bright future.

Jesus also wants you to know Him as your faithful friend. He hears us when we pray, guides us in our difficulties, and rejoices with us in our victories. He never changes. He is the one who was, is, and will forever be our God (Hebrews 13:8).

For Seventh-day Adventists, Jesus is central to all our beliefs. And we believe that the Word of God is the perfect place to get to know Him and build a relationship with Him.

Want to learn more about Jesus and how He wants you to live eternally?

Related Articles 

1.  “The History and Pathology of Crucifixion,” South African Medical Journal. [↵]

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Jesus and John the Baptist were relatives(Luke 1:36). But the significance of their relationship was far beyond the family tree. They were interconnected in prophecy, ministry, and mission.

Jesus Christ fulfilled Old Testament prophecies when He came to earth as the Messiah. But John the Baptist also had a role. He was the one who set the stage for Jesus’s arrival and prepared people to meet their Savior (Isaiah 40:3-5).

As far as direct interactions go, the Bible only documents a few. But there’s a lot we can learn about how Jesus and John regarded each other as co-laborers for a higher purpose. So let’s look at:

• The family ties of Jesus and John the Baptist
• Their relationship in prophecy
• Their relationship in mission
• Why their relationship is meaningful for us, even today

First, let’s confirm the family roots they had in common.

The family ties of Jesus and John the Baptist

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In Luke 1, we learn that Jesus and John were second cousins and close in age.

Not much else is documented about either of their childhoods, however, so we don’t know how much interaction they had in their younger years. It certainly is possible that they could’ve come in contact when they were growing up. Their families may have gathered together on occasion, or they might’ve seen each other on trips to Jerusalem for annual feast days. We just don’t know for sure.

But quite a bit was written about their births. Jesus and John the Baptist both came from divinely-blessed situations that set them up as significant spiritual figures.

Both of their births were foretold by angels (verses 13-20; 28-38), and both of them were a result of miraculous pregnancies.

Jesus was born to Mary, who was a virgin (verses 27, 34). And Mary’s relatives, Elizabeth, gave birth to John after she was well past childbearing age (verses 7, 36).

Before they were born, they did “meet” once. Mary traveled to visit Elizabeth when they were both pregnant. When she arrived, we’re told that Elizabeth was “filled with the Holy Spirit” and that her “leaped inside her” (verse 41, ESV).

It sounds like the two unborn babies, both destined for world-changing lives, already sensed each other’s presence. They were filled with the Holy Spirit right from the start (verses 15, 35, 41).

The relationship of Jesus and John the Baptist in prophecy

As we learned from their birth experiences, both Jesus and John the Baptist were prophetically linked. We see this in the prophecies that predict Jesus’ arrival as humanity’s Messiah, Savior, and sacrificial Lamb.

According to Matthew 3:3 and John 1:23, John the Baptist fulfilled Isaiah’s prophecy as “the voice of one crying out: Prepare the way of the Lord in the wilderness; make a straight highway for our God in the desert” (Isaiah 40:3, CSB)

So John’s foretold purpose was to inform and prepare people before Jesus showed up.

That might sound like a simple job, but considering the nature of humanity, it would be much needed. It’s likely that the people of John’s time had grown spiritually complacent, especially after being ruled by other nations for so long. So John’s objective was to remind the people about the prophesied Messiah and renew their hope. He called for everyone to believe, get baptized, and change their lives for the better “because the kingdom of heaven has come near!” (Matthew 3:2, CSB).

The prophet Malachi also gave John a description similar to Isaiah’s:

“Behold, I send My messenger, and he will prepare the way before Me. And the Lord, whom you seek, will suddenly come to His temple, even the Messenger of the covenant, in whom you delight. Behold, He is coming” (Malachi 3:1, NKJV).

Again, John is foretold to go ahead of Jesus and to be a messenger who lays the groundwork for His earthly ministry.

Prophecy also connects John the Baptist with the prophet Elijah, who had a close relationship with God and was also on a mission to help Israel repent from the influence of corrupted leadership (1 Kings 17–2 Kings 2). In Matthew 11:13-14, Jesus refers to John as “the Elijah” from prophecy:

“For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John. And if you’re willing to accept it, he is the Elijah who is to come” (CSB).

We can look back in the book of Malachi to find:

“Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the great and awesome day of the Lord comes. And he will turn the hearts of the fathers to their children, and the hearts of the children to their fathers” (Malachi 4:5-6, ESV).

That same verse is referenced when the angel tells John’s father, Zacharias—or Zechariah, that he and Elizabeth will have a son:

“And he will go before Him in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of fathers to their children, and the disobedient to the understanding of the righteous, to make ready for the Lord a prepared people” (Luke 1:17, CSB).

So John the Baptist was linked to Jesus not just by a blood relationship, but through prophecy. And “in the spirit and power of Elijah,” John indeed fulfilled his predicted role of turning people’s hearts toward their Savior.

This gives us the framework for understanding how Jesus and John were so closely related in mission. Both their ministries were about restoring humanity’s hope—and helping them understand where (or through Whom) that hope comes from.

The relationship of Jesus and John the Baptist in mission

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Now we get to look at how Jesus and John were united in the fulfillment of messianic prophecy. John’s ministry (messenger/preparer) complemented Jesus’ ministry (Messiah/Savior).

John was the forerunner. The primer. The stage setter. He helped re-establish people’s faith in their Redeemer so they could be ready to receive Him.

We can see John’s love and respect for Jesus in how seriously he took his role—it governed his whole life. He lived away from society, survived on locusts and honey, and dressed in camel hair and a leather belt (Matthew 3:4; Mark 1:6, and like Elijah in 2 Kings 1:8). His days were spent preaching and baptizing at the Jordan River (Mark 1:5; Luke 3:3), and also in Aenon (John 3:23).

And people came in droves to hear him. We read that “Jerusalem, all Judea, and all the region around the Jordan went out to him and were baptized by him in the Jordan, confessing their sins” (Matthew 3:5-6, NKJV).

Yet even with this important role and a throng of followers, John did not become proud. He knew his place. And he made sure the people understood his place, too:

“He proclaimed, ‘One who is more powerful than I am is coming after me. I am not worthy to stoop down and untie the strap of His sandals’” (Mark 1:7, CSB).

At one point, he even had to remind his own disciples that his whole purpose was to point to Jesus, not to gain authority or influence for himself.

