Collection: Morning Star

Christ Himself

Some scholars consider the reference to be to Christ himself. Professor Andrew Hill has written: “Jesus Christ is described as the "˜morning star' in 2 Peter 1:19 (phosphoros) and in Revelation 2:28 (aster proinos), and He identifies Himself as "˜the bright morning star' (ho aster ho lampros ho proninos) in Revelation 22:16" (413). He goes on to point out that this “star" symbolism reflects the Old Testament and inter-testament emphasis on the “celestial" nature of the coming Messiah (cf. Numbers 24:17; Malachi 4:2).  

William Barclay suggested several ideas. He thought the expression could signify the coming resurrection of the righteous. Just as the “morning star" breaks forth from the darkness of night, so the Lord's people will break out of the darkness of the grave (1957, 67). Later, however, he came to a different conclusion. He was “quite certain" that the “correct interpretation" is this. The “morning star" is Christ himself. “If the Christian is true, when life comes to an end he will possess Christ, never to lose him again" (1959, 140).