The Hebrew Scriptures present a Messiah who is both a suffering servant and a conquering king. This apparent tension, humiliation and glory, rejection and enthronement, led some Jewish interpreters to speak of two figures: Messiah ben Joseph (the suffering deliverer) and Messiah ben David (the reigning king). Scripture itself, however, reveals one Messiah who fulfills both roles across two advents. In His first coming, He bears sin and reconciles; in His return, He judges and reigns.

Seeing how these two strands interweave clarifies the Gospel, illuminates prophecy, and deepens worship.