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Definition: Christ |
ChristNoun1. A prophet of the first century; to Christians he was both God and man--the Messiah sent to save the human race from the sin it inherited through the Fall of Man (circa 8 BC - 29 AD). 2. Any expected deliverer. Source: WordNet 1.7.1 Copyright © 2001 by Princeton University. All rights reserved. |
"Christ" is a name that signifies or is derived from: "anoint", "anointed". |
Date "Christ" was first used in popular English literature: sometime before 1200. (references) |
Etymology: Christ \Christ\, noun. [Latin expression Christus, Greek, from anointed, from chri`ein to anoint. See Chrism.]. (references) |
| Domain | Definition |
Bible | Christ anointed, the Greek translation of the Hebrew word rendered "Messiah" (q.v.), the official title of our Lord, occurring five hundred and fourteen times in the New Testament. It denotes that he was anointed or consecrated to his great redemptive work as Prophet, Priest, and King of his people. He is Jesus the Christ (Acts 17:3; 18:5; Matt. 22:42), the Anointed One. He is thus spoken of by Isaiah (61:1), and by Daniel (9:24-26), who styles him "Messiah the Prince." The Messiah is the same person as "the seed of the woman" (Gen. 3:15), "the seed of Abraham" (Gen. 22:18), the "Prophet like unto Moses" (Deut. 18:15), "the priest after the order of Melchizedek" (Ps. 110:4), "the rod out of the stem of Jesse" (Isa. 11:1, 10), the "Immanuel," the virgin's son (Isa. 7:14), "the branch of Jehovah" (Isa. 4:2), and "the messenger of the covenant" (Mal. 3:1). This is he "of whom Moses in the law and the prophets did write." The Old Testament Scripture is full of prophetic declarations regarding the Great Deliverer and the work he was to accomplish. Jesus the Christ is Jesus the Great Deliverer, the Anointed One, the Saviour of men. This name denotes that Jesus was divinely appointed, commissioned, and accredited as the Saviour of men (Heb. 5:4; Isa. 11:2-4; 49:6; John 5:37; Acts 2:22). To believe that "Jesus is the Christ" is to believe that he is the Anointed, the Messiah of the prophets, the Saviour sent of God, that he was, in a word, what he claimed to be. This is to believe the gospel, by the faith of which alone men can be brought unto God. That Jesus is the Christ is the testimony of God, and the faith of this constitutes a Christian (1 Cor. 12:3; 1 John 5:1). Source: Easton's 1897 Bible Dictionary. |
Dream Interpretation | To dream of beholding Christ, the young child, worshiped by the wise men, denotes many peaceful days, full of wealth and knowledge, abundant with joy, and content. If in the garden of the Gethsemane, sorrowing adversity will fill your soul, great longings for change and absent objects of love will be felt. To see him in the temple scourging the traders, denotes that evil enemies will be defeated and honest endeavors will prevail. Source: Ten Thousand Dreams Interpreted .... |
Source: compiled by the editor from various references; see credits. | |
(From Wikipedia, the free Encyclopedia)
Image of Jesus Christ from Agia Sophia, Istanbul (12th century)
Jesus of Nazareth (or Jesus Christ, see alternate names below) (born: c. 6 BC- c. 6; died: c. 27 - c. 36) was a Jewish religious teacher and healer; who was crucified during the early years of the Roman Empire.
According to those religions conventionally designated as "Christian", Jesus is the messiah and Son of God; who brought salvation to humanity through his death and resurrection. Jesus is also regarded as an ascetic prophet, by Muslims; as a false Messiah, by Judaism and Mandaeanism; as a manifestation of God, by the Baha'i; a manifestation of Maitreya by some Buddhists; as an avatar, by some Hindus; as the savior and bringer of gnosis by various Gnostic sects; and, as a guru by many New Ageists.
The primary source of historical knowledge about Jesus is contained within the Christian Gospels which the majority of historians believe to originated from primary sources written within living memory of Jesus. Supporting evidence for the historical Jesus is also provided, though less reliably from the perspective of historians, by other religious traditions and certain historians of the period. Therefore, most scholars accept the Gospels as evidence for the historical existence of Jesus; and, excepting certain miraculous claims, for the basic narrative of his life and death. There is, however, a minority of historians who disagree, viewing Jesus as purely a mythical figure.
Introduction
Most discussions about Jesus, including this one, involve a conflict between contrasting, and in some ways incompatible, views of the world and of how humans acquire knowledge (this subject is discussed in the disciplines epistemology and metaphysics).
Christians believe that humans can have direct personal knowledge of God and of Jesus and that this is confirmed through scripture, which is a form of divine revelation. Some Christians believe that Scripture must be interpreted in the light of Tradition, while others believe that individuals can interpret it for themselves. For some Christians, belief in Jesus is a matter of faith: they need no further confirmation of the existence of God and His son. Other Christians feel they have knowledge of God and Jesus based on the empirical existence of the Gospels and/or Bible as accurate historical documents, the Christian tradition passed on from generation to generation, and through their direct consequent religious experiences.
Historians meanwhile make statements about historical events or persons based on more pragmatic standards of empirical evidence. They look at scripture not as divinely inspired but as the work of fallible humans, who wrote in the light of their culture and time. However, most historians accept that the accounts of the life of Jesus in the Gospels and from other sources provide a reasonable basis of evidence, by the standards of ancient history, for the historical existence of Jesus.
Furthermore, Jesus is still more controversial because there are different accounts of Jesus within Islam, Judaism, Gnosticism, Mandaeanism, and other religions (see later in this article.)
There is a paucity of accepted contemporaneous sources and of direct empirical evidence. Therefore, it is difficult for representatives of the different religious and secular traditions of knowledge and faith to reach agreement on a "biography" of Jesus.This article therefore offers the differing views and beliefs.
