Did Jesus Himself Say That He Wasn’t the Christ?
1. The Confusion Around the Question
At first glance, some readers of the Bible think they find a verse where Jesus denies being the Christ. The verse is John 1:20: “He confessed, and did not deny, but confessed, ‘I am not the Christ.’”
However, this statement is not made by Jesus. It is John the Baptist who says it, in response to questioning from Jewish leaders. They were sent to determine whether he was the Messiah, Elijah, or the Prophet. John makes it abundantly clear that he is none of these.
The confusion arises when this denial is misattributed to Jesus. Careful reading shows that the Bible never records Jesus denying His messianic identity. Instead, the Gospels consistently present Him as the Christ.
2. The Denial of John the Baptist
John the Baptist had attracted enormous attention in Judea. Because of his preaching and baptizing, many wondered if he might be the Messiah. The Jewish leaders asked him directly:
“Are you the Christ?” (John 1:20)
“Are you Elijah?” (John 1:21)
“Are you the Prophet?” (John 1:21)
To each question, John said no. His answers were short and firm:
“I am not the Christ.”
“I am not.”
“No.”
Instead of elevating himself, John redirected attention. He pointed beyond himself to Jesus, declaring: “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world” (John 1:29). He also testified, “I have seen and have borne witness that this is the Son of God” (John 1:34).
John’s denial was not weakness or doubt but obedience. His calling was to prepare the way for the Lord, to make straight the path for the coming King (Isaiah 40:3; John 1:23).
3. The Claims of Jesus About Himself
While John denied being the Christ, Jesus did the opposite. The Bible records several moments where Jesus accepted or claimed the title:
In conversation with the Samaritan woman: “I who speak to you am He” (John 4:26).
Before His disciples: Peter confessed, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God,” and Jesus blessed him for this confession (Matthew 16:16–17).
At His trial: When asked, “Are you the Christ, the Son of the Blessed?” Jesus answered, “I am” (Mark 14:61–62).
These passages show that Jesus embraced His role as the Christ. He did so carefully, often avoiding premature public declarations, but never denying His true identity.
4. The Role of the Christ in Scripture
To understand why Jesus would never deny being the Christ, it helps to recall what “Christ” means. The word is the Greek equivalent of “Messiah,” meaning “Anointed One.”
The Old Testament anticipated the Christ through promises of:
A King from David’s line (2 Samuel 7:12–16).
A Servant who would suffer for the sins of many (Isaiah 53:4–6).
A Prophet greater than Moses (Deuteronomy 18:15).
A Priest who would intercede forever (Psalm 110:4).
Jesus fulfilled each of these roles in His life, death, and resurrection. The New Testament writers constantly affirm that He is the Christ who embodies God’s promises.
5. The Witness of the Apostles
The early church continued to emphasize Jesus as the Christ. The apostolic preaching in Acts and the letters of Paul repeat this truth:
Peter proclaimed: “God has made Him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified” (Acts 2:36).
Paul wrote: “For no matter how many promises God has made, they are ‘Yes’ in Christ” (2 Corinthians 1:20).
John emphasized: “Who is the liar but he who denies that Jesus is the Christ?” (1 John 2:22).
The apostles saw the resurrection as God’s vindication of Jesus’ claim to be the Christ. His exaltation to the right hand of God confirmed Him as King and Lord over all creation.
6. The Centrality of Christ to the Gospel
The question of whether Jesus denied being the Christ is not a small matter. The entire Gospel rests on the truth that Jesus is the Christ:
If He were not the Christ, He could not be the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.
If He were not the Christ, He could not be the risen Lord who reigns over all.
If He were not the Christ, the hope of salvation for Jew and Gentile alike would collapse.
But the Bible is clear. Jesus never said He was not the Christ. Instead, He fulfilled the role of Messiah in ways that surprised many. Rather than conquering Rome, He conquered sin and death. Rather than setting up an earthly throne immediately, He inaugurated God’s Kingdom through His death and resurrection.
7. The Last Days and the True Christ
The New Testament often ties Jesus’ identity as the Christ to the “last days.” Hebrews 1:1–2 says: “Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days He has spoken to us by His Son.”
In the last days:
The Christ has already come, accomplishing redemption.
The Christ is reigning at God’s right hand.
The Christ will return to judge and renew creation.
This understanding shapes Christian hope. The true Christ has come, and His victory secures the future. False claims about His identity—whether from misunderstanding or denial—must be corrected by the testimony of Scripture.
Conclusion
The Bible never records Jesus denying that He was the Christ. The statement “I am not the Christ” belongs to John the Baptist, who faithfully denied false expectations and pointed people to Jesus. In contrast, Jesus consistently embraced His role as the Messiah, fulfilling Scripture and proclaiming Himself as the one who brings God’s salvation.
The question, Did Jesus Himself say that he wasn’t the Christ?, must therefore be answered with clarity: No, He did not. The witness of the Bible is that Jesus is the Christ—the Lamb of God, the Son of God, and the fulfillment of all God’s promises. This truth stands at the center of the Gospel and secures the hope of God’s people in the last days.
Bible Verses Related to Jesus as the Christ
John 1:20 – “I am not the Christ” (John the Baptist’s denial).
John 1:29 – “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!”
John 4:26 – “I who speak to you am He.”
Matthew 16:16 – “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”
Mark 14:62 – “I am, and you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power.”
Acts 2:36 – “God has made Him both Lord and Christ.”
2 Corinthians 1:20 – “All the promises of God find their Yes in Him.”
1 John 2:22 – “Whoever denies that Jesus is the Christ—this is the antichrist.”
Hebrews 1:2 – “In these last days He has spoken to us by His Son.”
Revelation 11:15 – “The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ.”
