What does it mean that Jesus is prophet, priest, and king?

Answer

There are three primary “offices” mentioned in the Old Testament—prophet, priest, and king. Jesus fulfills all three of these roles.

Jesus as a Prophet

Prophets were responsible for conveying God’s Word to people. In the Old Testament, this involved both declaring God’s truth to others and unveiling God’s plans for the future. Some prophets also performed miracles and healings.

The people of Jesus’ time often referred to Him as a prophet, and He also accepted this title Himself (Matthew 21:11;Luke 7:16;John 4:19;Mark 6:4). Both Peter and Stephen spoke of Jesus as the ultimate fulfillment of Moses’ prophecy in Deuteronomy 18:15—Jesus is the prophet like Moses who must be heeded (Acts 3:17-23;7:37-38, 51-53).

Jesus taught the Word of God, often using parables. “The people were amazed at his teaching, because he taught them as one who had authority, not as the teachers of the law” «And they were astonished at his doctrine: for he taught them as one that had authority, and not as the scribes. », (Mark 1:22).

Similar to the prophets of the Old Testament, Jesus also predicted the future. For instance, He informed His disciples about His forthcoming death and resurrection (Matthew 17:22-23;20:17-19), Judas’ betrayal (Matthew 26:20-25;John 13:18-30), and Peter’s denial (M

Matthew 26:31-35; Mark 14:27-30; Luke 22:61; John 13:31-38). He foretold the arrival of the Holy Spirit (John 16:7-15; Luke 24:49; Acts 1:4-5), the tribulation of His disciples (John 16:1-4, 33), and the ruin of the temple (Matthew 24:1-2). Particularly uplifting for present-day believers, Jesus prophesied His imminent return (Matthew 24:30-31; John 14:3).

Similar to numerous Old Testament prophets, Jesus conducted various healings and miracles (Matthew 8:1-17; 9:18-33; Mark 1:32-34; 2:1-12; Luke 17:11-19; 18:35-43; John 2:1-11; 6:1-24). He even likened Himself to Elijah and Elisha (Luke 4:24-27). The Nazarenes rejected Jesus, just as the Israelites did not accept Elijah and Elisha.

Jesus is the Word of God “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.”, (John 1:1). He doesn’t merely proclaim the Word of God as a human prophet, but is Himself the Word incarnate “And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father,) full of grace and truth.”, (John 1:14). He is the ultimate revelation, the final message of God: “In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last d

He says he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom also he made the universe” (Hebrews 1:1-2).

Jesus as Priest

Old Testament priests served as mediators between humans and God. It was the priests who offered sacrifices on behalf of the people. Jesus is our Mediator and our High Priest: “For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus” «For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; », (1 Timothy 2:5).

Hebrews 4–10 details how Jesus is our ultimate High Priest and how His priesthood is far superior to the Levitical priesthood of the Old Testament. The writer of Hebrews also explains how the Old Testament system of priests served to foreshadow the ministry of Jesus. The Levitical priesthood of Aaron’s line was not intended to continue forever. Jesus’ priesthood is eternal.

Hebrews 4:14–16 says, “Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin. Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.” With Jesus as our High Priest, we can go before God boldly, knowing that Jesus has true compassion on us and that, through Him, we will experience the grace and mercy of God (see also Hebrews 10:19-23).

Hebrews 7 shows how Jesus is a priest after the order of Melchizedek. Melchizedek was both a priest and the “king of Salem” who blessed Abraham (Hebrews 7:2; Genesis 14:18). Similarly, Jesus is not only a “priest forever” but also a king.

Jesus as King

The role of king in the Old Testament is exemplified by David. God referred to David as a man after His own heart (1 Samuel 13:14; Acts 13:22). He assured David, “Your house and your kingdom will endure forever before me; your throne will be established forever” «And thine house and thy kingdom shall be established for ever before thee: thy throne shall be established for ever. », (2 Samuel 7:16). This pledge was realized in the Messiah, who was also bestowed the title “Son of David.” Jesus embodies this Son of David and the legitimate King (Matthew 1:1; Revelation 22:16).

The angel Gabriel informed Mary that Jesus “will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end” (Luke 1:32-33).

The Son of David was destined to be a ruler of God’s people and also their savior. The Jews during Jesus’ era anticipated a political king (Matthew 21:1-11). However, Jesus triumphed over sin and death (1 Corinthians 15:54-57). He pledged that He will come back to the earth to reign as a king, initially in the Millennial Kingdom and then eternally (1 Corinthians 15:24-28).

Jesus possesses “all authority in heaven and on earth” «And Jesus came and spak

He said to them, “All power has been given to me in heaven and on earth.” (Matthew 28:18). He possesses “the name that is above every name” (Philippians 2:9-11). Jesus is the King of kings and Lord of lords “And He has on His vesture and on His thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.” , (Revelation 19:16), and one day He will be king in the earthly, political sense, as the burden of governance rests on His shoulders, reigning on Mt. Zion, and receiving homage from the nations (Psalm 2:6; Psalm 48:1-2; Isaiah 9:6; Isaiah 11:10). Even now, He is the ultimate authority. Although His enemies have not yet been made His footstool “The LORD said to my Lord, ‘Sit at my right hand, until I make your enemies your footstool.'” , (Psalm 110:1), Jesus should reign fully in our hearts.

Traditionally, the roles of prophet, priest, and king were separate, with no overlap. A king was not a priest or a prophet. A priest did not serve as a prophet or a king. And a prophet fulfilled the role of a prophet without seeking to be a king or a priest. However, Jesus Christ perfectly embodies all three roles at once: He is the Prophet, Priest, and King, bringing great blessings to the world.