Podcast Summary: Simply Put — “Offices of Christ”

Host: Barry Cooper (Ligonier Ministries)
Date: October 28, 2025

Episode Overview

This episode of “Simply Put” unpacks the meaning and significance of the “offices of Christ”—a foundational theological concept describing the threefold role that Jesus fulfills as prophet, priest, and king. Host Barry Cooper explains these biblical terms in clear, practical language, showing how Christ uniquely holds all three offices and relating this reality to the overall story of Scripture.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Understanding “Office” in Theology

• (00:00-00:45)
  • The term “office” refers to a particular role of authority—comparable to the way a president “takes office.”
  • The “offices of Christ” are the distinct, divinely appointed authorities that Jesus alone perfectly fulfills.
• Notable Quote:

  “Jesus is often spoken of as holding a threefold office. If you want to be really flashy, the theological Latin is munus triplex.”
  — Barry Cooper (00:24)

2. The Threefold Office: Prophet, Priest & King

• (00:45-03:15)
  • Christ means "anointed one"—a title reflecting how prophets, priests, and kings in the Old Testament were anointed with oil.
  • Only Jesus fills all three roles simultaneously; no Old Testament figure held all the offices together.
  • The munus triplex idea is rooted in early church history (Eusebius, 4th century) and was developed by the Reformers, notably John Calvin.
  • These roles create a “connective tissue” between Old and New Testament history—anticipating and fulfilled in Christ.
• Notable Quote:

  “Just as God’s people in the Old Testament had their prophets, priests, and kings, so in the New Testament, God’s people finally meet their ultimate prophet, priest and king, Jesus Christ.”
  — Barry Cooper (01:30)

• Old Testament office-holders were flawed and incomplete. Christ is the summit and par excellence of all three offices.

3. Jesus as the Ultimate Prophet

• (03:15-04:10)
  • Old Testament prophets declared God’s word; Jesus is not only the messenger, but the very Word of God incarnate (John 1).
  • Old Testament prophets pointed forward to "a better prophet."
  • Jesus is both the deliverer and the subject of prophecy.
• Notable Quote:

  “Jesus not only declared the word of God, according to John chapter one, he is the word of God. He is literally God’s Word incarnate, God’s Word in the flesh.”
  — Barry Cooper (03:54)
  “The Scriptures bear witness about me.” (Jesus, quoted by Barry Cooper, 04:05)

4. Jesus as the Ultimate Priest

• (04:10-05:06)
  • Old Testament priests interceded for the people and offered sacrifices for sin.
  • Jesus surpasses this by being both the perfect high priest and the sacrifice itself.
  • His once-for-all sacrifice atones fully and finally for sin, unlike the repetitive sacrifices of the Old Testament.
• Notable Quote:

  “He’s both the offering and the offerer.”
  — Barry Cooper (04:38)
  “Jesus’ sacrifice of himself was made once and for all because it really does fully and finally atone for the sin of his people.”
  — Barry Cooper (04:52)

5. Jesus as the Ultimate King

• (05:06-06:20)
  • Jesus declared, “the kingdom of God is in the midst of you”—implying that the true King (God’s anointed) was among them.
  • Christ is depicted as reigning with God the Father, with all things subjected to him.
  • Early Christians proclaimed this royal authority in the face of Roman claims, leading to persecution.
  • Jesus is both “descended from King David and yet… Lord over King David.”
• Notable Quote:

  “Who ever heard of a king’s son who is lord over the king?”
  — Barry Cooper (06:00)
  “That is exactly the status—the office of King Jesus. He is the King of all kings, the Lord of all Lords.”
  — Barry Cooper (06:10)

6. Reformed Catechism and Final Summary

• (06:20-07:10)
  • Westminster Larger Catechism Q42: Jesus is called “Christ” because he is anointed with the Holy Spirit to execute the offices of prophet, priest, and king “in both his humiliation and exaltation.”
  • The episode concludes with a concise restatement: Jesus Christ is uniquely the prophet, who was also the priest, who was also the king.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Theological Latin:

  “If you want to be really flashy, the theological Latin is munus triplex.”
  — (00:24)

• Incarnation:

  “He is literally God’s Word incarnate, God’s Word in the flesh.”
  — (03:54)

• Jesus’ Uniqueness:

  “He’s both the offering and the offerer.”
  — (04:38)
  “That is exactly the status—the office of King Jesus. He is the King of all kings, the Lord of all Lords.”
  — (06:10)

Key Timestamps

• 00:00-00:45 — Introduction to “offices” and munus triplex
• 00:45-03:15 — Biblical and historical foundation for the threefold office
• 03:15-04:10 — Jesus as Prophet
• 04:10-05:06 — Jesus as Priest
• 05:06-06:20 — Jesus as King
• 06:20-07:10 — Reformed catechism and summary of Christ’s offices

This episode provides a succinct yet robust explanation of the threefold office of Christ, connecting Old Testament anticipation with New Testament fulfillment—and clarifying why understanding Christ as prophet, priest, and king matters for every Christian’s faith.