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Question

Was Jesus an angel?

was Jesus an angel
Answer


The word angel literally means “messenger.” Although there is a sense in which Jesus could be seen as God’s ultimate “Messenger,” He was not an angel. Jesus was the Son of God incarnate. He created the angels.

Angels are ministering spirits sent forth to serve those who will inherit salvation (Hebrews 1:14). These “sons of god” appear regularly throughout the patriarchal age of the Old Testament (see Job 38:7; Genesis 6:1–4; 19:1–22; 24:7, 40). They appear to Moses (Exodus 3:1–2; 14:19) and to Israel (Numbers 22:22–35; Joshua 5:13–15). They are seen during the time of the judges (Judges 5:23; 6:11–24), during the time of the kings (1 Kings 19:5–7; Isaiah 37:36), and during the Babylonian captivity (Ezekiel 1; Daniel 3:28). They figure into the visions of Zechariah and are mentioned in the songs of Israel (e.g., Psalm 8:5; 34:7; 78:25; 91:11).

Pertinent to the question of whether Jesus was an angel is a curious distinction made in the Old Testament. Whereas an angel is often introduced as “an angel” of the Lord, a pre-incarnate appearance of Christ Himself, or a Christophany, is introduced by the phrase “the Angel of the Lord.” A few examples of a Christophany or theophany are as follows:

• Jesus talked with Abraham (Genesis 18)
• Jesus wrestled with Jacob (Genesis 32:30)
• Jesus appeared to Moses in the burning bush (Exodus 3:2–6; John 8:58)
• Jesus met with Samson’s parents (Judges 13)
• Jesus joined Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in the fiery furnace (Daniel 3:24–25)
• Jesus called Isaiah into ministry (Isaiah 6:1–5; John 12:41)



Most people miss the glory of Christ in the Old Testament because they miss that He’s been revealing Himself throughout history. But His appearances as “the Angel of the Lord” do not make Him a typical angel. Scripture speaks altogether differently about Jesus than it does about angels. For example, in Hebrews 1:3 the author writes,

[The Son] is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high. (ESV)

Notice three things in this verse. First, Jesus is the “exact imprint” of God’s being. We get the idea of photography, stamps, and carvings from the Greek concept of an “imprint.” Jesus is set apart from any other being as He represents God with exactitude. Those who have seen Jesus have seen the Father (John 14:9). Second, the author declares that Jesus is the sole sacrifice provided for the forgiveness of sins. The accomplished task of perfectly displaying God’s likeness and perfectly paying for human vice is never attributed to an angel. Third, Jesus sits at the right hand of God. The declaration makes Jesus more than an angel because the right hand of God is a place of honor, power, and authority (Psalm 74:11; 110:1).

Jesus isn’t an angel, as the author of Hebrews makes explicit as he continues: “The Son is far greater than the angels, just as the name God gave him is greater than their names” (Hebrews 1:4, NLT). The text goes on to offer proof of Jesus’ superiority and divine nature:

• He is Son to God the Father (Hebrews 1:5)
• The angels worship Jesus (verse 6)
• Angels are servants, but Jesus has an eternal scepter and rule (verses 7–9)
• Jesus created the world and all that exists (verses 10–12)
• Jesus has the authority to conquer all enemies (verse 13)

Jesus is superior to the angels in identity, power, responsibility, and reign. Angels are servants to Jesus’ mission, never the other way around. No angel is worthy of our allegiance. Jesus, the Son of God, is the authority over all, and we should ascribe to Him a name that is above every other name (Philippians 2:9).

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This page last updated: June 30, 2025