“So they came to John and told him, ‘Rabbi, the one you testified about, and who was with you across the Jordan, is baptizing—and everyone is going to Him.’ John responded … You yourselves can testify that I said, “I am not the Messiah, but I’ve been sent ahead of Him.” … He must increase, but I must decrease’” (John 3:26-30, CSB).

John also understood that his mission for Jesus could be upsetting to the established religious leaders. Most of them were fixated on their heritage instead of maintaining loving, repentant hearts. Like Jesus, it would eventually cost John his life as a result of speaking truth to those in power.

But John’s message to these leaders highlighted some key aspects of Jesus’ ultimate mission for humanity.

“But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to his baptism, he said to them, ‘Brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? Therefore produce fruit consistent with repentance. And don’t presume to say to yourselves, “We have Abraham as our father.” For I tell you that God is able to raise up children for Abraham from these stones’” (Matthew 3:7-9, CSB).

He wanted to make it clear to these pious religious leaders that, despite their lineage from Abraham, they had become an opposing force to the plan of salvation. And if they didn’t repent, they would be judged accordingly. He also pointed out that only Jesus is worthy and able to judge people’s hearts. Jesus is the one they should pay attention to.

“The ax is already at the root of the trees. Therefore, every tree that doesn’t produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire. I baptize you with water for repentance … He Himself will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire” (Matthew 3:10-11, CSB).

John was giving the Pharisees and Sadducees a wake-up call by comparing them to a tree bearing bad fruit, meaning they needed to change their self-serving ways. He was hoping to prepare them to receive Jesus and the purifying work of the Holy Spirit.

So John and Jesus went about their missions with clear awareness and acknowledgment of what the other was doing. But as for face-to-face interactions between the two, the only one recorded in Scripture is when Jesus approaches John for baptism (Matthew 3:13-17; Mark 1:7-11; Luke 3:21-22; John 1:26-37).

And this interaction happened to be an incredibly significant moment. John’s mission to preach about the Coming messiah was reaching its completion—just as Jesus’ public ministry as the Messiah was beginning.

John was initially surprised at Jesus’ request to be baptized by him. But Jesus affirmed John’s role as His forerunner and the initiator of His earthly ministry. “This is the way to fulfill all righteousness” (Matthew 3:15, CSB).

When Jesus came up out of the water from His baptism, a voice from heaven pronounced that He was indeed the Son of God, doing exactly what He was meant to do (Matthew 3:16-17).

John’s mission paved the way for Jesus to do His.

Why is Jesus’s relationship with John the Baptist important?

The story of Jesus and John reminds us that:

• Any person can be used by God for important things
• Serving God isn’t always easy
• Jesus is there for us, even when we’re having a hard time

While John the Baptist got to herald the arrival of Jesus Christ Himself, he’s not the only person in the Bible to serve as a messenger. He shares this role with other prophets like Noah, Jonah, Elijah, and Samuel. Throughout the Bible, we can see how God frequently used ordinary individuals as messengers to prepare people for a major event.

We can also be messengers for God, even today. And we can learn a lot from John’s life and his relationship with Jesus.

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Near the end of his life, John grew discouraged. He’d spoken out against powerful men and ended up in prison.

While locked away, John started to doubt if he’d done things right. Was this how things were supposed to work out? Announce the coming Messiah…and then get arrested and sentenced to death?

Even this great messenger had his low points. He felt the need to send a couple of his disciples to find Jesus and ask Him, “Are You the Coming One, or do we look for another?” (Matthew 11:2-3, NKJV).

But Jesus sent encouraging words back to John (much like He did for Elijah in 1 Kings 19:13-18).

“The blind are made to see. Those who could not walk are walking. Those who have had bad skin diseases are healed. Those who could not hear are hearing. The dead are raised up to life and the Good News is preached to poor people. He is happy who is not ashamed of me and does not turn away because of Me” (Matthew 11:5-6, NASB).

Jesus assured John that even though he wasn’t able to see it at that moment, miraculous things were happening. The Gospel was spreading. Their mission was being accomplished.

Jesus even said about John, “Assuredly, I say to you, among those born of women there has not risen one greater than John the Baptist” (Matthew 11:11, NKJV).

So when we’re going about our lives and sharing the love of God, we might also encounter hardship or opposition.

Now, this doesn’t mean we’re all destined to confront government officials and get thrown into prison. But being a representative of God in a world that can be uncaring and shallow…it will get hard sometimes.

So it can be easy to doubt if we’re on the right track, or if God really can use us to make good things happen.

But God alone sees the big picture. Our job is to yield to Him who does the real work of healing, forgiving, judging, and saving. As long as we aspire to live loving lives as His messengers, and as long as we make ourselves open to His Holy Spirit’s leading, we are indeed on the right track.

The call to be a messenger of the Gospel was given to all of us (Matthew 28:19-20; Acts 1:8; 1 Peter 3:15). Jesus will return one day soon (John 14:1-3), and we can share this Good News with a broken, disheartened world. By our words and actions, we can also turn people’s hearts toward Jesus—the One who sees all, loves all, and wants to save all.

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During Jesus’ ministry on earth, He selected certain individuals to help with and continue His work. They would be referred to during that time as His “disciples.”

Jesus’ choices were interesting: 12 individuals from different places, professions, and positions became His inner circle. They left their homes and jobs to walk with Him, live with Him, and learn from Him. Almost like apprentices.

Jesus trained His disciples to understand His mission as the Messiah and then to establish the early Christian church that would spread His gospel message all over the world.

This was a big undertaking for these selected human beings. So let’s take a closer look at:

• What it means to be a disciple
• Why Jesus chose disciples
• How God used His disciples
• A profile of each of His disciples

What is a disciple?

Generally speaking, a disciple is a committed follower of an influential person. But discipleship is more than just following someone’s ideals or agreeing with their philosophy.

A disciple typically has a deeper reason for following someone, often with the intent of learning from that person and exemplifying what they stand for.

While that was certainly the case for Jesus’ disciples, following Him went even deeper than that. Being His disciples meant a close, personal relationship with Him as well.

They didn’t just follow Jesus around and listen to Him preach. Their involvement with Jesus encompassed their whole lives.

Why did Jesus have disciples?

If Jesus is the Son of God, why did He need humans to follow Him around and work for Him?