The historical Jesus of Nazareth
This section provides a historical view of Jesus, based on empirical evidence that is considered satisfactory by the majority of historians.
The name Jesus Christ
Jesus is derived from the Latin Iesus, which in turn comes from the Greek Iesous (Ιησους). The Greek form is a transliteration of the Aramaic name Yeshua (ישוע), a short form of Hebrew Yehoshua (יהושע), which means the Lord is salvation, literally Yahweh/Jehovah saves. The English form of Yehoshua is Joshua. (Other common English transliterations from the Aramaic Yeshua (ישוע) include Jeshua and Yahshua.)
Christ is a title, and comes, via Latin, from the Greek Christos (Χριστος), which means anointed. The Greek form is a literal translation of Messiah from Hebrew mashiyakh (משיח) or Aramaic m'shikha (משיחא), words which typically signified "king" -- a man, chosen by God or descended from a man chosed by God, to serve as a civil and military authority. In Arabic, Jesus is known as the prophet Isa al Masih, from the aforementioned Aramaic for Jesus the Messiah.
Jesus spoke Aramaic as it was the common language of Galilee and Judea; thus, during his life, he was probably known as Yeshua.
Brief timeline of Jesus
of important years from empirical sources.
(see also detailed Christian timeline)
c. 6 BC -
c. 4 BC -
c. 6 AD -
c. 26 AD -
c. 27 AD -
c. 36 AD -
Suggested birth (Earliest)
Herod's death
Suggested birth (Latest). Quirinius census
Pilate appointed Judea governor
Suggested death (Earliest).
Suggested death (Latest); Pilate removed from office
The exact month or day or even the year of Jesus's birth cannot be exactly ascertained. Due to a mistaken calculation based on the Roman Calendar by Dionysius Exiguus in 525, it was long held that Jesus was born in the year A.D. 1.
The Gospels are problematic, because they offer two seemingly incompatible accounts. Matthew states that Jesus was born while Herod the Great was still alive and that Herod ordered the slaughter of infants two years old and younger (Matt. 2:16), and based on the date of Herod's death in 4 BC (contra Dionysius Exiguus), many chronologists conclude that the year 6 BC is the most likely year of Jesus's birth. Consequently, Jesus would have been about four to six years old in the year A.D. 1. On the other hand, Luke's account places Jesus's birth during a census conducted under the governorship of Quirinius, who, according to Josephus, conducted a census in A.D. 6. In order to reconcile the two Gospel accounts, some have suggested that Josephus was mistaken or that Quirinius had a separate period of rule under Herod. In any case, the actual date of his birth remains historically unverifiable.
In the 6th century, Dionysius Exiguus proposed to make the birth of Jesus the basis of the calendar but he miscalculated the death of Herod. Years reckoned in this way are labelled "A.D.", which stands for Anno Domini, meaning "in the year of the Lord" in Latin. Since many non-Christians have come to use this calendar, an alternative notation "C.E." is sometimes used. It is presently uncertain what the original meaning of this abbreviation was, although today it is taken to mean either the Common Era or the Christian Era: many references cite both.
Based on inferences from gospel accounts, Jesus was executed by crucifixion on a Friday, and on the 14th day of the Jewish month of Nisan under the administration of Pontius Pilate. Pontius Pilate held his position from 26-36 and the only years in which Nisan 14 fell on a Friday are 27, 33, and 36 and possibly in 30 depending on when the new moon would have been visible in Jerusalem. Scholars have defended all of the dates.
Jesus' life and teaching
Possibly born in Bethlehem, Jesus was brought up in Galilee. Gospel accounts state he brought up in Nazareth, however, many historians believe that Christian transcribers have mistaken the title "Nazarene" for a location. The town of Nazareth is unmentioned in contemporary historical sources.
Jesus' mother was Mary, who married Joseph, but he was only Jesus' foster father. We can say nothing with certainty about Jesus's childhood or young adulthood. Certain events are mentioned in the various gospels, but there is no common agreement.
The Gospel of Mark reports that Jesus had brothers, that he was "Mary's son and the brother of James, Joseph, Judas and Simon," and also suggests that Jesus had sisters. The Jewish historian Josephus and the Christian historian Eusebius(who wrote in Fourth century but quoted much earlier sources now unavaliable to us) refer to James the Just as Jesus' brother. Some churches reject this interpretation, saying that they were Jesus' cousins, which the Greek word for "brother" used in the Gospels would allow. Other churches suggest that these were half brothers, children of Joseph and a previous wife who died before Mary was betrothed to him. This tradition probably originates with the Protevangelion of James, traditionally ascribed to James the Just and certainly dated sometime in the late first to middle of the second century.
Jesus began his public ministry some time after he was baptized by John the Baptist, who inspired Mandaeanism. Jesus began preaching, teaching, and healing. There is no firm evidence for when his ministry started or how long it lasted. The detailed nature of Jesus' spiritual teaching cannot be fully agreed because accounts are fragmentary and because he made extensive use of paradox, metaphor and parable; making it is unclear how literally he wished to be taken and precisely what he meant.
Jesus did preach the imminent end of the current era of history, in some sense a literal end of the world as people of his time knew it; in this sense he was an apocalyptic preacher bringing a message about the imminent end of the world the Jews knew.
Like the Pharisee, Jesus opposed stringent interpretations of Jewish law, and preached a more flexible understanding of the law. His teachings show an inclination to following a teleological approach, in which the spirit of the law is more important than the letter of the law. However, the Gospels record him as having many disagreements with the Pharisees, as he consistently takes differing views from the standard religious practice of the day. However, the interpretations of the law by the Sadducees were in most cases much stricter than Pharisee interpretations of the law, and the Sadducees were in the majority at that time, yet the Gospels record no sign of Jesus having much disagreement with their views. Some modern historians thus believe that Jesus may have been a liberal Pharisee in some respects, or an Essene (a sect with whom he shared many views); and that later Christian transcribers cast him as an enemy of the Pharisees, because when Christians and Jews came into conflict in later years the Pharisee's had become the dominant sect. This view receives some support in Acts of the Apostles, because Jesus' apostles were generally attacked by Sadduccees but were sometimes protected by Pharisee liberal interpretations of Jewish law.
