The term “Agnus Dei” is Latin for “Lamb of God.” It refers to Jesus Christ and comes from the Gospel of John where John the Baptist declares Jesus as “the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world” (John 1:29). The phrase highlights several theological truths about Jesus and His work of salvation:
Jesus as the sacrificial lamb
In the Old Testament, lambs were used as sacrifices for the atonement of sins. When John calls Jesus the “Lamb of God” he is pointing to Jesus as the ultimate sacrifice that takes away not only one person’s sins but the sins of the whole world (1 John 2:2). Just as the Passover lamb’s blood saved the Israelites from death (Exodus 12:1-13), Jesus’ blood saves believers from spiritual death and judgment for their sins (Romans 6:23).
Jesus’ sinless nature
The sacrificial lambs used in the Old Testament had to be without blemish or defect (Exodus 12:5). This was a foreshadowing of Jesus’ sinless nature and His perfection as the true Lamb of God (Hebrews 4:15). Though He was tempted, Jesus never sinned (1 Peter 2:22). His perfection qualified Him to be the once-for-all sacrifice that fully atoned for sin.
Jesus’ sacrificial death
The image of the lamb emphasizes Jesus’ sacrificial death on the cross. He gave His life freely out of submission to the Father’s will (John 10:18). Just as the Passover lambs were killed to save the Israelite firstborns, Jesus was crucified to save people from the consequences of sin and death (1 Corinthians 5:7). Those who believe in Him receive eternal life (John 3:16).
Jesus’ gentleness and meekness
Unlike other animals, lambs are known for being gentle, mild-mannered, and non-violent. In the same way, Jesus exemplified these attributes – He did not retaliate against those who persecuted Him but entrusted Himself to God (1 Peter 2:23). He described Himself as “gentle and lowly in heart” (Matthew 11:29). As the Lamb of God, Jesus shows that salvation comes not through force or coercion, but through sacrificial, humble service motivated by love.
“Behold the Lamb of God”
When John called Jesus the “Lamb of God” he was likely remembering the Old Testament prophecy about the Messiah from Isaiah 53:7 – “He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth; he was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before its shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth.” In light of this prophecy, “Behold the Lamb of God” is an invitation to fix one’s gaze upon Jesus and who He is as the fulfillment of Old Testament anticipation of a Savior.
Christ as Passover sacrifice
As mentioned earlier in connection with the Passover lamb, Christ Himself is portrayed as the Passover sacrifice in the New Testament. Just as the blood of the Passover lamb delivered the Israelites from the judgment of the angel of death and from slavery in Egypt, so the blood of Christ delivers believers from slavery to sin and from final judgment (1 Corinthians 5:7; 1 Peter 1:18-19).
Agnus Dei in Christian tradition
The term Agnus Dei has been frequently used throughout Christian history and tradition:
- It is used as a liturgical prayer addressed to Christ. The words “Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world, have mercy on us” are inspired by John the Baptist’s declaration about Christ in John 1:29.
- In Catholic tradition, popes have blessed lambs whose wool is used to make palliums (bands of white wool) worn over the shoulders by archbishops as a sign of unity with the pope.
- Agnus Dei has been used as a name for Christian symbols, art, and liturgical objects depicting a lamb, often bearing a cross or banner.
- It is a standard part of the Mass in the Roman Catholic Church, during which the priest says “Lamb of God” three times while breaking the consecrated bread before Holy Communion.
- For centuries in Western Christianity, the chant Agnus Dei has been sung during the Fraction (the breaking of the bread) as part of the liturgy.
- The phrase also appears in musical settings across Christendom, like in Samuel Barber’s Adagio for Strings and Georges Bizet’s Agnus Dei.
Jesus as the Lamb who was slain
The book of Revelation includes over twenty references to Jesus as the Lamb. A key example is Revelation 5:6 where John sees a vision of the Lamb standing “as though it had been slain.” This ties back to the Passover lambs which had to be slaughtered. It also connects to Isaiah’s prophecy about the suffering servant led like a lamb to the slaughter (Isaiah 53:7). In his vision, John sees Jesus still bearing the marks of His sacrificial death, even in His resurrected glory.
Jesus as the conquering Lamb
Though Jesus is portrayed as a sacrificial lamb, Revelation also shows Him as a conquering Lamb that triumphs over evil. In Revelation 17, the lamb overcomes the wicked kingdoms of this world that stand in opposition to God. Through His sacrificial death and resurrection, Jesus achieved victory over sin and death (1 Corinthians 15:54-57). Though He laid down His life willingly, He took it up again in power and will return one day to judge the world in righteousness as the Lamb who is Lord of lords and King of kings (Revelation 17:14).
Worshipping the Lamb
The book of Revelation depicts worship being given to both God the Father and Jesus, the Lamb. In Revelation 5:13, the angels, living creatures and elders together sing “To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be praise and honor and glory and power, for ever and ever!” Jesus is singled out as being worthy to receive the same worship as God, highlighting his divine nature and oneness with the Father (Philippians 2:6).
Overcoming by the blood of the Lamb
In Revelation 12:11, the saints overcome Satan “by the blood of the Lamb” along with the word of their testimony. This harkens back to the Passover lamb’s blood which saved the Israelites while the Egyptians were destroyed. For believers, Jesus’ sacrificial death and blood provide atonement for sins (Hebrews 9:12, 22) and protection from the evil one (1 John 5:18). Through Christ’s blood, believers are purchased, redeemed and justified before God (Hebrews 9:12-14; Romans 5:9).
The lamb’s book of life
The book of Revelation also references the “Lamb’s book of life” containing the names of the saved (Revelation 21:27). Jesus determines who remains in the book and who does not (Revelation 13:8). Having one’s name written in the Lamb’s book of life indicates belonging to Christ and being granted eternal life with God. All whose names are not found there will be cast into the lake of fire (Revelation 20:15).
The marriage supper of the Lamb
In Revelation 19, John sees a vision of the “marriage supper of the Lamb” where Christ, the Lamb, celebrates with His bride, the Church. This metaphor depicts the intimate, everlasting union between Christ and believers. It shows the consummation of God’s promises to His people and the eternal communion they will enjoy with the Lamb who redeemed them.
Living water and the Lamb’s throne
In Revelation 22, which describes the New Jerusalem, John sees the river of the water of life flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb. The Lamb is depicted as sharing the throne with God the Father as they dwell together with redeemed believers in the new creation. This culminates the Bible’s themes of living water (John 4:10), God’s presence with His people (Ezekiel 48:35), and the centrality of the Lamb in God’s purposes.
Key themes
In summary, the lamb imagery used for Jesus Christ in Scripture emphasizes these key themes:
- Christ’s sacrificial death to atone for sins
- His sinless nature making Him the perfect offering for sin
- His gentleness, meekness and submission
- His triumphing over evil and delivering His people
- The protection and victory found in His blood
- Believers’ eternal union with the Lamb
When John called Jesus the “Lamb of God” he was pointing people to Jesus’ true identity. As the Lamb, Jesus fulfilled Old Testament prophecies, died sacrificially to redeem sinners, conquered death through His resurrection, is worthy of worship as the divine Son of God, and will return one day to make all things new. That is the profound meaning behind the simple yet incredibly powerful phrase “Agnus Dei” – the Lamb of God.
