The idea of the Messiah comes from the Hebrew Bible (what Christians call the Old Testament). The word Messiah(Hebrew: Mashiach) means “anointed one.” In the ancient world, kings, priests, and prophets were anointed with oil as a sign of being chosen by God. Over time, Jewish people developed the belief that in the future, God would send a special anointed leader — the Messiah — who would bring salvation, justice, and peace.
Christians and Jews both read the Hebrew Scriptures, but they interpret the messianic prophecies differently. This is one of the most important differences between the two faiths.
Key Messianic Prophecies in the Hebrew Bible
1. A King from the Line of David
2 Samuel 7:12–16 – God promises King David that one of his descendants will rule forever.
Jews believe this means the Messiah will be a political leader from David’s family.
Christians believe Jesus fulfilled this by being born into David’s line, but his eternal rule is spiritual rather than political.
2. A Time of Peace and Justice
Isaiah 9:6–7 describes a future ruler called “Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Prince of Peace” who will bring justice and peace without end.
Jews expect this to mean real peace on earth. Since war and suffering continue, they argue the Messiah has not yet come.
Christians interpret Jesus’ coming as the beginning of this peace, which will be completed at his Second Coming.
3. The Suffering Servant
Isaiah 53 speaks of a servant of God who suffers, is rejected, and bears the sins of others.
Christians believe this prophecy points to Jesus’ suffering and crucifixion.
Jews usually interpret this passage differently, often seeing the “servant” as the nation of Israel, which has suffered on behalf of the world.
4. The Gathering of the Exiles
Jeremiah 23:5–8 and Ezekiel 37:24–28 promise that the Messiah will gather all Jews back to the land of Israel.
Jews still wait for this prophecy to be fulfilled.
Christians sometimes see this gathering as spiritual — people of all nations being gathered into the “kingdom of God” through Jesus.
5. The Rebuilding of the Temple
Ezekiel 40–48 describes a future Temple in Jerusalem where God’s presence will dwell.
Jews believe the Messiah will rebuild the Temple as a sign of God’s restored covenant.
Christians believe Jesus himself replaced the Temple — he is the place where people meet God.
Jewish and Christian Interpretations
Judaism teaches that since Jesus did not bring world peace, rebuild the Temple, or gather all Jews back to Israel, he cannot be the Messiah. The Messiah is still to come.
Christianity teaches that Jesus is the Messiah who fulfilled the prophecies spiritually. They believe his death and resurrection fulfilled Isaiah’s vision of the suffering servant, and that the final promises will be completed at his return.
Academic Perspectives
Scholars highlight that both Judaism and Christianity use the same texts, but apply different methods of interpretation:
Jewish scholars read the prophecies in their historical context, seeing them as promises for the Jewish people.
Christian scholars read them in light of the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus, often interpreting them symbolically or spiritually.
This difference in interpretation explains why Jews and Christians draw such different conclusions about who the Messiah is.
📚 Key Terms:
A binding promise/agreement; God's agreement to look after his chosen people.
The execution of Jesus on the cross.
Key moral principle; fairness in the way people are treated.
The time of God’s rule over the Earth.
Judaism - ‘The anointed one’. Orthodox Jews believe that the Messiah will be a human person sent by God to establish justice and peace on the earth. For Reform Jews, the Messiah is a symbolic figure.
Christianity - The saviour of humanity. Jesus.
Christianity - belief that Jesus came back to life in a physical body.
Being raised from the dead; part of beliefs about life after death that in a future age the dead will rise and live again.
This is how Jesus is described in John’s Gospel.
🔗 Related Resources:
Level: GCSE+