Jesus increasingly gained followers as his fame grew, though within his lifetime Jesus' core following remained no more than a small religious sect. Jesus had by the time of his death taught a number of his disciples or apostles to preach his teachings and perform faith healing to both Jews and Gentiles alike.
In his role as a social reformer Jesus threatened the status quo. He was unpopular with many Jewish religious authorities, not least because he criticised them; but also because some of Jesus' followers held the controversial and inflammatory view that he was "The Messiah". It is not clear from strict analysis of the original Gospel texts that Jesus made this claim about himself, but he did not deny it. Neither is it wholly clear to historians that when Jesus spoke of being "Son of God" he meant this to be taken literally as Christians believe, rather than metaphorically in the sense that we are all children of God.
Jesus came with his followers to Jerusalem during the Passover festival. He was involved in some form of public disturbance at the Temple in Jerusalem. At some point later, he was betrayed to the Jewish religious authorities of the city - either the full council (Sanhedrin) or perhaps just the High Priest - by one of his apostles Judas Iscariot. The High Priest of the city was appointed by Rome and the current holder of the post was Joseph Caiphas. The Romans ruled the city through the High Priest and Sanhedrin, so often the Jewish authorities of the city had to arrest people on the orders of the Romans. Jesus' disciples went into hiding after he was arrested.
Jesus was crucified by the Romans on the orders of Pontius Pilate the Roman Governor of Judea in Jerusalem. The Gospels state that he did this at the behest of the Jewish religious leaders, but it may have been simply that Pilate considered Jesus' ability to incite public disturbance as a potential Messiah to be a threat to Roman order. Pilate was known as a harsh ruler who ordered many executions for far lesser reasons during his reign.
All the gospel accounts agree that Joseph of Arimathea, variously a secret disciple or sympathiser to Jesus, and possible member of the Sanhedrin, arranged with Pilate for the body to be taken down and entombed. According to most accounts Jesus' mother, Mary, and other women, notably a female follower of Jesus, Mary Magdalene were present during this process.
The historicity of Jesus
Main article: Historicity of Jesus ChristSome historians have disputed the actual existence of Jesus, claiming his existence was either an invention or he was a figure from further back in history.
Alleged relics of Jesus
Main article: Alleged relics of Jesus ChristThere are many items that are purported to be authentic relics of the Gospel account. The most famous alleged relic of Jesus is the Shroud of Turin.
Christian perspectives on Jesus
Main articles: Jesus Christ as the Messiah and MessiahChristianity is centered on the belief that Jesus is the savior of man. According to Christians, Jesus was born in Bethlehem to Mary. He preached the new covenant across Judea, which angered traditional Jews and disturbed the Romans as he was seen as a threat to public order. One of his twelve apostles, Judas, betrayed him. Judas would later commit suicide in remorse for what he did. Jesus was nailed to the cross and killed by the Romans. However, he rose from the dead three days later.
Jewish perspectives on Jesus
Main articles: Judaism and Christianity and Jewish MessiahJesus Christ is deemed a false prophet in most sects of Judaism, and religious Jews are still looking for the Messiah to arrive. Christianity had started as a sect of Judaism, but developed into its own religion.
Islamic perspectives on Jesus
Main article: IsaMuslims believe that while Jesus, or Isa in Arabic, was a prophet and Messiah. However, they do not consider him to be a son of Allah (God), other than in the metaphorical sense that we are all children of Allah. Mohammed was the final prophet to mankind in Islam.
Other perspectives on Jesus
Main article: Other perspectives on JesusThe Mandaeanists also see Jesus Christ as something of a false prophet. Some Hindus believe that Jesus is an avatar. Other types of new-age beliefs see him as a guru. There is also speculation concerning whether Jesus was married to Mary Magdalen.
Latter-day Saints and those who believe in Mormonism believe that Jesus Christ visited the Americas shortly after His resurrection or ascension. The account may be found in the Book of Mormon.
Fictional portrayals of Jesus Christ
Main article: Fictional portrayals of Jesus ChristJesus Christ has been featured in many films and media, sometimes as a serious portrayal, and other times as satire.
Further reading
- The New Testament of the Bible, especially the Gospels.
- The Words: website that organises Jesus' sayings by topic
- Albright, William F. Yahweh and the Gods of Canaan: An Historical Analysis of Two Contrasting Faiths, ISBN 0931464013 [www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0931464013/qid=1066486079/]
- Paula Fredriksen, Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews: A Jewish Life and the Emergence of Christianity ISBN 0679767460
- Paula Fredriksen, From Jesus to Christ: The Origins of the New Testament Images of Christ ISBN 0300084579, ISBN 0300040180
- Jaroslav Pelikan, Jesus Through the Centuries: His Place in the History of Culture, Yale University Press, 1985, hardcover, 270 pages, ISBN 0300034962; trade paperback, HarperCollins reprint, 304 pages, ISBN 0060970804; trade paperback, Yale University Press, 1999, 320 pages, ISBN 0300079877
- E.P. Sanders, The historical figure of Jesus, Penguin, 1996, ISBN 0140144994. An up to date popular but thoroughly scholarly book.
- E.P. Sanders, Jesus and Judaism, Fortress Press, 1987, ISBN 0800620615. More specialistic than the previous book, still not inaccessible though.
- Gerd Theissen & Annette Merz, The Historical Jesus: A Comprehensive Guide, Fortress Press, 2003, ISBN 0800631226. An amazing book, tough but rewarding, exceptionally detailed.
