ESTUDIO DE LA PALABRA GRIEGA
Christos (G5547) — Meaning & Usage in the Bible
Christós (Χριστός) means 'anointed' and functions both as an adjective and as a title, 'the Christ,' applied to Jesus in the New Testament.
Significado de la palabra
Christós (Χριστός) is the Greek adjective meaning 'anointed,' derived from the verb χρίω (chríō, 'to anoint'). The lexicon notes its use in the Septuagint for the Hebrew מָשִׁיחַ (māšîaḥ) and cognate forms, where it describes both objects set apart with oil and persons consecrated for an office.
As an adjective, it can describe anointing oil (τὸ ἔλαιον τὸ χριστόν, 'the anointing oil') or designate an anointed person, such as a priest (ὁ ἰερεὺς ὁ χριστός). The phrase ὁ χριστὸς τοῦ κυρίου or τοῦ Θεοῦ, 'the anointed of the Lord/God,' applies to figures like the promised king in 1 Kings 2:10 and Psalm 2:2.
As a substantive, ὁ Χριστός ('the Christ') became the standard title for the promised Messiah. The lexicon connects it to the Aramaic מְשִׁיחָא (mĕšîḥā'). In the New Testament, it functions as an epithet of Jesus, appearing in constructions such as Ἰησοῦς Χριστός, Χριστὸς Ἰησοῦς, and Χριστὸς κύριος.
Uso en las Escrituras
In the New Testament, Christós appears frequently as a title for Jesus, often within a name formula. Matthew 1:1 opens the genealogy with 'Jesus Christ,' and Matthew 1:18 likewise uses 'the birth of Jesus Christ.' The order Χριστὸς Ἰησοῦς also occurs (e.g., Matthew 1:18 in the WH margin, Acts 5:42, Romans 6:3), and the fuller Ἰησοῦς Χριστὸς ὁ κύριος appears in passages like Acts 15:26 and Romans 1:7.
The title carries messianic weight. Peter confesses, 'Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God' (Matthew 16:16), and Jesus charges the disciples to tell no one that he is the Christ (Matthew 16:20). John the Baptist, hearing 'the works of the Christ' from prison, sends disciples to ask Jesus (Matthew 11:2). False claimants also arise: 'many shall come in my name, saying, I am the Christ' (Matthew 24:5). At Matthew 23:10, Jesus teaches that 'one is your master, even the Christ.'
La palabra en detalle
- G5547 Christós (Χριστός) is an adjective ('anointed') that also functions as the substantive title 'the Christ.' It is used in the Septuagint for Hebrew מָשִׁיחַ and corresponds to Aramaic מְשִׁיחָא. In the New Testament it is the principal title for Jesus, equivalent to 'Messiah.'
Versículos de ejemplo
- Matthew 1:1 Opens Matthew's genealogy with 'Jesus Christ,' placing the title at the very start of the Gospel.
- Matthew 16:16 Peter's confession: 'Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.' Here Christós identifies Jesus as the promised Messiah.
- Matthew 24:5 Jesus warns that 'many shall come ... saying, I am the Christ,' showing that the title could be falsely claimed.
- Matthew 11:2 John the Baptist, hearing 'the works of the Christ' in prison, sends disciples to Jesus—linking the title to Jesus' messianic works.
Preguntas frecuentes
What does Christós mean in Greek?
Christós (Χριστός) means 'anointed.' It comes from the verb chríō (χρίω), 'to anoint,' and corresponds to the Hebrew māšîaḥ and Aramaic mĕšîḥāʾ, both translated 'Messiah.'
Is Christós a name or a title?
It is primarily a title meaning 'the anointed one' or 'the Messiah.' While it functions almost like a name when joined to 'Jesus' (e.g., 'Jesus Christ'), the lexicon classifies it as an epithet of Jesus rather than a personal name.
How is Christós used in the Septuagint according to the lexicon?
The lexicon states that Christós is used in the Septuagint for Hebrew מָשִׁיחַ. It describes anointing oil ('the anointed oil'), anointed priests, and the 'anointed of the Lord/God,' a phrase applied to the promised king in passages like 1 Kings 2:10 and Psalm 2:2.