A leader or saviour of a particular group or
cause
 The promised deliverer of the Jewish nation
prophesied in the Hebrew Bible. Jesus was
regarded as the Messiah, which was the
saviour of humankind.
 The messiah can also mean the ‘anointed
one’.

The old Testament makes a substantial number of
references to the ‘coming of the messiah’ or the
‘chosen one’.
 The major prophecy in the book of Isaiah was that
a Messiah will save Israel and restore ‘everlasting
peace’ (Isaiah 2) and rule over the united nation of
Israel
 The covenant made between God and Abraham,
that his descendants would never end, gives insight
that the messiah would be of the Davidic line.

An advisor of King David also received a prophecy,
God spoke to him and said the Davidic line is
everlasting. This prophecy is linked with Luke’s
Gospel as Luke 3:23-38, lists the descendents of
Kind David all the way to Jesus Christ.
 Furthermore with the Messiah being of the Davidic
line, and the prophecy to Isaiah, saying ‘he will rule
over Israel’, people were expecting a political
leader, that would be King.
 Isaiah 9:2-7 gives the prophecy of the coming of
the Messiah


Isaiah 2:3-5, “.... He will teach us what he wants
us to do; we will walk in the paths he had
chosen. For the LORD’s teaching come from
Jerusalem; from Zion he speaks to his people.
He will settle disputes among great nations.
They will hammer their swords into ploughs and
their spears into pruning knives. Nations will
never again go to war, never prepare for
battle again. now descendents of Jacob, let us
walk in the light which the LORD gives us.”
This passage found in the Old Testament,
depicts a prophecy that Isaiah received about
the coming of the chosen one, the messiah.
 The way that it mentions that the messiah
would “settle disputes among great nations”
refers to the union of a gentile and Jewish
community. Luke as an author also strove to
resolve such a dispute by writing the Gospel to
both a Jewish yet more Gentile community.
Outlining that the messiah was the chosen one
to resolve all disputes and unite the people to
form a single and whole community.


Isaiah 9:6-7, “... A child is born to us! A son is
given to us! And he will be our ruler. He will be
called ‘wonderful counsellor’, ‘mighty god’,
‘eternal father’ and ‘prince of peace’. His royal
power will continue to grow; his kingdom will
always be at peace. He will rule as Kind
David’s successor, basing his power on right
and justice, from now until the end of time”.

This passage alerts the audience to what
type of messiah the people of Israel were
looking for. The term ‘ruler’ and ‘royalty’
mentioned indicates that the people were
expecting a political messiah.
 It also makes reference to the theme of
fulfilment as the child was given to
humankind to unite the community. Also
the reference to him as ‘might one’ is
evident throughout the New Testament and
throughout the gospel of Luke. The
Magnificat describes Jesus as ‘might one’.

The New Testament, more tells the audience
about how the messiah has come and his
fulfilment of the prophecies.
 All the Gospels wrote about the birth of Jesus
and, how he was the chosen one.
 This is evident in the infancy narratives.
Matthew 1:18-24, Mark begins his gospel after
the birth of Jesus has occurred, Luke 2:1-21 and
John also like Mark begins his gospel after the
birth of Jesus.

The New Testament also sheds light on the last
prophet; John the Baptist.
 The way that the infancy narratives are placed
in most gospels, especially in Luke, emphasises
the different roles of the two children.
 John the last prophet, paving the way for the
true messiah, Jesus Christ.

The New Testament also makes reference to the
‘everlasting covenant’ where Jesus is the life to be
taken to save human kind. Which elaborates on
the purpose of the messiah, to preach God’s words
and will, then make the ultimate sacrifice for
humankind.
The New Testament also reveals Jesus’ message to
the community. It’s evident that the teachings of
Jesus, preached the Kingdom of God was for
everyone and his love expanded to all the
community. This is especially evident in the Gospel
According to Luke.


Luke 22:14-23, “Before I suffer...this is my body given
for you” these versus depict that the everlasting
covenant is referred to. The giving of Jesus’ body
signifies the pain that Jesus will endure to have
human kind.
 Mark 9:23-24, “Everything is possible for the person
who has faith” this emphasises that ‘the person’ is
everyone, the whole community and therefore
Jesus is preaching to everyone who has faith in
God, and the Kingdom of God.

The coming of the messiah is evident in the gospel
of Luke.
 The teachings of Jesus are in Chapter 6 of the
gospel.
 In Luke’s Gospel john the Baptist is mistaken for the
messiah, and this comparison between there births
emphasises that specific roles of the children.
 There is also a great repetition of the words, “song
of God”, “Messiah”, “Chosen One” and “Son of
Man” which highlight that Jesus was the Messiah.

The birth of John (Luke 1:57-66) and the birth of the
messiah (Luke 2:1-7) are closely positioned to
highlight the comparison.
 John is the prophet born before the messiah who is
to lead the way for Jesus. The child “will be called
the prophet of the Most High” (Luke 1:67-80) which
shows that the John was the prophet of the
Chosen One of the messiah.
 Also John specifically mentions while baptising that
he isn’t the messiah and that there is “one who is
more powerful than I is coming” (Luke 3:15-16).


Luke Chapter 1. emphasises the importance of the
messiah and announces that he is coming.
Zechariah’s Prophecy 1:67-80 states; “he has shown
us the mercy promised”. Which indicates that the
child Jesus is the promised one.
 Luke Chapter 4. the beginning of Jesus’ ministry
and his teachings. 4:16-30, is where Jesus subtly
mentions his position and status. Also in that
passage he says “Today this scripture had been
fulfilled”. This indicates that he is the messiah that
has been sent and he has fulfilled the scriptures.
Luke Chapter 6. “for power came out of him”
(6:19) this emphasises the power not only of the
Jesus but also the power of God himself.
This chapter especially 6:27-36 describes Jesus’
teachings and purpose.


2004, “The Catholic Youth Bible International
Edition”. New Revised Standard Version: Catholic
Edition. St Mary’s Press, China
 Tannehill, Robert C. “Abingdon New Testament
Commentaries: Luke”, 1996, Abingdon Press,
Nashville.
 Bryne, Brendan. “The Hospitality of God: A reading
of Luke’s Gospel”, 2000, St. Paul Publications,
Strathfield NSW.
