The identity of Jesus

Q: What does the title "Messiah" (or Christ) mean in Matthew's Gospel?

It means "Anointed One" (from the Hebrew Mashiach and Greek Christos ), designating Jesus as the long-awaited deliverer and King of Israel chosen by God.

Q: What are the two distinct layers of meaning behind Jesus' title "Son of Man"?

It signifies both his true humanity and suffering as well as his heavenly authority and power as divine judge from Daniel 7.

Q: What do the names "Jesus" and "Emmanuel" mean?

"Jesus" means "God saves" (or "The Lord saves" ), and "Emmanuel" means "God with us" (Matthew 1:23).

Q: How do the Magi and the Flight to Egypt reveal Jesus' identity in the birth narratives?

The Magi honor Jesus as the "King of the Jews," while the Flight to Egypt parallels Moses' life, portraying Jesus as the New Moses .

Q: What was Peter's confession at Caesarea Philippi in Matthew 16?

Peter declared: "You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God."

Religious Studies 4610 · CCEA GCSE · 6 min read · Updated: 1 Sept 2026

Welcome to Matthew's Gospel: The Identity of Jesus

Welcome to your study guide for Unit 4: Christianity through a Study of the Gospel of Matthew (CCEA GCSE Religious Studies 4610). In this unit, we explore one central question that runs through the entire Gospel: Who is Jesus?

Don't worry if this seems a bit overwhelming at first! Think of Matthew's Gospel like a courtroom case or a detailed detective file. Matthew is presenting clear evidence to his readers to prove exactly who Jesus is through his family history, divine titles, and key moments in his life.

Key Takeaway: Matthew wrote his Gospel primarily for a Jewish-Christian audience to demonstrate that Jesus is the promised deliverer who fulfills Old Testament prophecy.

Part 1: The Key Titles of Jesus

Throughout Matthew, different titles are used to describe Jesus. Each title tells us something unique about his character, role, and authority.

1. Messiah (Christ)

The Greek word Christos translates the Hebrew word Mashiach, which means "Anointed One". In the Old Testament, kings, priests, and prophets were anointed with oil as a sign that God had chosen them for a special task. Matthew presents Jesus as the long-awaited deliverer and King of Israel.

2. Son of David

This is a royal title. The Jewish people expected the Messiah to be a direct descendant of their greatest earthly king, King David. By calling Jesus the "Son of David," Matthew shows that Jesus has the legal and royal right to the throne of Israel.

3. Son of God

This title highlights Jesus' unique, intimate, and divine relationship with God the Father. It is not just an earthly title; it points to his divine origin. God the Father personally confirms this title from heaven at both the Baptism (Matthew 3:17) and the Transfiguration (Matthew 17:5), declaring: "This is my Son, whom I love."

4. Son of Man

This was Jesus' favorite way to refer to himself! It has two important layers of meaning:
• Humanity and Suffering: It shows Jesus as truly human, sharing in human weakness, poverty, and suffering.
• Heavenly Authority and Power: It connects directly to the Old Testament book of Daniel (Daniel 7), where the "Son of Man" comes on the clouds of heaven with divine authority to judge the world.

5. Saviour and Emmanuel

• Jesus: The name "Jesus" literally means "God saves" or "The Lord saves".
• Emmanuel (Matthew 1:23): Means "God with us". This signifies that in Jesus, God is physically present among His people.

Memory Trick (5 Key Titles): Remember M-D-G-M-E — Messiah, David's Son, God's Son, Man's Son, Emmanuel!

Key Takeaway: Jesus holds royal titles (Messiah, Son of David), divine titles (Son of God, Emmanuel), and a dual title of humility and heavenly judgment (Son of Man).

Part 2: Crucial Narrative Evidence in Matthew

Matthew does not just list titles; he provides narrative evidence (stories and events) to prove Jesus' true identity. Let's look at the five major events you must know for your CCEA exam.

1. The Genealogy (Matthew 1:1–17)

Matthew opens his Gospel with a family tree. While family trees can look dry, this one is crucial! It deliberately traces Jesus' ancestry back to Abraham (the father of the Jewish nation) and King David.
• Why it matters: It proves to Jewish readers that Jesus has the legal pedigree required to be the promised Messiah.

2. The Birth and Infancy Narratives (Matthew 1:18–2:23)

Matthew includes specific birth stories that reveal Jesus' status:
• The Visit of the Magi: Wise men from the East come seeking the one born "King of the Jews" and worship him with royal gifts.
• The Flight to Egypt: Joseph and Mary flee to Egypt with Jesus to escape King Herod. This mirrors the story of Moses, presenting Jesus as the New Moses who leads his people to salvation.

3. The Baptism of Jesus (Matthew 3:13–17)

When John the Baptist baptizes Jesus in the River Jordan, three vital things happen:
• The heavens open.
• The Spirit of God descends like a dove to anoint Jesus.
• A voice from heaven speaks: "This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased."
• Why it matters: God Himself confirms Jesus' identity as the Son of God and marks the start of his public ministry.

