The ICHTHUS

The ΙΧΘΥΣ

In Matthew 4:19 Jesus invited Simon (later to be called ‘Peter’) and his brother Andrew (later to be called ‘Andrew’) into a special relationship as His disciples.  Jesus did so by saying, “Come, follow me, and I will make you fishers of the human race.”

For Christians, the fish as a symbol of Christian discipleship, dates back to the first century.

Jesus’ name is the Greek version of His Hebraic name – ישוע (Hebrew reads right to left)

Transliterated from Hebrew it looks/sounds like Yeshua, or Joshua, which means “The LORD saves”

In Greek, Jesus’ name looks like this: Ἰησοῦς

The first letter of His name in Greek is the “Iota” (i)

So in the ΙΧΘΥΣ the first letter is the Greek “Iota” for Jesus’ name -  Ἰησοῦς

Jesus is known as the Christ, which is the Greek version of Messiah – מָשִׁיחַ

Transliterated from Hebrew it looks/sounds like Mashiach, which means “anointed one”

We often think of Christ as synonymous with “Savior,” but it is actually a term of kingship

In Greek, Christ looks like this: Χριστός

The first letter of “Christos” in Greek is the “Chi” (ch)

So in the ΙΧΘΥΣ the second letter is the Greek “Chi” for Jesus’ title as anointed king – Χριστός

Jesus is eternally God, which in Greek is θεός

The first letter of “Theos” in Greek is “Theta” (th)

So in the ΙΧΘΥΣ the third letter is the Greek “Theta” for Jesus’ eternal divinity as God

Jesus is fully God, but He is part of the Holy Trinity as the Eternal Son

In Greek, son looks like this: Υἱός

The first letter of “(h)uios” in Greek is the “Upsilon” (y)

So in the ΙΧΘΥΣ the fourth letter is the Greek “Upsilon” for Jesus as eternal Son

Jesus is also the Savior of the world, which in Greek is σωτήρας

The first letter of “Soteras” in Greek is “Sigma” (s)

So in the ΙΧΘΥΣ the fifth letter is the Greek “Sigma” for Jesus as Savior of humanity

So when you see a “fish,” called the ICHTHUS (pronounced ick-thoos) you can see a very powerful symbol of Jesus!

I  - He is a real person with a real name – Yeshua, or Jesus.

CH - He is the Christ or Messiah – our anointed King.

TH - He is eternally God.

U  - He is eternally Son as part of the Holy Trinity.

S  - He is humanity’s promised Savior from death and sin.

Blessings,

-Kevin