God is relational and His message is relatable

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We were created to live and learn about life in the context of relationships. When God chose His disciples, He chose individuals who were willing to enter into a life-changing friendship.

Many of the principles He taught during His earthly ministry had to do with how to treat one another, how to break down unnecessary barriers, and how people’s actions should be based on love rather than on hierarchies or traditions.

Often, His own disciples were the ones who needed these lessons most. And through their learning experiences, we all get to learn from them as well.

And because of this, everything Jesus talked about could more easily be related to our daily human struggles. We can understand complex principles and virtues because we get to read about how things played out when Jesus was teaching these things to His disciples.

And through the way Jesus taught and nurtured His disciples, we get to see a glimpse of what God the Father is truly like (John 14:6, 9).

They reveal human potential

Jesus often chooses humans to be part of His plans in special ways. It demonstrates to us all that anyone can be used by God, and we all are given unique gifts that help show the love of Jesus to everyone around us.

God knows that any one of us ordinary people can do extraordinary things if we allow His power to work within us. This was evident in the lives of many of His disciples.

Jesus even commanded them to do things that no other human can do:

“And when He had called His twelve disciples to Him, He gave them power over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all kinds of sickness and all kinds of disease” (Matthew 10:1, NKJV).

“And as you go, preach, saying, ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand.’ Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out demons. Freely you have received, freely give” (Matthew 10:7, 8, NKJV).

Giving all the glory and credit to God, His disciples showed “signs and wonders” (Acts 2:43; 5:12) and healed many (Acts 3:1–11; 3:16; 5:15, 16; 9:36–43).

And starting with only these 12 people, the gospel began to spread all over the earth.

They demonstrate spiritual growth through God’s patient love

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The 12 called by Jesus early in the New Testament involved themselves in vital ministry work. But they also doubted (John 20:24–29; Mark 16:11–13). They were also stubborn, perhaps spiteful, possibly power-hungry in moments.

And—even after witnessing the ministry of Jesus for several years—one denied his association with Him while others failed Him (Matthew 26:31–35). One would ultimately betray him (Luke 22:1–6).

But Jesus didn’t give up on them. Instead, every tough situation they went through, He made sure they came out of it stronger. They learned so much as Jesus’ disciples. Even if they had to learn some things the hard way.

He transformed the disciples through the power of love and forgiveness. They, in turn, helped transform the world.

Following Jesus’ death and resurrection, the disciples shared their faith as far as possible—making more disciples of Jesus in the process. They traveled throughout the Roman Empire, through Asia Minor, and beyond.

How did He choose the disciples?

At the beginning of His ministry, He chose the twelve disciples carefully and prayerfully with His Father’s help.

“Now it came to pass in those days that He went out to the mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God” (Luke 6:12, NKJV).

When he returned from praying,

“He called His disciples to Himself; and from them He chose twelve whom He also named apostles:
Simon, whom He also named Peter, and Andrew his brother;
James and John;
Philip and Bartholomew;
Matthew and Thomas;
James the son of Alphaeus,
and Simon called the Zealot;
Judas the son of James,
and Judas Iscariot who also became a traitor” (Luke 6:13–16, NKJV).

Jesus recruited from His community. The economy was varied, and that variety presented itself among the 12.

He chose fishermen (Andrew, Peter, James, and John).

He enlisted a hated tax collector (Matthew).

He selected at least one who desired to overthrow the government (Simon the Zealot).

One was perhaps of royal heritage (Bartholomew).

The 12 represented various walks of life. And they all left what they were doing so they could follow Jesus.

How did God use the disciples?¹

Jesus prepared His disciples in many ways during His brief time with them. He shared all He had with His disciples. His wisdom, His knowledge of heaven, and eventually spiritual gifts were all given.

Bevins, Winfield, “How Jesus Made Disciples,” GCD, June 4, 2012. https://gcdiscipleship.com/article-feed/2012/06/04/how-jesus-made-disciples

Jesus was a living example in His every move. He demonstrated an unshakable faith. The work of the early church would require many in different roles of service. He taught that all disciples were part of His body.

Sharing (impartation).
Jesus equipped the 12 by sharing gifts His Father provided Him. He shared all of His Scriptural and spiritual knowledge. He taught them about God the Father and the Holy Spirit.

In addition, Jesus, working with God and the Holy Spirit, provided the 12 with the power to do miraculous things.

Demonstration.
In everything Jesus said and did, He was an example (1 Peter 2:21). He showed the disciples how to live in every action and word. Jesus walked in complete faith. Through His demonstration, the disciples learned to work together, “fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before Him He endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God” (Hebrews 12:2, NIV).

Delegation.
Jesus taught His disciples that, when you follow Him, you become part of His body (Ephesians 4:16). Each part of the body has a function. The early church reflected this teaching.

Now you are the body of Christ, and members individually. And God has appointed these in the church: first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, varieties of tongues” (1 Corinthians 12: 27–28).

Who were the 12 disciples?^{2 3 4}

Let’s get to know each of the 12.

Peter (Simon who is called Peter)

Peter, son of Jonas and brother of Andrew, was also known as Simon (John 1:43; Acts 15:14). Peter and his brother were fishermen (Matthew 4:18–19) who lived in Bethsaida and Capernaum. Peter was married when Jesus gave the call to follow Him (1 Corinthians 9:5).

Peter stood out as the leader and spokesman of the disciples. He was the first of the disciples to declare to Jesus, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God” (Matthew 16:16, NKJV). The Bible shows Peter as a flawed man who denied Jesus in the darkest hours (Luke 22:54–62). Even so, he was redeemed by Jesus before His ascension to heaven (John 21, Acts 1).

Andrew

Andrew was originally a disciple of John the Baptist (Mark 1:16–18). It was Andrew who brought his brother to Jesus (John 1:40). They introduced many to Jesus, who became their greatest purpose. Andrew is described as “living in his brother’s shadow” but was optimistic and bold. He was considered a very passionate speaker for Jesus.

James

James(known as James the Elder, James Boanerges, or James the Greater) was a son of Zebedee and Salome. He was also a brother of John the disciple. James is never mentioned in the Bible apart from John (Mark 1:19–20; Matthew 4:21; Luke 5:1–11). The brothers were fishermen who lived in Bethsaida, Capernaum, and Jerusalem. James was the first of the 12 disciples to face a martyr’s death (Acts 12:1, 2). Preaching throughout Jerusalem and Judea, James showed tremendous courage and forgiveness.

