What does “Christ” mean?
“Christ” is not a surname but a title. It is the Greek word for “Anointed One,” the same as the Hebrew “Messiah,” and it says that Jesus is the King and Savior God promised. To call Him Christ is to confess who He is.
Many people hear “Jesus Christ” as a first name and a last name. In fact “Jesus” is His personal name, and “Christ” is a title, much like “king” in “King David.” The Bible keeps the two apart again and again, and what the title says is the heart of the Christian message.
An anointed one
The word comes from a verb meaning “to anoint.” John MacArthur explains that “Messiah” is the Hebrew or Aramaic form of “the Anointed One,” while “Christ” is the Greek word that translates it. Both are titles, not personal names.
In ancient Israel, anointing with oil set a person apart for a task God had given. It was done for kings (1 Samuel 16:6), for the high priest (Leviticus 4:3) and, in one place, for the patriarchs (Psalm 105:15). MacArthur adds that the word finally came to mean the coming one who would be prophet, priest and king all in one. The Geneva Bible notes put it simply: “anointed, and king.”
The second psalm shows this hope. It pictures the rulers of the earth rising against God and His chosen king.
The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the LORD, and against his anointed, saying,
Ps 2:2 · King James Version (1769)
The New Geneva Study Bible says the psalm first speaks of a king from David’s line, but in the end looks to the Messiah, because every son of David only reflects the glory of the One who was to come. MacArthur likewise says the description fits David only in part and applies fully to Christ. The early church read it that way too (Acts 4:25–26).
“We have found the Messiah”
When Jesus’ first followers met Him, this was the word they used. Andrew spent a day with Jesus and then went straight to his brother.
He first findeth his own brother Simon, and saith unto him, We have found the Messiah, which is, being interpreted, the Christ.
John 1:41 · King James Version (1769)
William MacDonald notes how plain the message was: just a few words, yet people had waited a very long time for this news. He adds that someone who finds Jesus usually wants his family to meet Him too. John Gill says that grace makes people eager to share it.
Notice that John adds a translation, “which is, being interpreted, the Christ.” He is writing in Greek for readers who did not know Hebrew, and he shows that “Messiah” and “Christ” are one and the same word in two languages.