- The Shadow of the Galilean: The Quest of the Historical Jesus in Narrative Form. Gerd Theissen. Fortress Press.
- Lewis, C.S. Mere Christianity
- Geza Vermes, Jesus the Jew: A Historian's Reading of the Gospels ISBN 0800614437
- In Quest of the Hero:(Mythos Series)- Otto Rank, Lord Fitzroy Richard Somerset Raglan and Alan Dundes, Princeton University Press, 1990, ISBN 0691020620
- On Heroes, Hero-Worship, & the Heroic in History- Thomas Carlyle
- The Jewish historian Josephus wrote about Jesus in Antiquities, Book 18, chapter 3, paragraph 3. http://www.josephus-1.com/
- Bloodline of the Holy Grail by Laurence Gardner
External links
General
- The Jewish Roman World of Jesus
- Excellent university resource Articles on most issues concerning Jesus
- From Jesus to Christ
- Extensive, professionally designed web site accompanying the American PBS television programme of the same name. A marvellous resource full of well-organised, useful information, though with a marked North American bias.
- Into His Own: Perspective on the World of Jesus
- By Mahlon Smith: Excellent site exploring the world in which Jesus lived by means of well-organised, newly translated primary texts and other material.
- A Portrait of Jesus: From Galilean Jew to the Face of God
- By Cam Howard: a splendid looking, useful web site based on the work of Marcus Borg.
- The Historical Jesus
- University of Birmingham site
- 864 pictures
- A critical Jewish analysis
- An examination of the historicity of Jesus, also examining the stories of the Talmud
- The Alpha Course
- Jesus Christ Catholic Encyclopedia article
- EWTN's Jesus Christ webpage
- Skeptics Guide to Jesus
- Well written and detailed skeptics guide to Jesus. Violently anti-Christian. Alternatively argues Jesus did not exist or picks holes in Biblical accounts. Does however have a number of very intriguing articles.
- Article about the naming of Jesus
- another article about the naming of Jesus
Historical context
- Historical context
- Long detailed article on the historical context of the time.
- Various Jewish sects during that time.
Source: adapted by the editor from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia under a copyleft GNU Free Documentation License (GFDL) from the article "Jesus Christ."
Synonym: ChristSynonym: messiah (n). (additional references) |
| Context | Synonyms within Context (source: adapted from Roget's Thesaurus). |
Clergy | Clergyman, divine, ecclesiastic, churchman, priest, presbyter, hierophant, pastor, shepherd, minister; father, father in Christ; padre, abbe, cure; patriarch; reverend; black coat; confessor. |
Deity | God the Son, Jesus, Christ; The Messiah, The Anointed, The Saviour, the Redeemer, The Mediator, The Intercessor, The Advocate, The Judge; The Son of God, The Son of Man, The Son of David; The Lamb of God, The Word; Logos; Emmanuel; Immanuel; The King of Kings and Lord of Lords, The King of Glory, The Prince of Peace, The Good Shepherd, The Way, The Truth, The Life, The Bread of Life, The Light of the World; The Lord our, The Sun of Righteousness; "The Pilot of the Galilean lake". |
Orthodoxy | The Church; Catholic Church, Universal Church, Apostolic Church, Established Church; temple of the Holy Ghost; Church of Christ, body of Christ, members of Christ, disciples of Christ, followers of Christ; Christian, Christian community; true believer; canonist; (theologian); Christendom, collective body of Christians. |
Piety | Verb: be pious; Adjective: have faith; Noun: believe, receive Christ; revere; be converted; |
Theopathy, beatification, adoption, regeneration, conversion, justification, sanctification, salvation, inspiration, bread of life; Body and Blood of Christ. | |
Time | Hereupon, thereupon, whereupon; then; anno Domini; A.D.; ante Christum; A.C.; before Christ; B.C.; anno urbis conditae; A.U.C.; anno regni; A.R.; once upon a time, one fine morning, one fine day, one day, once. |
| Source: adapted from Roget's Thesaurus. | |
| Domain | Usage | |
Screenplays | Commander, I believe in God, and in his son Jesus Christ, and because I do, I can say this: Private Santiago is dead and that's a tragedy (A Few Good Men; writing credit: Aaron Sorkin. Based on the play by Aaron Sorkin.) For Christ sake Milo, they couldn't have made more noise on D-Day (Sleuth; writing credit: Anthony Shaffer) Jesus Christ, Billy (Beverly Hills Cop II; writing credit: Eddie Murphy; Robert D. Wachs) Jesus Christ Pyle, don't try too hard (Full Metal Jacket; writing credit: Gustav Hasford; Michael Herr) I'm an architect for Christ sake, I build 50 story skyscrapers, I assemble cities of the future, I can certainly put together a goddam diaper (Three Men and a Baby; writing credit: Jim Cruickshank; James Orr) | |
Lyrics | That the time of Christ was near ("El Shaddai"; performing artist: Amy Grant) For me to live is Christ, to die is gain ("Addictive Love"; performing artist: BeBe& CeCe Winans) Mary's boy child Jesus Christ, was born on Christmas Day. (Mary's Boy Child/Oh My Lord; performing artist: Boney M) Christ knows what i've got to do (Life In Black; performing artist: LFO) Jesus Christ and Grandma, too. (Rock N Roll Nigger; performing artist: Patti Smith) | |
Clever | It is as necessary for men to hear the Gospel, as it was for Christ to die. (references; author: unknown) Since I have smashed my denominational glasses, I have a better vision of who Christ is. (references; author: unknown) | |
Movie/TV Titles | Jesus Christ Superstar (1973) Imitation of Christ (1970) Der Fall Lena Christ (1970) Christ Among the Primitives (1953) The Living Christ Series (1951) | |
