simply means “anointed one.” To be anointed is to be set apart and empowered by God for a task he appoints. In Israel, priests and kings were always anointed; prophets were also anointed from time to time (for anointed priests see Ex. 28–30, for anointed kings 1 Sam. 9 and 16). In Jesus’ day, “Christ” came to signify a specific king, one anointed with God’s strength to deliver the people. The people thought of the Christ as a king because they hoped for a military victory and release from Rome. One
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