Dictionary of Bible Themes  »  2000 Jesus Christ  »  2300 Jesus Christ, ministry and work of  »  2303 Jesus Christ, as creator  »  2312 Jesus Christ, as king

Jesus Christ is declared king at his birth: he descends from the royal line of David. People rejected his kingly claims at his crucifixion but God exalted him to his rightful place of power and majesty. At the end of time Jesus Christ will rule the nations for ever.

Jesus Christ descends from the royal line of David

He was the Son of David

Matthew 1:1 The Messiah was expected to come from David's line. The genealogy given by Matthew follows the royal line of the kings descended from David. See also Matthew 9:27; Matthew 12:23; Matthew 15:22; Luke 1:32-33; Luke 2:4; Luke 3:31

He was born in Bethlehem, the town of David

John 7:42 See also Matthew 2:3-6; Micah 5:2; Luke 2:15-16

Jesus Christ is regarded as king

John 1:49 By Nathanael. See also Matthew 2:1-2 by the Magi; John 6:15 by the crowds; Acts 17:7 by Jason of Thessalonica

Jesus Christ refused worldly kingdoms

John 18:36 See also Matthew 4:8-10 pp Luke 4:5-8; John 6:15

Jesus Christ entered Jerusalem as a king

Matthew 21:1-9 pp John 12:12-15 See also Zechariah 9:9

Jesus Christ's kingship is an issue at his trial

Pilate questions Jesus Christ

Luke 23:2-3 pp Matthew 27:11 pp Mark 15:2 pp John 18:33 Pilate's first words to Jesus Christ are the same in all the Gospels.

Jesus Christ claims to be a spiritual king

John 18:36-37 See also Matthew 27:11 pp Mark 15:2 pp Luke 23:3

Pilate appeals to the crowd to accept Jesus Christ as their king

Mark 15:9

The crowd reject Jesus Christ as king

Mark 15:12-13 See also John 19:12-15

Jesus Christ is mocked as king

Matthew 27:27-30 pp Mark 15:16-20 pp John 19:2-3

Jesus Christ is declared king at his crucifixion

John 19:19-22 pp Matthew 27:37 pp Mark 15:26 pp Luke 23:38 Jesus Christ's claim to be king was the “crime” for which he was executed.

God has exalted Jesus Christ to his rightful place as king

Hebrews 1:3 See also Hebrews 8:1; Hebrews 12:2; Revelation 5:6; Revelation 7:17; Revelation 22:1-3

As king, Jesus Christ welcomes believers into his kingdom

Luke 23:42-43 See also 2 Timothy 4:18; Revelation 3:20-21

Jesus Christ is king of all kings

He will rule over the nations

Revelation 1:5 See also Psalm 2:7-9; Daniel 7:13-14; Matthew 19:28; Matthew 25:31-32; Romans 15:12; 1 Corinthians 15:25; Philippians 2:9-10; Revelation 12:5; Revelation 17:14; Revelation 19:11-16

He is king for ever

Revelation 11:15 See also Isaiah 9:7; Luke 1:33; Hebrews 1:8; Psalm 45:6

See also

2215  Christ, Son of David
2230  Messiah, coming of
2336  Christ, exaltation
2345  Christ, kingdom of
2366  Christ, prophecies concerning
2372  Christ, victory
2375  kingdom of God
2525  Christ, cross of
2565  Christ, second coming
2585  Christ, trial
2590  Christ, triumphal entry
5368  kingship