Characteristics of Jesus Christ in the New Testament
The New Testament portrays Jesus Christ with a multitude of characteristics that underscore his divinity, humanity, and mission. At the heart of these characteristics is his role as the "Lamb of God" [6], a title that signifies his sacrificial nature and redemption of humanity. Jesus is described as "altogether lovely" [1], embodying qualities such as holiness, righteousness, and faithfulness.
The biblical account emphasizes Jesus' sinlessness and innocence, highlighting his resistance to temptation and obedience to God the Father [1]. He is portrayed as "meek" and "lowly in heart" (Matthew 11:29), demonstrating humility and compassion. Jesus' character is also marked by zeal for God's work, as seen in his cleansing of the temple (John 2:17) and his statement, "My food is to do the will of him who sent me" (John 4:34).
The New Testament writers draw parallels between Jesus and various Old Testament figures and symbols, such as the Paschal Lamb, to illustrate his redemptive role [5]. Jesus is seen as the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies and types, embodying the qualities of the anticipated Messiah. For instance, he is compared to David, who was a king and a man after God's own heart (1 Samuel 13:14; Acts 13:22), and to the Suffering Servant of Isaiah 53, who bore the sins of many [8].
The characteristics of Jesus Christ are not only described directly but also inferred through his actions and teachings. His miracles, for example, demonstrate his divine power and compassion. The Gospel writers also highlight Jesus' emotional responses, such as his sorrow and anger, to show his humanity [1].
The significance of Jesus' character is not limited to his own person; it also serves as a model for his followers. The New Testament teaches that believers are called to emulate Jesus' characteristics, such as holiness, humility, and love [2, 4]. The apostle Paul writes that believers are to "put on the Lord Jesus Christ" (Romans 13:14), and the author of Hebrews notes that Jesus is the "pioneer and perfecter of faith" (Hebrews 12:2).
The characteristics of Jesus Christ are thus central to the New Testament's portrayal of him as the Son of God and Savior of humanity. Through his life, teachings, death, and resurrection, Jesus embodies the qualities that are essential to the Christian faith, serving as both the object of devotion and the model for Christian living [3].
The New Testament's emphasis on Jesus' character is reflected in the early Christian tradition, which saw him as the embodiment of God's love and redemption. As Matthew Henry notes, Jesus is the "Lamb standing upon mount Zion," symbolizing his presence with his people and his role as their Savior [6]. The biblical account of Jesus' character continues to shape Christian theology and practice, underscoring the importance of emulating his qualities in the life of faith.
The biblical descriptions of Jesus' character are reinforced by the typological connections made between Jesus and Old Testament figures. For example, Jesus is seen as the fulfillment of the priestly and kingly roles, anointed by God for his mission [3]. The New Testament writers draw on a range of Old Testament sources to illustrate Jesus' character, demonstrating the continuity between the two testaments.
In the view of the Protestant academic tradition, Jesus' character is closely tied to his role as the mediator of the new covenant, which is marked by forgiveness and remembrance of sins [7]. This understanding is rooted in the biblical text, which portrays Jesus as the one who brings about a new era of relationship between God and humanity.
The Nonconformist/Puritan tradition, represented by Matthew Henry, emphasizes the importance of Jesus' character for Christian devotion and practice. Henry's commentary on Revelation 14:1 highlights the significance of Jesus as the Lamb standing on Mount Zion, symbolizing his presence with his people [6].
The characteristics of Jesus Christ in the New Testament thus represent a rich and multifaceted portrait of the Son of God and Savior of humanity. Through his life, teachings, death, and resurrection, Jesus embodies the qualities that are essential to the Christian faith, serving as both the object of devotion and the model for Christian living.