Song Titles | Jesus Christ Superstar (performing artist: Murray Head) Driving Others To Christ Through Barnward Innuendo (performing artist: Pinkard & Bowden) | |
Source: compiled by the editor from various references; see credits. | ||
| Domain | Title |
References | |
Books | |
Periodicals | |
Theater & Movies | |
Music |
|
Source: compiled by the editor from various references; see credits. | |
| Thumbnail | Description & Credit | Thumbnail | Description & Credit |
 | Pictured are various views of portions of the Mormon Temple, Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter-Day Saints, Salt Lake City. The Mormons are being studied for their low cancer death rate, about 20% lower than the national average. Credit: Linda Bartlett (photographer). |  | Exterior view. Photograph by Jack E. Boucher, 1976. (Reproduction Number: HABS, CONN, 2-FARM,2-8) The First Church of Christ is Connecticut's best surviving example of a colonial-era meeting house. Built in 1771 by Captain Judah Woodruff, who also built many of the houses in Farmington, the church has undergone only minor alterations and still retains its side entrance; graceful, tall steeple; and plain, boxy styling. The church has played an important role in the town since it was built. In 1841, for instance, the African captives from the Spanish slave ship Amistad lived in Farmington and attended the First Church of Christ for several months while awaiting passage back to Africa. Credit: Library of Congress. |
 | The Christ Hospital, Cincinnati, Ohio : Portraits of Progress [six scenes of various stages of progress, 1889-1960]. Credit: National Library of Medicine. |  | La Circoncision de Jesus Christ, par François le Parmesan. / Francoise le Parmesan [Girolamo Francesco Maria Mazzola]. Credit: National Library of Medicine. |
 | Cathedral of the Nativity of Christ (1552-62, 1652, 1770s), interior, Kargopol', Russia. Credit: Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division Washington, D.C. 20540. |  | Church of Elijah the Prophet (1647-50), interior, west ceiling vaults, with frescoes of scenes from the life of Christ including the Ascension (1680-81), Yaroslavl', Russia. Credit: Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division Washington, D.C. 20540. |
 | Lasker as Christ being attacked in Senate Forum and ordered out by "Pontius Pilate" figure. Credit: Library of Congress. |  | First Church of Christ Scientist, (Mother Church), Boston, Massachusetts. Credit: Library of Congress. |
 | General Washington at Christ Church, Easter Sunday, 1795 / J.L.G. Ferris. Credit: Library of Congress. |  | First Church of Christ, Scientist, Boston. Credit: Library of Congress. |
Source: pictures compiled by the editor from various references; see picture credits. | |||
 |  |
| "Shrine of Christ" by Radek Siechowicz Commentary: "A shrine of Christ on the top of mountain "Cwilin"." | "Jesus christ 3" by Julia Eisenberg Commentary: "Jesus christ." |
Source: photographs selected by the editor, with permission from the photographers. | |
| Author | Quotation |
David Livingstone | All that I am I owe to Jesus Christ, revealed to me in His divine Book. |
Denis Diderot | The blood of Jesus Christ can cover a multitude of sins, it seems to me. |
John Donne | Show me, dear Christ, Thy spouse, so bright and clear. |
Oscar Wilde | How else but through a broken heart may Lord Christ enter in? |
Oswald Chambers | The dearest friend on earth is a mere shadow compared to Jesus Christ. |
Phillips Brooks | Jesus Christ, the condescension of divinity, and the exaltation of humanity. |
Samuel Taylor Coleridge | I should have been a Christian had Christ never lived. |
| I believe Plato and Socrates. I believe in Jesus Christ. | |
William Penn | To be like Christ is to be a Christian. |
Source: compiled by the editor from various references. | |
| Title | Author | Quote |
Les Miserables | Hugo, Victor | The fervently devout were, in their dreams, the chosen ones, and were possessed of Christ. |
Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man | Joyce, James | May Thy holy angels dwell herein to preserve us in peace and may Thy blessing be always upon us through Christ, Our Lord |
Grapes of Wrath | Steinbeck, John | Christ, what cut do you make on a new car |
Walden | Thoreau, Henry David | It would seem that I made it according to the recipe which Marcus Porcius Cato gave about two centuries before Christ. |
Source: compiled by the editor from various references. | ||
| Subject | Topic | Quote |
Civil Liberties | Yemen | A small bomb blasted a 12-foot hole in the wall of Christ Church in Aden on New Year's Day; there were no reported injuries. (references) |
Uganda | In 2000 police in Rukungiri district arrested Innocent Bitungwabariho, a leader of the Jesus Christ the King of Salvation church. (references) | |
Vietnam | In March teachers at a public primary school in the same district reportedly ordered all the Christian students to renounce Christ. (references) | |
Economic History | Democratic Republic of Congo | Kimbanguism, officially "the church of Christ on Earth by the prophet Simon Kimbangu," now has about 3 million members, primarily among the Bakongo of Bas-Congo and Kinshasa. (references) |
Human Rights | Yemen | On January 1 and 2, explosive devices were detonated in Aden outside the Anglican Christ Church, which is used as a transient hotel by seamen, and the official SABA News Agency office. (references) |
Cuba | On May 9, the Popular Municipal Court in Central Havana informed 58-year-old Isabel del Pino Sotolongo, president of the Humanitarian Association of the Followers of Christ King, that her trial was suspended for the third time. (references) | |
Minorities | India | In January in a village near Udaipur, Rajasthan, Bajrang Dal activists allegedly beat two Christian missionaries and their followers because they were watching a film on the life of Christ. (references) |
Poland | In April a controversial Gdansk priest, Henryk Jankowski, created in his church a replica of the barn in Jedwabne in which members of that town's Jewish community were burned to death in 1941. A sign near the display accused Jews of killing Christ and persecuting Poles. (references) | |
Travel | Ecuador | In Guayaquil, extra caution should be taken in the downtown area, on the waterfront (El Malecon), in the street market area of La Bahia, at the Christ Statue (Sagrado Corazon de Jesus) on Cerro del Carmen, in the airport area, and in the southern part of the city. (references) |
Lexicography | Devil's Dictionary | EXCOMMUNICATION, n. This "excommunication" is a word In speech ecclesiastical oft heard, And means the damning, with bell, book and candle, Some sinner whose opinions are a scandal -- A rite permitting Satan to enslave him Forever, and forbidding Christ to save him. Gat Huckle |
Source: compiled by the editor from ICON Group International, Inc.; see credits. | ||
| Speaker | Phrase(s) |
Dennis Miller | Christ, America doesn't have a ministry of women's affairs, unless you count the delightfully sassy women of The View. |
James Dobson | I believe the scripture makes it clear that Jesus Christ came to provide a remedy for sin and to be a savior to those who would believe on His name and that through Him, they would be saved. |
James Van Praagh | Whatever you may call him. The higher self of yourself, the God self, your Christ self, whatever you wan to call the higher part of yourself. |
Source: compiled by the editor from various references; see credits. | |
| "Christ" is generally used as a noun (proper) -- approximately 99.41% of the time. "Christ" is used about 4,711 times out of a sample of 100 million words spoken or written in English. Its rank is based on over 700,000 words used in the English language. Some parts-of-speech are not covered due to the samples used by the British National Corpus. (note: percents less than one-hundredth of one percent have been omitted) |
| Parts of Speech | Percent | Usage per 100 Million Words | Rank in English |
| Noun (proper) | 99.41% | 4,683 | 2,093 |
| Noun (singular) | 0.47% | 22 | 74,468 |
| Unclassified Items | 0.13% | 6 | 143,867 |
| Total | 100.00% | 4,711 | N/A |
Source: compiled by the editor from several corpora; see credits.
| The following table summarizes the usage of "Christ" based on a population census conducted in the United States. Ranks and frequencies are based on all names reported and classified. |
| Name | Usage/Gender | Usage per 100 million Persons | Rank in USA |
| Christ | Last name | 2,000 | 4,975 |
| Source: compiled by the editor from several corpora; see credits. | |||
| "Christ" is a name that signifies or is derived from: "anoint", "anointed". | |||
| The following table summarizes names derived from the word "Christ". | |||
| Name | Gender | Language | Meaning |
| Antichrist | N/A | Biblical | An adversary to Christ |
| Krystof | Male | Czech | Bearing Christ |
| Chris | Male | English | Bearing Christ |
| Christmas | Male | English | A Christ festival |
| Christopher | Male | English | Bearing Christ |
| Kit | Male | English | Bearing Christ |
| Kristopher | Male | English | Bearing Christ |
| Risto | Male | Finnish | Bearing Christ |
| Christophe | Male | French | Bearing Christ |
| Christoph | Male | German | Bearing Christ |
| Kristóf | Male | Hungarian | Bearing Christ |
| Cristoforo | Male | Italian | Bearing Christ |
| Kristaps | Male | Latvian | Bearing Christ |
| Krzysztof | Male | Polish | Bearing Christ |
| Cristóvão | Male | Portuguese | Bearing Christ |
| Kristoffer | Male | Scandinavian | Bearing Christ |
| Kester | Male | Scottish | Bearing Christ |
| Cristobal | Male | Spanish | Bearing Christ |
| Source: compiled by the editor from various references.
| |||
| The following table summarizes names related to "Christ." | |||
| Name | Gender | Language | Related Name |
| Christ | N/A | Biblical | N/A |
| Christ | Male | Theology | Christos |
| Christos | Male | Theology | N/A |
| Source: compiled by the editor from various references; see credits. | |||
| Country | Name |
| Switzerland | Christ Aesch |
| (more examples...) |
Source: compiled by the editor from Icon Group International, Inc.
Expressions using "Christ": after christ ♦ ascension of christ ♦ baptism of Christ ♦ before christ ♦ body and Blood of Christ ♦ body of christ ♦ bride of christ ♦ christ child ♦ christ no! ♦ Christ plant ♦ Christ thorn ♦ Christ Within ♦ church of Christ Scientist ♦ coming of Christ ♦ Disciples of Christ ♦ humiliation of Christ ♦ intercession of Christ ♦ jesus christ ♦ jesus christ is risen! ♦ kingly office of Christ ♦ nativity of Christ ♦ palma christ ♦ resurrection of Christ ♦ revelation of Christ ♦ the vicar of christ ♦ United Church of Christ ♦ vicar of christ ♦ vicar of Jesus Christ. Additional references. | |
| Hyphenated Usage | |
Beginning with "Christ": christ-baby, christ-centred, christ-child, christ-corpse, christ-figure, christ-image, christ-like, christ-likeness, christ-lived, christ-shaped, christ-this-is-so-delicious-it-seems-a-shame-to-go-on-about-it-but-i-feel-it-is-my-duty. | |
