Meaning and Significance of Jesus' Name in Scripture
The name Jesus is the Greek form of the Hebrew name Yeshua, or Joshua, meaning "the Lord saves" or "savior" [1, 2, 6, 7]. This name was common in ancient Israel, as evidenced by figures like Joshua, the son of Nun, who led the Israelites into the Promised Land [3, 13]. The New Testament applies the Greek form Iēsous to Jesus of Nazareth, distinguishing him from others by referring to him as "Jesus of Nazareth" or "Jesus the son of Joseph" [3, 4].
The significance of the name Jesus is directly tied to his mission. The angel announced to Joseph that Mary would "bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins" (Matthew 1:21) [7]. This highlights Jesus' role as the divine deliverer. The term "his people" can refer to Israel or to the church, which includes both Jews and Gentiles [7].
The name "Christ" is not a surname but an official title, derived from the Greek Christos, which translates the Hebrew Messiah [1, 5]. Both terms mean "Anointed One" [1, 5]. In ancient Israel, priests and kings were anointed as part of their inauguration into office [1]. Jesus is understood to be both priest and king, consecrated for his redemptive work [1, 5]. Prophets also received anointing, and Jesus fulfills the roles of Prophet, Priest, and King [5].
In biblical thought, a person's name represents their identity and authority [9]. To act "in the name of the Lord Jesus" means to act in harmony with his identity and under his authority [9]. The name of Jesus Christ is also a sign of ownership for believers, often pronounced at conversion and baptism [8]. John Gill notes that knowing Jesus' name means understanding him as the "able, willing, complete, all sufficient, and everlasting Saviour" [10]. The name of Jesus is considered glorious and above every other name, signifying his eternal reign and the spread of his glory throughout the earth [11, 12].
Sources
- Smith's Bible Dictionary “Smith's Bible Dictionary: Jesus Christ — "The life and character of Jesus Christ," says Dr. Schaff, "is the holy of holies in the history of the world." + NAME.--The name Jesus signifies saviour . It is the Greek form of [713]Jehoshua (Joshua). The name Christ signifies anointed. Jesus was both priest and king. Among the Jews priests were anointed, as their inauguration to their office. (1 Chronicles 16:22) In the New Testament the name Christ is used as equivalent to the Hebrew Messiah (anointed), (John 1:41) the name given to the long-promised Prophet and King whom the Jews had been taught b”
- Smith's Bible Dictionary “Smith's Bible Dictionary: Jesus — called Jestus, a Christian who was with St. Paul at Rome. (Colossians 4:11) (A.D. 57.) (saviour). + The Greek form of the name Joshua or Jeshua, a contraction of Jehoshua, that is, "help of Jehovah" or "saviour." (Numbers 13:16) + Joshua the son of Nun. (Numbers 27:18; Hebrews 4:8) [[712]Jehoshua]”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Jesus — (1.) Joshua, the son of Nun (Acts 7:45; Heb. 4:8; R.V., "Joshua"). (2.) A Jewish Christian surnamed Justus (Col. 4:11). Je'sus, the proper, as Christ is the official, name of our Lord. To distinguish him from others so called, he is spoken of as "Jesus of Nazareth" (John 18:7), and "Jesus the son of Joseph" (John 6:42). This is the Greek form of the Hebrew name Joshua, which was originally Hoshea (Num. 13:8, 16), but changed by Moses into Jehoshua (Num. 13:16; 1 Chr. 7:27), or Joshua. After the Exile it assumed the form Jeshua, whence the Greek form Jesus. It”
- STEPBible TIPNR “Biblical proper name: [email protected]=G2424G — Man living at the time of the New Testament (refs: #A man from the tribe of Judah living at the time of the New Testament, first mentioned at Mat.1.1; )”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Christ — Anointed, the Greek translation of the Hebrew word rendered "Messiah" (q.v.), the official title of our Lord, occurring five hundred and fourteen times in the New Testament. It denotes that he was anointed or consecrated to his great redemptive work as Prophet, Priest, and King of his people. He is Jesus the Christ (Acts 17:3; 18:5; Matt. 22:42), the Anointed One. He is thus spoken of by Isaiah (61:1), and by Daniel (9:24-26), who styles him "Messiah the Prince." The Messiah is the same person as "the seed of the woman" (Gen. 3:15), "the seed of Abraham" (Ge”
- Hitchcock's Bible Names “Hitchcock's Bible Names: Jesus — savior; deliverer”
- Matthew (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Matthew 1:21: 1:21 Jesus is the Greek form of the Hebrew name Yeshua, which means “The Lord saves.” The name appropriately describes his role: he will save his people from their sins. • His people may refer either to Israel as a nation (2:6) or to the Messiah’s people, the church, which is comprised of both Jews and Gentiles (4:15-16; 16:18; 28:18-20).”
- James (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on James 2:7: 2:7 name you bear (literally name spoken over you): The name is Jesus Christ (2:1). It is a sign of ownership, pronounced at the time of conversion and baptism.”
- Colossians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Colossians 3:17: 3:17 as a representative of the Lord Jesus (literally in the name of the Lord Jesus): In the Bible, a person’s name represents that person. To do something in the name of the Lord Jesus is therefore to act in a way that is in harmony with his identity and under his authority.”
- Psalms (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Psalms 9:9: And they that know thy name,.... As proclaimed in the Gospel, a God gracious and merciful, and forgiving sin; and as in Christ, in whom his name is, and in whom he is the God of love, grace, and mercy, though out of him a consuming fire; or the name of Christ himself, the Word of the Lord, who is the refuge of saints and sinners; his name Jesus, a Saviour: such who know him to be the able, willing, complete, all sufficient, and everlasting Saviour; who know his power and faithfulness to keep what is committed to him; and who know him not merely notionally and speculati”
- Psalms (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Psalms 72:17: His name shall endure for ever,.... As a King; for he is chiefly spoken of here in his kingly office: not merely the fame of him; for so the fame of an earthly king; even of a tyrant, may continue as long as the world does; but the meaning is, that he himself should continue in his office for ever: his throne is for ever and ever; of his government there will be no end; his kingdom is an everlasting one; he shall reign over the house of Jacob, and on the throne of David, for ever and ever: he shall have no successor in this his office, any more than in the priestly o”
- Psalms (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Psalms 72:19: And blessed be his glorious name for ever,.... Every name of Christ is glorious in itself, and precious to his people; "like ointment poured forth", as his name Messiah, to which the allusion is in Sol 1:3; his name Immanuel, God with us, Isa 7:14; Jehovah our righteousness, Jer 23:6; Jesus a Saviour; as well as what belongs to his royal dignity, King of kings, and Lord of lords; a name above every name that is named in this world, or that to come; and let the whole earth be filled with his glory; as it will be, when his kingdom shall be from sea to sea, and from t”
- Hebrews (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Hebrews 4:8: 4:8 Joshua is the same name as Jesus (Greek Iēsous, Hebrew Yehoshua‘). It is normally translated Joshua in the Old Testament and Jesus in the New Testament (see also study note on Exod 17:9). The author is making a word play on Jesus’ and Joshua’s shared name. Joshua did lead God’s people into the Promised Land (Josh 3–4), but God had more in mind when he promised his people rest. God’s ultimate rest is provided by Jesus (Heb 3:13-14; 4:3, 9-11, 14-16).”