Sources
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Christ, Character Of — Altogether lovely -- Song 5:16. Holy -- Lu 1:35; Ac 4:27; Re 3:7. Righteous -- Isa 53:11; Heb 1:9. Good -- Mt 19:16. Faithful -- Isa 11:5; 1Th 5:24. True -- Joh 1:14; 7:18; 1Jo 5:20. Just -- Zec 9:9; Joh 5:30; Ac 22:14. Guileless -- Isa 53:9; 1Pe 2:22. Sinless -- Joh 8:46; 2Co 5:21. Spotless -- 1Pe 1:19. Innocent -- Mt 27:4. Harmless -- Heb 7:26. Resisting temptation -- Mt 4:1-10. Obedient to God the Father -- Ps 40:8; Joh 4:34; 15:10. Zealous -- Lu 2:49; Joh 2:17; 8:29. Meek -- Isa 53:7; Zec 9:9; Mt 11:29. Lowly in heart -- Mt 11:29. Merciful ”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Holiness — Commanded -- Le 11:45; 20:7; Eph 5:8; Col 3:12; Ro 12:1. Christ Desires for his people. -- Joh 17:17. Effects, in his people. -- Eph 5:25-27. An example of. -- Heb 7:26; 1Pe 2:21,22. The character of God, the standard of -- Le 19:2; 1Pe 1:15,16; Eph 5:1. The character of Christ, the standard of -- Ro 8:29; 1Jo 2:6; Php 2:5. The gospel the way of -- Isa 35:8. Necessary to God's worship -- Ps 24:3,4. None shall see God without -- Eph 5:5; Heb 12:14. Saints Elected to. -- Ro 8:29; Eph 1:4. Called to. -- 1Th 4:7; 2Ti 1:9. New created in. -- Eph 4:24. Possess. ”
- Smith's Bible Dictionary “Smith's Bible Dictionary: Jesus Christ — "The life and character of Jesus Christ," says Dr. Schaff, "is the holy of holies in the history of the world." + NAME.--The name Jesus signifies saviour . It is the Greek form of [713]Jehoshua (Joshua). The name Christ signifies anointed. Jesus was both priest and king. Among the Jews priests were anointed, as their inauguration to their office. (1 Chronicles 16:22) In the New Testament the name Christ is used as equivalent to the Hebrew Messiah (anointed), (John 1:41) the name given to the long-promised Prophet and King whom the Jews had been taught b”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Character of Saints — Attentive to Christ's voice -- Joh 10:3,4. Blameless and harmless -- Php 2:15. Bold -- Pr 28:1; Ro 13:3. Contrite -- Isa 57:15; 66:2. Devout -- Ac 8:2; 22:12. Faithful -- Re 17:14. Fearing God -- Mt 3:16; Ac 10:2. Following Christ -- Joh 10:4,27. Godly -- Ps 4:3; 2Pe 2:9. Guileless -- Joh 1:47. Holy -- De 7:6; 14:2; Col 3:12. Humble -- Ps 34:2; 1Pe 5:5. Hungering after righteousness -- Mt 5:6. Just -- Ge 6:9; Hab 2:4; Lu 2:25. Led by the Spirit -- Ro 8:14. Liberal -- Isa 32:8; 2Co 9:13. Loving -- Col 1:4; 1Th 4:9. Lowly -- Pr 16:19. Meek -- Isa ”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Paschal Lamb, Typical Nature Of — A type of Christ -- Ex 12:3; 1Co 5:7. A male of the first year -- Ex 12:5; Isa 9:6. Without blemish -- Ex 12:5; 1Pe 1:19. Taken out of the flock -- Ex 12:5; Heb 2:14,17. Chosen before-hand -- Ex 12:3; 1Pe 2:4. Shut up four days that it might be closely examined -- Ex 12:6; Joh 8:46; 18:38. Killed by the people -- Ex 12:6; Ac 2:23. Killed at the place where the Lord put his name -- De 16:2,5-7; 2Ch 35:1; Lu 13:33. Killed in the evening -- Ex 12:6; Mr 15:34,37. Its blood to be shed -- Ex 12:7; Lu 22:20. Blood of, sprinkled on lintel an”
- Revelation (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Revelation 14:1: Here we have one of the most pleasing sights that can be viewed in this world - the Lord Jesus Christ at the head of his faithful adherents and attendants. Here observe, 1. How Christ appears: as a Lamb standing upon mount Zion. Mount Zion is the gospel church. Christ is with his church and in the midst of her in all her troubles, and therefore she is not consumed. It is his presence that secures her perseverance; he appears as a Lamb, a true Lamb, the Lamb of God. A counterfeit lamb is mentioned as rising out of the earth in the last chapter, which was really”
- Hebrews (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Hebrews 8:12: 8:12 A final characteristic of the new covenant is that God would forgive their wickedness and never again remember their sins. The blood of Jesus cleanses his people completely from sin (9:13-15; 10:14-18, 22; 1 Jn 1:7).”
- Isaiah (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Isaiah 53 (introduction): The two great things which the Spirit of Christ in the Old Testament prophets testified beforehand were the sufferings of Christ and the glory that should follow, Pe1 1:11. And that which Christ himself, when he expounded Moses and all the prophets, showed to be the drift and scope of them all was that Christ ought to suffer and then to enter into his glory, Luk 24:26, Luk 24:27. But nowhere in all the Old Testament are these two so plainly and fully prophesied of as here in this chapter, out of which divers passages are quoted with application to Chr”