John

John Boanerges (or John the Evangelist) was a fisherman and brother to James. He is referred to as “the other disciple, whom Jesus loved” (John 20:2, NKJV). John is noted for his temper and intolerance but was profoundly devoted to Jesus. His New Testament words speak more of love than any other author. He was exiled to Patmos and, following his release, led churches in Asia. John was the only disciple to not die a martyr.

Philip

Philip came from Bethsaida, same as Peter and Andrew (John 1:44). It is generally accepted that he was also a fisherman. He is one of the first whom Jesus told to “follow Me” (John 1:43). Phillip demonstrated a “healthy” skepticism, a simple faith in Jesus, and a heart for missionary work. Philip preached in Phrygia, Greece, and Syria.

Bartholomew

Bartholomew, also known as Nathanael, was a son of Talmai who lived in Cana. Scholars believe he was the only disciple to come from royal blood. Bartholomew’s name appears in every list of the disciples (Matthew 10:3; Mark 3:18; Luke 6:14; Acts 1:13). The New Testament shows him as a great searcher of Scripture. He preached in Phrygia, Armenia, and India, where he adopted the Book of Matthew into their language.

Thomas

Thomas Didymus, at times called Judas or “Doubting Thomas,” lived in Galilee. He appeared at the raising of Lazarus (John 11:2–16). During the night of Jesus’ betrayal, Thomas’ question prompted Jesus to say, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me” (John 14:6, NKJV). Thomas’ doubts were woven into faith.

Matthew

Mathew (also known as Levi) was a publican or tax collector. Tax collectors were despised, regarded as criminals, and considered no better than harlots and Gentiles (Matthew 18:17; Matthew 21:31, 33; Matthew 9;10; Mark 2:15,16; Luke 5:30). Jesus took a hated man and made him a devoted follower. In addition, Matthew was the first to share His teachings through writing. Several of the 12 would help author what we know as the New Testament books.

James (the son of Alphaeus)

James (the Lesser or Younger), son of Alphaeus, lived in Galilee. He was the brother of Jude and the oldest of the disciples. There is not much information about him in the New Testament. James is present in the Upper Room following Jesus’ ascension to heaven (Acts 1).

Jude (Labbaeus, whose surname was Thaddaeus)

Jude was a brother of James the Younger.
In Mark 3:18 he is called Thaddaeus. In Matthew 10:3 he is called Lebbaeus. In Luke 6:16 and Acts 1:13 he is called Judas. In addition to these names, he was also known as Judas the Zealot. Jesus took a man hungry for power and prone to violence and showed the way of love. Jude passionately spread the gospel of Jesus.

Simon

Simon the Zealot is also known as Simon Zelotes (Luke 6:15; Acts 1:13). He lived in Galilee. Simon is referred to as a Canaanite (Matthew 10:4; Mark 3:18). Zealots were fanatical and full of hatred for Rome. Simon was transformed by his experience with Jesus. He was also in the Upper Room of Jerusalem when Jesus ascended to heaven. He preached on the west coast of Africa and in England.

Judas

Judas Iscariot lived in Kerioth. He was a Judean while the rest of the disciples were Galileans. It is said he was good with money and acted as a treasurer for the disciples. He betrayed Jesus for thirty pieces of silver (Matthew 26:14,16). Instead of seeking forgiveness following this betrayal, he hanged himself (Matthew 27:3–5).

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Discipleship is a work of love

The 12 were complicated human beings and carried out a complicated work of love. Their work allowed the early church to flourish and the message to be shared throughout the world. There is hope and salvation through Jesus.

We are also called, in our ordinary nature, to do extraordinary work. We can function as His disciples and continue sharing the message. We have a Savior and He loves all of us. Our sins are forgiven, our shame is unnecessary. He longs to return and be with us forever.

We are no more or less complicated or ordinary than the 12. Their experience with Jesus caused them to grow in amazing ways. We are encouraged to have our own experience with Jesus.

Discipleship causes us to more deeply experience Jesus and His love.

[2] Nelson, Ryan, “Who Were the 12 Apostles? The Complete Guide,” OverviewBible, Sept. 4, 2019. https://overviewbible.com/12-apostles/

[3] “Who Were the 12 Disciples?” BibleInfo, bibleinfo.com. https://www.bibleinfo.com/en/questions/who-were-twelve-disciples

[4] Allyson, Holland, “Who Were the 12 Disciples and What Should We Know About Them?” Crosswalk.com, Jan. 27, 2020. https://www.crosswalk.com/faith/bible-study/who-were-the-12-disciples-and-what-should-we-know-about-them.html

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Scripture reveals that Jesus Christ had a significant role in the Old Testament long before His incarnation as the Messiah.

You might be familiar with the idea that the Old Testament refers to Jesus in a variety of types, symbols, and Messianic prophecies (Luke 24:44-48). But some verses also suggest He appeared physically before His incarnation as a human.

Because He wasn’t given His earthly name until He was born to Mary, these appearances don’t mention Him by the name “Jesus” (Matthew 1:21). Instead, He is described by the way He appears or functions in a story—sometimes manifesting as an angel, a man, or even fire!

We’ll unpack these stories and see what they can tell us about Jesus’ role in the Old Testament:

• The Word at Creation
• The Angel of the Lord
• The Commander of the Lord’s Army
• The Son of God
• Jesus in prophetic visions
• Why Jesus’ presence in the Old Testament matters

Let’s start by talking about Jesus’ presence at Creation.

The Word

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The Bible first hints at Jesus’ involvement with humanity in Genesis 1:26, when God says, “Let Us make mankind in Our image” (NKJV). And again, after Adam and Eve sin and God says, “The man has become like one of Us, to know good and evil” (Genesis 3:22, NKJV).

The plural pronouns in these passages suggest the presence of at least two members of the Godhead.

Later, the book of John confirms Jesus’ role at Creation. It speaks of the presence of the Word, the flesh begotten by God (John 1:14):

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made” (John 1:1-4, NKJV).

This is precisely why some Bible scholars believe Jesus was present at the Creation of the world in His pre-incarnate form.¹

He played a personal part in our creation and watched our fall (Colossians 1:15-17). He first loved us as His creation and then came to save us even when we sinned against Him.

But before He died on the Cross, He served humanity by acting as God’s messenger.

