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The title John the Baptist gave Jesus — declaring him the sacrificial lamb whose death takes away the sin of the world.
The title 'Lamb of God' connects Jesus directly to the Old Testament sacrificial system — and specifically to the Passover lamb. When John the Baptist first identified Jesus to his disciples (John 1:29), he chose this title above any other. He could have called Jesus 'Messiah' or 'King' or 'Prophet,' but he chose 'Lamb' — locating Jesus in the line of every animal sacrificed since Abel for the forgiveness of sin. The sacrificial system that began at the gates of Eden, that defined Israel's worship for 1,500 years, and that filled the Jerusalem Temple with blood — all of it pointed forward to one Lamb. The Passover connection is unmistakable. On the original Passover night (Exodus 12), the blood of an unblemished lamb on the doorposts of Israelite homes caused the angel of death to pass over. The lamb died so the firstborn could live. Christ's crucifixion happened during Passover week — and 1 Corinthians 5:7 makes the link explicit: 'Christ our passover is sacrificed for us.' The blood of the true Passover Lamb covers his people, and the angel of judgment passes over. The book of Revelation completes the picture. The Lamb who was slain is now enthroned at the center of heaven (Revelation 5). The wounds remain visible — eternal evidence of the price paid for redemption. The Lamb is worshiped by every creature in heaven and on earth. The Lamb opens the seven seals of history. The Lamb's wedding feast is the consummation of all things (Revelation 19:9). The title 'Lamb of God' encompasses Christ's entire saving work: his sinless life (unblemished), his sacrificial death (slain), his resurrection (alive forevermore), and his eternal reign (enthroned). Every Catholic Mass includes the Agnus Dei — 'Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world, have mercy on us' — drawn directly from John 1:29.
“Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.”
John the Baptist's declaration when Jesus first approaches
“Ye were redeemed... with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot.”
“I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne... stood a Lamb as it had been slain.”
Christ enthroned in heaven still bearing his wounds
“Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing.”
“He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter.”
OT prophecy fulfilled in Christ
To call Jesus the Lamb of God is to confess that you cannot save yourself. The Old Testament worshiper brought a lamb to the temple because their sin required a death — and they could not die themselves and live. The Lamb died in their place. To trust Christ as the Lamb of God is to confess: my sin required a death, and the death was his. The Christian life is not a project of self-improvement adequate to make God overlook sin — it is reliance on the death of a Lamb whose blood covers what cannot otherwise be covered.
Jesus is called the Lamb of God because he is the fulfillment of every Old Testament sacrifice — particularly the Passover lamb (Exodus 12) and the suffering lamb of Isaiah 53. John the Baptist first applied the title to Jesus (John 1:29), declaring him the one whose death would 'take away the sin of the world.' Christ's crucifixion occurred during Passover week, making the connection explicit: he is 'our Passover Lamb' (1 Corinthians 5:7) whose blood covers his people from God's judgment.
It means Jesus's death accomplished what every Old Testament sacrifice could only foreshadow — the actual removal of sin's penalty. Hebrews 10:4 says 'it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins' — those sacrifices pointed forward. Christ's single sacrifice 'put away sin' (Hebrews 9:26). For those who trust in him, the angel of judgment passes over because the blood of the Lamb covers them.
The Agnus Dei (Latin for 'Lamb of God') is the prayer sung or recited in the Catholic Mass just before Holy Communion. It is based on John 1:29 and is sung three times: 'Lamb of God, who take away the sins of the world, have mercy on us. Lamb of God, who take away the sins of the world, have mercy on us. Lamb of God, who take away the sins of the world, grant us peace.' The Agnus Dei has been part of the Mass since the late 7th century.