Ending with "Christ": anti-christ. | |
| Source: compiled by the editor from various references; see credits. | |
| The following statistics estimate the number of searches per day across the major English-language search engines as identified by various trade publications. Hyperlinks lead to commercial use of the expression at Amazon.com. |
| Language | Translations for "Christ"; alternative meanings/domain in parentheses. | |
Afrikaans | Christus. (various references) | |
Albanian | zoti i madh, o zot (gee up, good forbid, good god, good gracious, good heavens, goodness gracious, gracious me, jesus), Krishti. (various references) | |
Arabic | يسوع المسيح (jesus, messiah), عيسى بن مريم. (various references) | |
Bulgarian | Месия, Христос, боже (dear), Господи. (various references) | |
Chinese | 基督. (various references) | |
Czech | proboha (deary me, for god's sake, for goodness sake, for goodness' sake, for heaven, for heaven's sake, good god, good grief, good heavens, Oh dear), Kristus. (various references) | |
Danish | foer Kristus (Before Christ), f.Kr. (Before Christ), efter Kristus (after Christ), e.Kr. (after Christ). (various references) | |
Dutch | Christus. (various references) | |
Esperanto | Kristo. (various references) | |
Faeroese | Kristus. (various references) | |
Farsi | مسیح , عیسی (Jesus). (various references) | |
Finnish | Kristus. (various references) | |
French | Christ, Le Christ, Jésus. (various references) | |
Frisian | Kristus. (various references) | |
German | Christus. (various references) | |
Greek | χριστόσ (prince of peace, rock of ages). (various references) | |
Hebrew | ֹשו ִנוצרי (Jesus). (various references) | |
Hungarian | Krisztus (paschal lamb), Keresztyén. (various references) | |
Icelandic | Kristur. (various references) | |
Indonesian | nabi isa (jesus), kristus. (various references) | |
Irish | Críost. (various references) | |
Italian | Cristo. (various references) | |
Japanese Kanji | 基督 , 人の子 (the Son of Man), キラー衛星 (Christian, Christian priest, killer satellite). (various references) | |
Japanese Katakana | きりすと, ひとのこ (the Son of Man), キリスト . (various references) | |
Manx | Creest. (various references) | |
Papiamen | Kristu, Kristo. (various references) | |
Pig Latin | istchray.(various references) | |
Polish | Chrystus. (various references) | |
Portuguese | Cristo. (various references) | |
Russian | христос, Мессия, господи (goodness gracious), мессия (messiah), Христос (Prince of Peace), боже (gosh, jesus). (various references) | |
Scottish | Crìosd (and <A NAME="Crìosda">Crìosda</A> pnm. Christ), Iosa Crìosd (pnm. Jesus Christ). (various references) | |
Serbo-Croatian | mesija (messiah), hrist. (various references) | |
Spanish | Cristo. (various references) | |
Swedish | Kristus (christ's). (various references) | |
Thai | พระคริสต์. (various references) | |
Turkish | Mesih (messiah, messianic, redeemer), Hazreti Ýsa (Jesus, Lord), hay, Ísa. (various references) | |
Ukrainian | Христос. (various references) | |
Vietnamese | Chúa Giê-su, Chúa cứu thế. (various references) | |
Welsh | Crist (Messiah). (various references) | |
| Source: compiled by the editor from various translation references. | ||
| Language | Period | Translations |
| Greek | 700 BCE-300 CE | khristos. (various references) |
| Latin | 500 BCE-Modern | christe, christi, Christo, christorum, christos, christum, Christus, nazarene, nazareni, nazarenis, nazareno, nazarenos, nazarenum, nazarenus, pseudochristi, Sarcalogos, X, Xto, Xtus. (various references) |
| Source: compiled by the editor from various references. | ||
| Language | Date | Source | John Chapter 1, Verse 25 |
| Greek (transliterated) | 250 BC | Septuagint | Kai hrwthsan auton kai eipon autw ti oun baptizeiV ei su ouk ei o cristoV oute hliaV oute o profhthV |
| Latin | 405 | Vulgate | Et interrogaverunt eum et dixerunt ei quid ergo baptizas si tu non es Christus neque Helias neque propheta |
| Old English | 990 | West Saxon | ænd hyo axoden hyne & cwæðen tohym. hwi fullast þu; gyf þu ne eart nehelyas ne wytega. |
| Middle English | 1395 | Wyclif | And thei axiden hym, and seiden to hym, What thanne baptisist thou, if thou art not Crist, nether Elie, nether a profete? |
| Renaissance English | 1526 | Tyndale | And they axed him and sayde vnto him: why baptisest thou then yf thou be not Christ nor Helyas nether a Prophet? |
| Jacobean English | 1611 | King James | And they asked him, and said unto him, Why baptizest thou then, if thou be not that Christ, nor Elias, neither that prophet? |
| Victorian English | 1833 | Webster | And they asked him, and said to him, Why baptizest thou then, if thou art not that Christ, nor Elijah, neither that prophet? |
| Basic English | 1964 | Ogden | And they put this question to him, saying, Why then are you giving baptism if you are not the Christ, or Elijah, or the prophet? |
Source: compiled by the editor from various references; see credits. | |||
| Language | John Chapter 1, Verse 25 |
| Cebuano | Ug sila nangutana kaniya, "Nan, nganong nagapangbautismo ka man, nga dili ka man diay mao ang Cristo, ni si Elias, ni ang profeta?" |
| Croatian | Oni prihvatiše rijeè i upitaše ga: "Zašto onda krstiš kad nisi Krist, ni Ilija, ni Prorok?" |
| Danish | og de spurgte ham og sagde til ham: "Hvorfor døber du da, dersom du ikke er Kristus, ej heller Elias, ej heller Profeten?" |
| Dutch | En zij vraagden hem en spraken tot hem: Waarom doopt gij dan, zo gij de Christus niet zijt, noch Elias, noch de profeet? |
