Why is Jesus called the Lamb of God?

Quick answer

John the Baptist called Jesus «the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world» (John 1:29). The title connects Jesus to the Passover lamb and Isaiah 53's Suffering Servant — the sacrifice for sins.

Lambs ran through Israel's story: a lamb saved Israel's firstborn at Passover; lambs were offered daily on the temple altar; Isaiah 53 pictured a Servant «like a lamb to the slaughter» bearing the sin of many.

John the Baptist saw Jesus and recognized them all converging in him: «Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.» Revelation echoes the title two dozen times — the «Lamb who was slain.»

The title is both tender and triumphant. The Lamb of God is gentle enough to be slain — and powerful enough to receive «power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing» forever.

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Original BibleDawn answer · reviewed 2026-06. Drafted with AI assistance and reviewed for accuracy.