8 Now in the same region there were shepherds living out in the open fields who were keeping a night watch over their flock. 9 Then an angel of the Lord stood near them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were scared out of their wits. 10 But the angel said to them, “Don’t be afraid. For behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11 A savior was born for you today. He is Christ the Lord. This happened in the town of David.” (Luke 2:8-11)
You may be familiar with the story of the shepherds that visited baby Jesus in the manger on the night he was born. They learned about his birth from the appearance of an angel who announced to them that a “Savior was born.” Click here to read the full account in the Gospel of Luke in the Blue Letter Bible.
A savior is someone who rescues or saves someone from danger, harm, or death. In doing so, the savior is said to bring salvation. The Greek word for “savior” (σωτήρ) is almost always used with a personal reference.* That means that the savior is either human or divine, and what is saved is a person. In secular Greek usage, the title was typically applied to a god, physician, philosopher, ruler, or other person who performed a notable saving action. However, in the New Testament the title is only applied to the true God and to Jesus Christ.
A previous posting focused on the name “Jesus” in Matthew 1:21 which reports that Joseph was told not only what to name the child but also the reason for the name – Jesus “will save his people from their sins”. Jesus is the Greek form of the Hebrew name Joshua, which means “God is salvation.” Jesus is his personal name that expresses his humanity, but also indicates his role – providing salvation. The name “Jesus” highlights the primary purpose of his coming as Savior.
A savior rescues someone from something and often to or for something. Those who look to Jesus as Savior are rescued from eternal death to everlasting life, and from brokenness to wholeness.
The angel revealed the Good News of the birth of the Savior to the shepherds. The baby they searched for and found in the manger was Jesus – the Savior of the world
*Note: See page 1137 in the Theological Dictionary of the New Testament, Abridged Version.
Word Focus Lexicon
Lexical Form: ὁ σωτήρ σωτῆρος <Hear It> Gloss: savior Part of Speech: Third Declension Masculine Noun New Testament Frequency: 24 Strong’s Number:G4990 (Link to Blue Letter Bible Lexicon)
Unless otherwise noted, English translations of Bible verses are by the author from the Greek text and are not quotations from any copyrighted Bible version or translation.
Koine Foundations 
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