The Angel of the Lord

The Angel of the Lord is a mysterious figure who appears throughout the Old Testament to deliver messages from God.

While God has certainly sent various “angels of the Lord” to deliver messages for Him, “the Angel of the Lord” seems to be a special being.

The Angel is often referred to as God or Lord.² And when people see the Angel of the Lord, they say they’ve seen God Himself.³ They even bow down to worship him (Joshua 5:14; Judges 13:17-21), which is something normal angels have refused to receive. After all, only God has the right to accept worship as our God and Creator (Revelation 22:8-9).

Strong’s Bible concordance supports the idea that this Angel may “indicate a manifestation of God Himself.”⁴ Many theologians believe this Angel is Jesus.⁵

To be clear, the word angel doesn’t refer only to a specific group of heavenly beings. The most general sense of the word means “messenger,” and that’s exactly what Jesus does as the Angel of the Lord.⁶

He appears in various stories, giving messages of comfort and guidance to the people of the Old Testament.

However, this doesn’t mean He was an angel or any kind of created being.

Like the rest of the Godhead, He has existed forever (Micah 5:2; John 1:1). No one has ever “made” God the Son.

But because He’s God, and because His pre-incarnate form wasn’t tied to a human body, He could appear in whatever form He chose.

Let’s look at passages that talk about the Angel of the Lord to see what they have to say.

The Angel appears to Hagar (Genesis 16:1-13)

The first time the Bible mentions the Angel of the Lord is in the story of Hagar. In the story, she is running away from her mistress Sarah, Abraham’s wife, when Sarah becomes jealous of the child Hagar had with Abraham.

Hagar finds herself by a spring when the Angel of the Lord appears to her to comfort her. He tells her to return to Sarah and promises that God will make her son the father of a great nation.

Hagar is reassured by this news and seems to recognize this Angel as God, saying,

“You-Are-the-God-Who-Sees; for she said, ‘Have I also here seen Him who sees me?’” (Genesis 16:13, NKJV).

Many Bible scholars aren’t sure who this figure is.⁷ Some, though, believe this Angel is Jesus Himself.⁸

The Angel appears to Abraham (Genesis 18:2-33)

A figure appears to Abraham to announce the birth of his son, Isaac. Though this figure is described as a man instead of an angel, there seems to be something supernatural about Him.

He arrives accompanied by two other men. Many Bible scholars interpret the man’s companions to be angels, and the man Himself to be a member of the Godhead,⁹ possibly Jesus (Genesis 18:2-5; Hebrews 13:2).¹⁰ Jesus, acting as the Angel of the Lord, seems to have taken on the form of a man to appear to Abraham (Hebrews 13:2).

This is further suggested by the way “the Lord” is suddenly referred to in the story as though He had been one of the three messengers all along (Genesis 18:13).

The one referred to as the Lord continues to speak with Abraham, who attempts to bargain with Him about the fate of Sodom. This messenger amends His message as Abraham pleads with Him.

A mere messenger, even an angel, wouldn’t be able to make a decision on God’s behalf. It’s very likely this messenger was God Himself.

The Angel appears to Jacob (Genesis 32:24-26)

A figure, sometimes spoken of as a man (Genesis 32:24), and sometimes spoken of as an angel or God (Hosea 12:3-4), appears to Jacob as he prays for deliverance from his brother Esau.

The man wrestles him, beating him with one finger, and Jacob realizes that this is no ordinary man.¹¹ He grabs onto Him, refusing to release the figure until He blesses him. The figure agrees to bless Jacob and make him a strong nation, which is something only God can promise.

Notably, Jacob says that in seeing this man, He has seen God (Genesis 32:30). All of this information points scholars to believe this figure is Jesus Christ.¹²

The Angel appears to Moses (Exodus 3:2-16; 13:21-22; 14:19)

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The Angel of the Lord appears to Moses several times.

While other accounts might describe the Angel of the Lord as a man or angel, He appears to Moses as fire.

The first time is when God calls Moses to lead the Israelites. He sends the Angel of the Lord to appear to Moses as a burning bush.

While the Bible says the Angel of the Lord is in the bush, it also suggests that God is in the bush, hinting that the Angel of the Lord and God are one and the same (Exodus 3:2, 4-6).

When Moses asks God what He should be called, God describes His name as, “I AM WHO I AM” (Exodus 3:14). The fact that Jesus also describes Himself as the “I AM” when the Pharisees ask who He is further cements that this being is none other than Jesus (John 8:58), as many scholars suggest.¹³

Later on, the Angel of the Lord returns to help Moses lead the Israelites. He appears as a pillar of fire and cloud to guide them after they leave Egypt. This angel is also believed by scholars to be Jesus.¹⁴

The Angel appears to Gideon (Judges 6:1-24)

The Angel of the Lord appears to encourage a young man named Gideon to fight the nations oppressing God’s people.

It is here that Gideon addresses the Angel as “the Lord,” suggesting that the Angel is someone in the Godhead, namely, Jesus.

Gideon also makes a burnt offering, which this Angel accepts by creating fire to consume the sacrifice. Accepting a sacrifice and worship gives us more evidence of His identity as God.¹⁵

The Angel appears to Samson’s parents (Judges 13:2-22)

The Angel of the Lord appears to tell a barren woman that she will give birth to a son.
The woman and her husband gladly receive His news and ask for further instruction in raising their son, who would later be known as Samson.

In answer to their prayer, the Angel of the Lord appears to them again and repeats His instruction. He asks for a burnt offering and sends fire to consume it, disappearing from view by ascending into its flames.

This is another instance where an Angel accepts a burnt offering by consuming it with fire. This suggests this Angel is part of the Godhead, possibly Jesus.¹⁶

The possibility is further supported by the fact that when the couple sees the Angel accept the offering and disappear, the husband exclaims that he would die for seeing God (Judges 13:22).

The Commander of the Lord’s Army (Joshua 5:13-15)

In addition to the possibility that Jesus appeared as a messenger in the Old Testament, the Bible also seems to indicate that He came as a victor over the enemies of God’s people.

While this might seem like a different picture of the Jesus we’re familiar with, it’s important to point out that while Jesus is peaceful and gentle, Jesus is also a defender and a leader. He’s capable of protecting His people (Revelation 17:14).

Revelation even describes Jesus as a leader of the heavenly armies (19:11-16). So it really isn’t difficult to imagine Jesus’ taking on the role of the Commander of the Lord’s Army in the Old Testament.

This understanding may help explain the mysterious figure that appears to Joshua before the Battle of Jericho.

Joshua is preparing to attack the city when a man appears to him with a sword. He tells Joshua that He is the Commander of the Lord’s Army. In response, Joshua bows down to Him and calls Him Lord, seemingly recognizing Him as one of the Godhead.

The Commander even asks that Joshua take off His shoes because He is standing on holy ground. These clues offer further evidence that this figure is Jesus.¹⁷

The Son of God in the Fiery Furnace (Daniel 3:16-25)

A mysterious figure appears to Daniel’s Jewish friends, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, when they’re thrown into a fiery furnace by the Babylonian King Nebuchadnezzar for refusing to worship a golden image.

Nebuchadnezzar is astonished to see that the Jews are unharmed by the flames, and as he looks closer he is even more surprised to find that someone else is standing in the flames with them:

“‘Look!’ he answered, ‘I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire; and they are not hurt, and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God’” (Daniel 3:25, NKJV).

The fact that Nebuchadnezzar compares this being to “the Son of God” (some versions say “Son of Man”) suggests that the figure standing in the flames is Jesus, who went by the same title.¹⁸

Jesus in prophetic visions (Daniel 10:4-6; Zecharaiah 3:1-7)

Aside from the physical appearances of Jesus, the Old Testament mentions instances in which individuals see visions of Him.

In Daniel 10, a heavenly man appears to Daniel in a vision to deliver a prophecy about Persia, Greece, and the fate of Israel. Like Jesus in Revelation 1, this man has priestly clothes, bronze skin, eyes like fire, a face of light, and a mighty voice. These similarities have led Bible scholars to believe this heavenly man is Jesus.¹⁹

He appears in yet another vision, where He defends the High Priest Joshua against Satan (Haggai 1:12; Zechariah 3:1-7).

The vision features the Angel of the Lord, presumed by scholars to be Jesus,²⁰ who offers forgiveness and redemption to Joshua. The Angel does this by taking away his filthy clothes (sin) and replacing them with clean clothes (righteousness) (Zechariah 3:2-5; Job 29:14).

And as only Jesus can cover our sins with His righteousness (Galatians 3:27), it makes sense that this Angel would be Jesus.

Why Jesus’ presence in the Old Testament matters

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Jesus’ presence in the Old Testament demonstrates Jesus’ involvement in our salvation from the very beginning. The story of Jesus is not limited to the New Testament. The entire Bible speaks of His role and consistent character.

In this way, studying the entire Bible can give us a better understanding of who He is.

Here are some ways to start looking for Jesus in the Old Testament:

1. Pray for God to guide your study.
2. Use a Bible concordance to find passages with names that refer to Jesus (Son of Man, Son of God, the Angel of the Lord).
3. Read those passages to discover the context in which Jesus is mentioned.
4. Write down what the passages teach you about the character of Christ.

The more you study, the more you’ll be reminded that the New Testament simply echoes what the Old Testament already tells us about Him (John 5:46; Luke 24:27).

Jesus genuinely cares and provides for us like Hagar (Matthew 14:13-21). He’s a personal God, open to talking to us as He did with Abraham and Sarah (John 4:7-10; John 3:1-21). He fulfills His promises to free us from sin, just like He promised to free Moses and His people from their captors (Luke 8:26-39).

He’s patient with us and gives us confidence when we’re afraid like Gideon was (Luke 5:8-10). He promises to guide us like He guided Samson’s parents in the raising of their son (John 14:25-27). And He gives Christians victory over sinful pasts just as He gave Joshua victory over Jericho (John 8:10-11).

He’s our creator, commander, protector, counselor, messenger, and intercessor.

Jesus has always had a crucial role in our redemption.

He had a special role in appearing to people in the Old and New Testaments. When He died on the Cross, He fulfilled His role as a sacrifice for our sins so we could have eternal life. And He continues His work of interceding for us today in the heavenly sanctuary.

Want to learn what the Bible says about Jesus’ work there?

Related Articles

1. Nichol, F. D., Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, 1978, vol. 1, p. 215. [↵]
2. Exodus 3:2,5-6; Judges 6:11-15; Zechariah 12:8. [↵]
3. Genesis 16:7,13; Judges 6:22; Judges 13:21-22. [↵]
4. Strong, James LL.D, S.T.D., The Strongest Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible, Zondervan, 2001, p. 1665. [↵]
5. Ackland, William, “The Angel of the Lord,” Adventist News Network, June 23, 2021; “Is Michael Another Name for Jesus?” Biblical Research Institute, Feb. 13, 2012. [↵]
6. “Angel,” Merriam-Webster Dictionary. [↵]
7. Nichol, Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, vol. 1, p. 318. [↵]
8. Royo, Daniel, “A God Who Sees and Hears the ‘Other’: Hagar’s Theophany as an Illustration of the Lord’s Benevolence Toward Those Outside the Covenant,” Journal of the Adventist Theological Society, p. 101. [↵]
9. Nichol, Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, vol. 1, p. 326. [↵]
10. White, Ellen Gould, Patriarchs and Prophets, Review and Herald Association, 1890, p. 139. [↵]
11. Ibid., pp.196-197. [↵]
12. Nichol, Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, vol. 1, p. 406; White, Ellen Gould, The Truth About Angels, Pacific Press Publishing Association, 1996, p. 86. [↵]
13. Nichol, Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, vol. 1, p. 509. [↵]
14. Ibid., p. 562. [↵]
15. White, The Truth About Angels, p. 113. [↵]
16. Nichol, Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, vol. 2, 1976, p. 383; White, The Truth About Angels, p. 115. [↵]
17. Nichol, Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, vol. 2, p. 195; White, Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 487. [↵]
18. Nichol, Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, vol. 4, 1977, p. 785; White, Ellen Gould, Prophets and Kings, Pacific Press Publishing Association, 1917, p. 508. [↵]
19. Nichol, Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, vol. 4, p. 858; Mueller, Ekkehardt, “Lessons from Daniel 10,” Biblical Research Institute, p. 2. [↵]
20. Nichol, Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, vol. 4, p. 1092; White, Prophets and Kings, p. 584. [↵]

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Jesus Christ’s baptism marked the beginning of His earthly ministry. It was God’s big reveal regarding who Jesus is.

