Jesus Christ excels over all of creation and reigns supreme over everthing in the created order.
The scope of Jesus Christ's pre-eminence
Over all people
John 17:2 See also Matthew 25:31–32; Romans 10:12
For You granted Him authority over all people, so that He may give eternal life to all those You have given Him.
Over his enemies
1 Corinthians 15:25–26 See also Acts 2:32–35; Psalm 110:1; Ephesians 4:8 Paul probably interpreted “captives” to refer to the spiritual enemies of Christ defeated at the cross.
For He must reign until He has put all His enemies under His feet. The last enemy to be destroyed is death.
Over every power and authority
Colossians 2:15 See also Ephesians 1:21
And having disarmed the powers and authorities, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.
Over all traditions and institutions
Matthew 12:8 parallels Mark 2:28, Luke 6:5
Over all things
1 Corinthians 15:28 See also Matthew 11:27 parallel Luke 10:22; Matthew 28:18; John 3:35, John 13:3, John 16:33; Acts 10:36; Philippians 3:21; Hebrews 2:8
And when all things have been subjected to Him, then the Son Himself will be made subject to Him who put all things under Him, so that God may be all in all.
The pre-eminence of Jesus Christ in relation to others
To other prophets
Matthew 3:11, Matthew 12:41 parallel Luke 11:32; John 1:26–27, John 1:30, John 3:30; Hebrews 1:1–2
To the patriarchs
John 1:17, John 8:52–58; Hebrews 3:3–6
To Aaron and other high priests
Hebrews 8:1–6 See also Hebrews 4:14, Hebrews 6:20, Hebrews 7:23, Hebrews 7:26–28, Hebrews 9:11–14, Hebrews 9:24–26
The point of what we are saying is this: We do have such a high priest, who sat down at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in heaven, and who ministers in the sanctuary and true tabernacle set up by the Lord, not by man. And since every high priest is appointed to offer both gifts and sacrifices, it was necessary for this One also to have something to offer. Now if He were on earth, He would not be a priest, since there are already priests who offer gifts according to the law. The place where they serve is a copy and shadow of what is in heaven. This is why Moses was warned when he was about to build the tabernacle: “See to it that you make everything according to the pattern shown you on the mountain.” Now, however, Jesus has received a much more excellent ministry, just as the covenant He mediates is better and is founded on better promises.
To angels
1 Peter 3:22 See also Hebrews 1:4–14
who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, with angels, authorities, and powers subject to Him.
To other lords and kings
Revelation 17:14 See also 1 Timothy 6:15; Revelation 19:16
They will make war against the Lamb, and the Lamb will triumph over them, because He is Lord of lords and King of kings; and He will be accompanied by His called and chosen and faithful ones.”
Descriptions of Jesus Christ's pre-eminence
He is the head
Colossians 2:10 See also Ephesians 1:9–10, Ephesians 1:22, Ephesians 4:15, Ephesians 5:23–24; Colossians 1:18
And you have been made complete in Christ, who is the head over every ruler and authority.
He is the capstone
Matthew 21:42 parallels Mark 12:10–11, Luke 20:17 By so saying Jesus Christ applied this verse to himself. The capstone/cornerstone was the most significant stone of a building's structure. See also Psalm 118:22; Acts 4:11; Ephesians 2:20; 1 Peter 2:7
Jesus said to them, “Have you never read in the Scriptures: ‘The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone. This is from the Lord, and it is marvelous in our eyes’?
He is the Chief Shepherd
John 10:11; Hebrews 13:20; 1 Peter 5:4
The reasons for Jesus Christ's pre-eminence
His divine origin
John 3:31 See also John 1:1–2, John 17:24
The One who comes from above is above all. The one who is from the earth belongs to the earth and speaks as one from the earth. The One who comes from heaven is above all.
His equality with the Father
John 10:30 See also Colossians 1:19, Colossians 2:9
I and the Father are one.”
His authority derives from the Father
He possesses the rights of the firstborn
Colossians 1:15–17 As the firstborn son has the rights and privileges of an heir, so Jesus Christ is heir of all things by virtue of his pre-existence and sonship. See also Romans 8:29; Hebrews 1:6
The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For in Him all things were created, things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities. All things were created through Him and for Him. He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together.
He has a superior name
Philippians 2:9 See also Acts 4:12; Hebrews 1:4
Therefore God exalted Him to the highest place and gave Him the name above all names,
He is the First and the Last
Revelation 1:17 This title implies that all things are summed up in Christ and find their purpose in him. See also Revelation 2:8, Revelation 22:13
When I saw Him, I fell at His feet like a dead man. But He placed His right hand on me and said, “Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last,
Examples of events whereby Jesus Christ's pre-eminence is recognised
His entry into Jerusalem
Matthew 21:4–9 parallels Mark 11:7–10, Luke 19:35–38, John 12:12–15; Zechariah 9:9
His resurrection
Romans 1:4; 1 Corinthians 15:21–23; Revelation 1:5
His exaltation to the Father's right hand
Acts 5:31 See also Acts 2:33, Acts 7:55; Ephesians 1:20–21, Ephesians 4:8–10; Philippians 2:9–11; Colossians 3:1; Hebrews 8:1, Hebrews 10:12; 1 Peter 3:22; Revelation 3:21
God exalted Him to His right hand as Prince and Savior, in order to grant repentance and forgiveness of sins to Israel.
Related themes
Dictionary of Bible Themes © 1999 Martin Manser, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0, via Bible Aquifer. Formatted for this site, with Scripture from the Berean Standard Bible.