4. Peter's Confession at Caesarea Philippi (Matthew 16:13–20)

Jesus asks his disciples, "Who do people say the Son of Man is?" After they list various prophets, Jesus asks, "Who do you say I am?"
• Simon Peter replies: "You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God."
• Jesus blesses Peter, explaining that this truth was revealed to him directly by the Father in heaven.

5. The Transfiguration (Matthew 17:1–8)

Jesus leads Peter, James, and John up a high mountain. There, Jesus' face shines like the sun and his clothes become dazzling white.
• Moses and Elijah appear: Moses represents the Law and Elijah represents the Prophets.
• The Voice from the Cloud: A cloud envelops them and God speaks: "This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!"
• Why it matters: Jesus is revealed in his divine glory, showing that he fulfills and holds greater authority than the Law (Moses) and the Prophets (Elijah).

Key Takeaway: From his ancestry to his mountain-top Transfiguration, each narrative event confirms Jesus' royal lineage, his prophetic role as the New Moses, and his divine identity as God's Son.

Part 3: Common Exam Pitfalls & Examiner Tips

Avoid these common traps to maximize your AO1 (Knowledge & Understanding) and AO2 (Evaluation) marks in the exam:

Pitfall 1: Confusing "Son of Man" with "Son of God"
Mistake: Writing that "Son of Man" only means Jesus was an ordinary human being.
Fix: Remember that in Matthew, "Son of Man" also points to Daniel 7, signifying Jesus' heavenly power, divine authority, and role as the ultimate judge!

Pitfall 2: Blending the Gospels (The Shepherd Error)
Mistake: Mentioning shepherds visiting baby Jesus at the stable.
Fix: Shepherds are in Luke's Gospel! Matthew features the Magi (Wise Men) visiting a house and the Flight to Egypt. Always keep your details strictly focused on Matthew.

Pitfall 3: Giving Vague, Generic Answers
Mistake: Saying "Peter said Jesus was God's son somewhere in the Gospel."
Fix: Use precise details and references! Name the location (Caesarea Philippi) and chapter (Matthew 16), and quote Peter's exact declaration: "You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God."

Pitfall 4: Focusing on the "Messianic Secret"
Mistake: Treating the "Messianic Secret" as the main theme of Matthew.
Fix: The "Messianic Secret" is a central theme in Mark, not Matthew. In Matthew, focus on Jesus as the Teacher, the King, and the New Moses who fulfills Old Testament scripture.

Quick Revision Summary Checklist

Can you answer these quick review questions?
1. What does the name "Emmanuel" mean? (God with us)
2. Who are the two key Old Testament figures named in Jesus' genealogy in Matthew 1? (Abraham and King David)
3. What did the voice from heaven say at Jesus' Baptism and Transfiguration? ("This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.")
4. Who appeared alongside Jesus at the Transfiguration, and what did they represent? (Moses representing the Law, and Elijah representing the Prophets)
5. What was Peter's confession at Caesarea Philippi? ("You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.")

Quick check

Can you answer these now?

Open each question to check the key ideas from this chapter.

Who was the primary target audience for Matthew's Gospel, and what was its central aim?

Matthew wrote primarily for a Jewish-Christian audience to demonstrate that Jesus is the promised deliverer who fulfills Old Testament prophecy.

What does the title "Messiah" (or Christ) mean in Matthew's Gospel?

It means "Anointed One" (from the Hebrew Mashiach and Greek Christos), designating Jesus as the long-awaited deliverer and King of Israel chosen by God.

Why is the title "Son of David" significant in Matthew's Gospel?

It is a royal title establishing that Jesus is a direct descendant of King David, giving him the legal and royal right to the throne of Israel.

What does the title "Son of God" emphasize about Jesus?

It emphasizes Jesus' unique, intimate, and divine relationship with God the Father, confirming his divine origin rather than just an earthly status.

What are the two distinct layers of meaning behind Jesus' title "Son of Man"?

It signifies both his true humanity and suffering as well as his heavenly authority and power as divine judge from Daniel 7.

What do the names "Jesus" and "Emmanuel" mean?

"Jesus" means "God saves" (or "The Lord saves"), and "Emmanuel" means "God with us" (Matthew 1:23).

Why is the genealogy in Matthew 1:1–17 important for Matthew's readers?

It proves Jesus' legal and royal ancestry by tracing his lineage back to Abraham and King David.

How do the Magi and the Flight to Egypt reveal Jesus' identity in the birth narratives?

The Magi honor Jesus as the "King of the Jews," while the Flight to Egypt parallels Moses' life, portraying Jesus as the New Moses.

What happens at the Baptism of Jesus to confirm his identity?

The heavens open, the Spirit of God descends like a dove, and a heavenly voice declares: "This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased."

What was Peter's confession at Caesarea Philippi in Matthew 16?

Peter declared: "You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God."

What is the significance of the appearance of Moses and Elijah at the Transfiguration?

Moses represents the Law and Elijah represents the Prophets, showing that Jesus fulfills and holds greater authority than both.

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