But have you ever wondered why Jesus Christ, the Son of God, needed to be baptized? Why was God’s response worth noting? And what does Jesus’ baptism mean for Christians?

Let’s dive into Scripture and learn about the following:

• The setting and context of Jesus’s baptism
• How God responded to it
• Why Jesus was baptized
• What it means for us today

We’ll start with some background details.

The setting and context of Jesus’ baptism

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The baptism of Jesus is recorded in the New Testament books of Matthew 3, Mark 1, and Luke 3. He was about 30 years old (Luke 3:23) at the time, and it was before His temptation in the wilderness and before He began His public ministry.

Few events of Jesus’s personal life were recorded before His baptism. The first two chapters of Matthew and Luke give details of His birth and His early experience at the temple in Jerusalem. But other than that, all we know about Him growing up is that He “increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men” (Luke 2:52, NKJV).

And before the Bible starts talking about the event of Jesus’ baptism, we’re introduced to the person who baptized Him.

Matthew, Mark, and Luke all reference Isaiah 40 to remind us of John the Baptist’s prophetic significance.

“For this is he who was spoken of by the prophet Isaiah, saying: ‘The voice of one crying in the wilderness: “Prepare the way of the LORD; Make His paths straight”’” (Matthew 3:3, NKJV, cf Isaiah 40:3).

So the same person who was called to “prepare the way” for the Messiah’s arrival was also the one Jesus approached with the request for baptism.

Matthew provides the dialogue between Jesus and John:

“Then Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan to be baptized by him. And John tried to prevent Him, saying, ‘I need to be baptized by You, and are You coming to me?’ But Jesus answered and said to him, ‘Permit it to be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.’ Then he allowed Him” (Matthew 3:13-15 NKJV).

Baptism was already a standard religious practice for Jews as a declaration of faith and commitment, signaling the beginning of a person’s spiritual journey. Additionally, it was considered a “baptism of repentance,” symbolizing the cleansing from and forgiveness of sins¹ (Luke 3:3).

That being the case, it’s understandable why John was taken aback at Jesus’ request.

After hearing His reasoning, however, John agreed to it. And Jesus Christ, humanity’s Messiah, was baptized in the same traditional manner as everyone else.

But while the act of His baptism was rather unremarkable, what happened next is miraculous. And it helps us understand what this whole story is really about.

God’s response

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After Jesus was raised up out of the water, Matthew 3:16 tells us that “the heavens were opened…” (NKJV). And here we can notice all three members of the Godhead present.

First, “the Holy Spirit descended on him in bodily form, like a dove” (Luke 3:22, ESV).

Even John the Baptist recalled that he “saw the Spirit descending like a dove, and He remained upon Him” (John 1:32, NKJV).

In fact, John had been told to look out for the manifestation of the Spirit of God: “Upon whom you see the Spirit descending… this is He who baptizes with the Holy Spirit” (verse 33, NKJV).

Second, “a voice came from heaven, ‘You are my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased’” (Mark 1:11, NKJV).

The voice is often attributed to God the Father because He calls Jesus His Son, and the Gospel accounts record Jesus referring to God as His Father throughout His ministry (Matthew 18:10, 35; John 5:17-18; 20:17).

And in one instance, Jesus asked the Father to glorify His name, and a voice from heaven responded immediately (John 12:20-28).

So this miraculous moment was God the Father’s recognition and declaration of who Jesus is. It was as if God was flashing a neon sign over His Son, saying, “Yes, this is My Chosen One. He is carrying out My plans and going about My business. Pay attention! You don’t want to miss this!”

Why did Jesus need to be baptized?

One of the biggest questions regarding the baptism of Jesus is why. Baptism has been connected with turning away from sin, so why would He need to be baptized if He was “without sin” and “committed no sin” (Hebrews 4:15, 1 Peter 2:22, NKJV)?

Let’s review the story above and look more closely at what Scripture tells us:

1. It confirmed His identity as the Son of God and the Messiah
2. It marked the beginning of His Messianic mission
3. He was our example and shared in our human experiences
4. It would “fulfill righteousness”

It confirmed His identity as the Son of God and the Messiah

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As we just read above, Jesus’ baptism validated two important parts of His identity: He was the Son of God and the Messiah.

When John declared Jesus to be the Lamb of God, he explained that he knew this because, prior to Jesus approaching him for baptism, John was informed that the Son of God would be the one the Holy Spirit would come down and remain upon:

“I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and he rested on him. I didn’t know him, but he who sent me to baptize with water told me, ‘The one you see the Spirit descending and resting on—he is the one who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.’ I have seen and testified that this is the Son of God” (John 1:32-34, CSB).

Similarly, when Peter shared the Gospel with the Romans, he explained that Jesus was anointed by the Holy Spirit at His baptism, signaling that He was the Messiah, which means “the Anointed One” in Hebrew (Acts 10:37).

It marked the beginning of His work

Especially considering the divine response to Jesus’ baptism, it served as a glorious send-off, an ordination to ministry, and a confirmation that Jesus was ready for His work on earth to officially begin.

Before this humble ceremony of commitment, we know little about Jesus’s life. Afterward—Boom!—the Gospel accounts are packed with His teachings and miracles.

And it’s rather fitting for the simple yet meaningful ritual of baptism to signify the beginning of Jesus’ mission. It parallels with how the Israelite priests in the Old Testament would ceremonially wash their hands in the bronze laver of the sanctuary, as an act of cleansing and purification before beginning their ministry (Exodus 30:18-21; 40:7).

We can see another parallel with the story of the prophet Elijah passing on his ministry to his apprentice, Elisha. Like John the Baptist, Elijah urged God’s people to repent of their wrongdoings and return to God (1 Kings 18:21). He anointed Elisha as his successor in ministry and they crossed the Jordan River. Elijah was later taken up into heaven, and Elisha received “a double portion” of his spirit from God (1 Kings 19:16; 2 Kings 2:6-15). And the depth and reach of Elisha’s ministry would surpass that of his predecessor.

Similarly, John played a role in Jesus’s anointing by baptizing Him at the Jordan River, and Jesus even referred to him later as “the Elijah who is to come” (Matthew 11:14, CSB). And when Jesus received the Spirit and began His work, John’s ministry “decreased” so that Jesus’ ministry could “increase” (John 3:25-30; 4:1-3).