| Finnish | ja he kysyivät häneltä ja sanoivat hänelle: "Miksi sitten kastat, jos et ole Kristus etkä Elias etkä se profeetta?" |
| French | Ils lui firent encore cette question: Pourquoi donc baptises-tu, si tu n`es pas le Christ, ni Élie, ni le prophète? |
| German | Und sie fragten ihn und sprachen zu ihm: Warum taufst du denn, so du nicht Christus bist noch Elia noch der Prophet? |
| Haitian Creole | Yo mande li: Si ou pa ni Kris la, ni Eli, ni pwofèt la, di nou poukisa w'ap batize moun? |
| Indonesian-Bahasa Sehari-hari | bertanya, "Kalau engkau bukan Raja Penyelamat, bukan Elia, bukan juga Sang Nabi, mengapa engkau membaptis?" |
| Indonesian-Terjemahan Lama | Maka mereka itu menanya dia, serta berkata kepadanya, "Jikalau engkau ini bukan Kristus, dan bukan Elias, dan bukan nabi itu, apakah sebabnya engkau membaptiskan orang?" |
| Italian | Lo interrogarono e gli dissero: «Perché dunque battezzi se tu non sei il Cristo, né Elia, né il profeta?». |
| Korean | 또 물 어 가 로 되 ` 네 가 만 일 그 리 스 도 도 아 니 요 엘 리 야 도 아 니 요 그 선 지 자 도 아 닐 진 대 어 찌 하 여 세 례 를 주 느 냐 ?' |
| Maori | Na ka ui ratou ki a ia, ka mea ki a ia, He aha oti koe i iriiri ai, ki te mea ehara koe i a te Karaiti, ehara i a Iraia, ehara i te poropiti? |
| Norwegian | og de spurte ham: Hvorfor døper du da, når du ikke er Messias, og heller ikke Elias, og heller ikke profeten? |
| Portuguese | Então lhe perguntaram: Por que batizas, pois, se tu não és o Cristo, nem Elias, nem o profeta? |
| Rumanian | Ei i-au mai pus urmqtoarea kntrebare: ,,Atunci de ce botezi, dacq nu ewti Hristosul, nici Ilie, nici proorocul?`` |
| Shuar | Niisha tiarmiayi "Nuikia Krístuchuitiatmesha, Eríaschaitiatmesha, Yúsnan etserin Tátinia Núchaitiatmesha ¿urukamtai imiakratam?" tiarmiayi. |
| Spanish | Le preguntaron y le dijeron: --¿Entonces, por qué bautizas, si tú no eres el Cristo, ni Elías, ni el profeta? |
| Swahili | Basi, wakamwuliza Yohane, "Kama wewe si Kristo, wala Eliya, wala yule nabii, mbona wabatiza?" |
| Swedish | Och de frågade honom och sade till honom: "Varför döper du då, om du icke är Messias, ej heller Elias, ej heller Profeten?" |
| Uma | Ra'uli' wo'o-mi suro to Parisi toera: "Ane bela-ko Magau' Topetolo', bela-ko nabi Elia, bela wo'o-ko nabi to rajanci, napa-di pai' mponiu' -ko tauna-e?" |
Source: compiled by the editor from various references; see credits. | |
Derivations | |
Words beginning with "Christ": christen, christened, christening, christenings, christens, christiania, christianias, christie, christies, christy. (additional references) | |
Words containing "Christ": rechristen, rechristened, rechristening, rechristens, unchristened, unchristian. (additional references) | |
| |
"Christ" is suggested in spellcheckers for the following: Charost, chirst, Chrisp, Chriss, Chrisse, Christal, christl, christm, Christov, chrit, Chrith, Hristo. (additional references) | |
| Source: compiled by the editor, based on several corpora (additional references). | |
| Words ending with "ist": Cist, Frist, Gist, Glist, grist, Pist, Rist, schist, Wrist. (additional references) |
Scrabble® Enable2K-Verified Anagrams | |
| Words within the letters "c-h-i-r-s-t" | |
-1 letter: chits, shirt, stich. | |
-2 letters: chis, chit, cist, cris, hist, hits, ichs, itch, rich, shri, sith, stir, thir, this, tics. | |
-3 letters: chi, cis, hic, his, hit, ich, its, sic, sir, sit, sri, tic, tis. | |
-4 letters: hi, is, it, sh, si, ti. | |
| Words containing the letters "c-h-i-r-s-t" | |
+1 letter: christy, cithers, ostrich, richest. | |
+2 letters: actorish, archaist, britches, chariest, chariots, chartist, chestier, chirkest, chitters, christen, christie, citharas, citherns, cithrens, ditchers, haircuts, haricots, heretics, historic, hitchers, hysteric, orchitis, pitchers, rachitis, restitch, snitcher, stitcher, strophic, switcher, theriacs, trickish, tristich, trochils. | |
+3 letters: acroliths, ahistoric, anarchist, archaists, archivist, cantharis, catharsis, chantries, chapiters, charities, charriest, chartists, chastiser, cheeriest, chemistry, chertiest, chirpiest, chlorites, chorister, christens, christies, chromites, clothiers, courtship, flichters, heartsick, heuristic, hidrotics, hillcrest, hubristic, hysterics, orthicons, orthotics, ostriches, reechiest, rhetorics, rhythmics, ricochets, sketchier, smutchier, snatchier, snitchers, sphincter, starchier, starchily, starching, stenchier, stitchers, stitchery, switchers, theatrics, theriacas, torchiers, torchiest, tracheids, tribrachs, trichinas, trichites, trichomes, triptychs, tristichs, trochaics, trochilus, trochoids, twitchers, whitracks. | |
| Source: compiled by the editor from various references; see credits. SCRABBLE® is a registered trademark. All intellectual property rights in and to the game are owned in the U.S.A and Canada by Hasbro Inc., and throughout the rest of the world by J.W. Spear & Sons Limited of Maidenhead, Berkshire, England, a subsidiary of Mattel Inc. Mattel and Spear are not affiliated with Hasbro. | |
| 1. Definition 2. Synonyms 3. Crosswords 4. Usage: Modern | 5. Usage: Commercial 6. Images: Slideshow 7. Images: Photo Album 8. Images: Digital Art | 9. Quotations: Familiar 10. Quotations: Fiction 11. Quotations: Non-fiction 12. Quotations: Spoken | 13. Usage Frequency 14. Names: Frequency 15. Names: Derived from 16. Names: Company Usage | 17. Expressions 18. Expressions: Internet 19. Translations: Modern 20. Translations: Ancient | 21. Bible Trace 22. Derivations 23. Rhymes 24. Anagrams | 25. Bibliography |
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