How is Jesus King of kings and Lord of lords?

TL;DR:

Jesus reigns supreme as King of kings and Lord of lords, above every power and authority. Trusting Him as the King and Lord of our lives gives us purpose and hope in His eternal kingship and kingdom.

Being King of kings and Lord of lords means someone is supreme and has absolute authority over all. The use of King of kings and Lord of lords in connection with Jesus highlights His supreme power, rule, and authority as God. No one compares with His strength or ability to lead. In fact, Scripture declares there is only one God (Deuteronomy 6:4). The New Testament affirmation that Jesus is God includes Him as part of the Triune Godhead consisting of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit (Matthew 28:19; John 1:1, 1:14). Believing in Jesus’ kingship and lordship calls us to trust Him fully, surrender our fears, and live according to His will and purpose. It means living surrendered to the One who is King and Lord over everything. Living in light of Jesus’ reign empowers us to love others and live with an eternal perspective, knowing that our hope and confidence is in His reign and our eternal future with Him.

from the old testament

The exact phrase “King of kings” does not appear in the Old Testament. However, the Old Testament does describe God—and by extension the coming Messiah—as supreme over all rulers, which lays the foundation for calling Jesus “King of kings” in the New Testament. Deuteronomy 10:17-18, for example, says that “God is God of gods and Lord of lords” who “executes justice for the fatherless and the widow, and loves the sojourner, giving him food and clothing. He shows no partiality and accepts no bribes.” This highlights His ultimate authority over all.
In Psalm 47:2-8, God is described as the “King over all the earth” and ruler over nations.
God gives authority over all kingdoms to His chosen “Son of Man,” foreshadowing Jesus’ universal reign (Daniel 2:37-38; 7:13-14).
Psalm 136:3 says, "Give thanks to the Lord of lords, for his steadfast love endures forever." Again, the emphasis is on a perfect Lord, including His faithful love that endures for all time.

from the new testament

The phrase "King of kings" is used six times, including three times in relation to Jesus. In 1 Timothy 6:15-16, we read, "he who is the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of lords, who alone has immortality, who dwells in unapproachable light, whom no one has ever seen or can see." Jesus’ titles show His unique and perfect role as God. He is noted clearly as divine and of greater power than any other ruler.
Revelation 17:14 expresses Jesus’ power and authority: "They will make war on the Lamb, and the Lamb will conquer them, for he is Lord of lords and King of kings, and those with him are called and chosen and faithful." Again, the title Lord of lords is used to emphasize the power and authority of Jesus. The same emphasis is seen in the other usage in Revelation 19:16.

implications for today

Jesus is the King of kings and Lord of lords. No authority in this world surpasses His. All the rulers, powers, and circumstances we face are under His control, and His plans for justice, mercy, and redemption will ultimately prevail. Jesus as King of kings and Lord of lords calls us to trust Him fully, even when life feels uncertain. Jesus’ reign is perfect and eternal. He perfectly understands, and He perfectly rules over all.

When we believe that Jesus is the King of kings and Lord of lords, we can surrender our fears and ambitions to Him, knowing He directs all things for our good and His glory. This shapes how we live and who we trust as we make decisions and seek to live with purpose. When our supervisor asks us to do something dishonest at work, we don’t do it because we know that our ultimate King is Christ, and He wants us to live in truth. When our enemy gets sick, we don’t glorify over his misery because Jesus is Lord of our life and surpasses any petty vengeance we feel. Jesus as King of kings and Lord of lords strengthens us to serve others with humility, courage, and love, reflecting His authority and character in our daily lives. Ultimately, trusting His lordship gives us peace, hope, and confidence that no matter the trials we face, our future is secure in His eternal kingdom. As we follow Christ, we can walk with confidence, hope, and purpose, reflecting His reign in the way we seek to love others and love God in every aspect of our lives.

understand

Jesus is the King of kings, meaning He has supreme authority over all rulers and powers.
Jesus is the Lord of lords, meaning He is God and no one compares to Him.
Trusting Jesus as King of kings and Lord of lords calls us to surrender to Him and to live with hope.

reflect

How does knowing Jesus is King of kings and Lord of lords change the way you handle fear, uncertainty, or challenges in your life?
In what areas of your life are you still holding back from fully trusting and surrendering to Jesus’ authority?
How do your daily choices reflect that you live under the kingship and lordship of Jesus?

engage

How does Jesus’ supreme authority as King of kings and Lord of lords shape the way we view worldly power and leadership?
In what practical ways can we as believers reflect Jesus’ authority in humility and service?
How can we encourage each other to trust Jesus’ eternal reign with both our trials and ambitions?