To be our example and share in our experience

In a way, Jesus’s baptism shows that He shares in our experience of spiritual death to sin and resurrection to new life, which Paul understood when he said Christians are baptized into Christ’s death, buried with Him, and rise again to a new life committed to God’s guidance (Romans 6:3-4).

Jesus didn’t die because He was a sinner. He “committed no sin” (1 Peter 2:22, NKJV). He died to rescue us from our sinful ways (Matthew 1:21; 1 John 3:5). And He rose again so we could be saved through Him and have eternal life (Romans 4:25; 6:5-10).

Our baptism publicly declares that we join Jesus in what He accomplished at the Cross and in the tomb, also acknowledging that He joined our human experience and lived in our broken world (Romans 8:37; 1 John 5:4).

Claiming this “new life” is what Jesus called being “born again” or “born from above” (John 3:3-5).

And this is an experience offered to any human being in existence, no matter who they are or where they come from.

“For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek… for you are all one in Christ Jesus” (Galatians 3:26-28, NKJV).

For us, baptism is an act of new birth by dying to sin and self, then being restored to life as a “new creation” (2 Corinthians 5:17, NKJV). Jesus didn’t need to be born again like we do, but in living as a human like us, He also participated in the spiritual ceremonies established for our spiritual benefit. So His baptism gives us a glimpse of how He became the “firstborn among many brothers and sisters” (Romans 8:29, NASB).

“Now since the children have flesh and blood in common, Jesus also shared in these, so that through His death he might destroy the one holding the power of death—that is, the devil—and free those who were held in slavery all their lives by the fear of death. … Therefore, he had to be like His brothers and sisters in every way, so that He could become a merciful and faithful high priest in matters pertaining to God, to make atonement for the sins of the people” (Hebrews 2:14-15, CSB; Hebrews 2:17, CSB, emphasis added).

He did all this for us so “that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness” (1 Peter 2:24, NKJV).

Speaking of the word “righteousness,” it was featured in Jesus’ answer to John’s question of why he, a sinful human, should baptize his Lord and Savior.

To fulfill righteousness

Jesus’s direct reply to John’s questioning gives us an interesting perspective of what Jesus would accomplish with this baptism. He said to John:

“Allow it for now, because this is the way for us to fulfill all righteousness” (Matthew 3:15, CSB).

Jesus saw His baptism as a necessary part of fulfilling righteousness. But have you ever wondered what He meant by that?

Well, Jesus fulfilled the righteousness we need by meeting the requirements of God’s Law on our behalf.

He did this in two ways:

1) He did what God required while being in the state that is acceptable to God.

 

This is because righteousness has to do with moral character. Vine’s Expository Dictionary defines “righteousness” as “the character or quality of being right or just.”²

 

Righteousness can also be described as doing God’s will and as “right action,” or acting with morally pure and unselfish motives.³

Strong’s Concordance also sums up righteousness as being what we’re supposed to be: “the condition acceptable to God.”⁴

It’s understandable that people might have negative connotations to these definitions. Many have been put off by the “holier than thou” mentality that’s full of hypocrisy and judgment.

But the real deal is absent of pride, selfishness, and hate. Biblical righteousness ultimately seeks what’s best for others and requires making sacrifices with love as the motivation.

 

The whole reason we need salvation through Jesus is because we are unable to attain a spotless moral character, free from any selfishness, by our own efforts.

 

And Jesus’s life and character did match descriptions of the full meaning of righteousness, love, and purity. He did everything God required of Him, and He did it with sincere, unselfish intentions—including His baptism. Jesus Christ fulfilled God’s will by living a sinless life through a relationship with the Father.

 

2) Second, Jesus fulfilled the righteous requirements of the Law for His followers:

 

“For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do. By sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, He condemned sin in the flesh, in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us” (Romans 8:3-4, ESV).

So, not only did Jesus meet the requirements of being righteous, but He also made it possible for us to become righteous through Him.

“For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him” (2 Corinthians 5:21 NKJV).

On that note, baptism itself has a righteous purpose that points to Jesus’s saving work.

The Jews originally used baptism as a picture of someone’s heart changing and being cleansed from wickedness. But Jesus adds another layer because His baptism shows that true, perfect righteousness comes through His death, burial, and resurrection.

“Baptism… now saves you (not as the removal of dirt from the body, but the pledge of a good conscience toward God) through the resurrection of Jesus Christ” (1 Peter 3:21, CSB).

When we accept Christ’s death and resurrection, His righteousness covers us. “For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so also by one Man’s obedience many will be made righteous” (Romans 5:19, NKJV).

So, all that is righteous, all that God wants of us, and all that is acceptable to Him, is fulfilled through Jesus Christ.

What Jesus’s baptism means for each one of us

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First, Jesus’s baptism tells us that He came to satisfy the requirements we can’t fulfill on our own. He pointed out that it’s impossible to be saved without God (Matthew 19:23-26). “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23, NKJV).

We’re already living in a compromised position—we’ve already failed to keep God’s law, and our natural state does not align with God’s perfect character (Galatians 3:22).

So Jesus took on our sins so that “we might become the righteousness of God in Him” (2 Corinthians 5:21, NKJV). And this includes fulfilling God’s will for those who may not be able to be baptized. He took on our experience so that He fulfilled everything on their behalf (Hebrews 2:10-11).

For example, the thief who died on the cross next to Jesus accepted Him as his Savior, but he wasn’t able to be baptized or live out the new life since he would die in a short while. And yet Jesus assured him of his salvation, saying that they would see each other in paradise (Luke 23:43).

Second, we can be confident that His example is relevant to any and all of our lives as sinners. He demonstrated submission to God and His will as He participated in the established spiritual ceremony of baptism. Then His very life on earth showed the significance of what it means to die and come back to life.

Third, His baptism reminds us of our need to die to our sinful tendencies and move forward in the life He has now made possible for us. And as we continue in that new life, we can be sure that the Spirit will come down to guide us and that God the Father affirms us as His children.

Want to learn more about the origin, method, and spiritual applications of baptism?

Related Articles

1. Nichol, F.D., “Matthew”, Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary + Bible Students’ Source Book, The Seventh-Day Adventist Church, 1978. p. 35. [↵]
2. Vine’s Expository Dictionary on the New Testament, Blue Letter Bible. [↵]
3. Ibid. [↵]
4. “Strong’s G1343“, Blue Letter Bible. [↵]

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