What Is The Real Name Of Jesus Christ In The Bible?

Reflect on this fascinating assertion: the name “Jesus” held no significance for the man from Nazareth himself.

The letter “J” did not exist during Jesus’s time. The story of his name reveals the connections between history, translation, and language. Let’s revisit first-century Galilee, where Jesus lived, preached, and walked the dusty roads.

The primary language was Aramaic, not English, Greek, or ancient Hebrew. Aramaic became the common language of the Jews by the 6th century BCE, and Jesus and his earliest followers used it in everyday life.

What was he known as? An expert explains that his name was likely Yeshua in Aramaic, which he probably used to introduce himself. The shorter form, Yeshu, appears in later rabbinic literature. Most scholars agree that Yeshua or Yeshu were common names in first-century Galilee.

“Jesus” was one of many individuals named Yeshua, contrary to the singular identity we often assume. His name transformed over centuries as his story spread through different languages, starting from Aramaic to Hebrew, then Greek, Latin, and finally, English, resulting in the name we use today.

The Greek language, lacking the sounds for “Y” and “sh,” rendered “Yeshua” as “Iesous.” An expert notes that in Greek, the ‘Ye’ of Yeshua is pronounced like ‘eeay’ and the ‘sh’ is pronounced as an ‘s.’

Greek male names cannot end with an ‘ah’ sound, so the Hebrew name Yeshua became Iesous in Greek by adding an ‘s’. In Latin, it was shortened to “Iesus.” The name was later changed to “Jesus” in the 16th century when the letter “J” was introduced into the English alphabet.

The first edition of the King James Bible in 1611 was actually printed with the spelling “Iesus.” The more familiar spelling “Jesus” emerged later. A historian notes that the letter “J” was the last added to the English alphabet, becoming common only about 400 years ago, and was absent in ancient languages like Latin, Greek, and Hebrew. Thus, “Jesus” is a relatively recent name.

Let’s discuss the second word, “Christ.” It is not a surname, nor was it something Mary used to invite Him to dinner. The term “Christ” comes from the Greek word “Christos,” which means “anointed one.”

This is the Greek translation of the Hebrew word “Messiah.” As another source explains, “‘Christ’ is a title that signifies Jesus was sent by God to be a King and Deliverer.” In ancient Israel, kings, priests, and prophets were anointed with oil as a sign that they were chosen by God, and the title “Messiah” came to represent the future deliverer.

Early followers of Jesus called him “Yeshua the Anointed One,” not as a last name but to proclaim his mission. Over time, “Jesus Christ” began to sound like a single name. He was more commonly known as “Yeshua of Nazareth” to distinguish him from others with the same name.

In that era, people didn’t use last names; they were recognized in other ways, especially if they had common names. Yeshua, known as the Christ, Yeshua the Messiah, or Yeshua the Anointed One, or Yeshua of Nazareth.

2 Timothy 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

2 Timothy 3:16 All scripture is God-breathed and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.

2 Timothy 3:17 That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.

1 Peter 1:23 Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.

1 Peter 2:2 As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:

Proverbs 4:20 My son, attend to my words; incline thine ear unto my sayings.

Psalms 119:105 Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.

Romans 12:2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

Click here to read more articles transformedbythetruth.com

Share this: