Why Jesus Was Not Called Jesus
Jesus was never called “Jesus” during his lifetime because that name didn’t exist yet.
The Evolution of the Name
Here’s how the name transformed across languages and centuries:
Hebrew: Yehoshua, Means “Yahweh is salvation.” A common name in ancient Israel.
Aramaic: Yeshua, A shortened, everyday version of Yehoshua. This is likely what Jesus was called.
Greek: Iēsous, Greek lacked the “sh” sound and the final “ayin” of Yeshua, so it was adapted.
Latin: Iesus, The Romanized version of the Greek name.
English: Jesus, The letter “J” didn’t exist until around the 16th century. It evolved from the Latin “I.”
So, when people say “Jesus,” they’re using the modern English version of a name that has traveled through at least four languages and over two millennia of phonetic shifts.
Why Not “Immanuel”?
You might also recall that Scripture says he would be called Immanuel, meaning “God with us.” But that wasn’t meant as a personal name — more a description of his divine role.
Why It Matters
This isn’t just trivia — it’s a reminder of how language shapes our understanding of history and faith. The name “Jesus” carries layers of translation, theology, and cultural adaptation. And yet, it still connects back to Yeshua, the man who walked the hills of Galilee.
“Christ”
“Christ” is a title, not a surname. In the phrase Jesus Christ, “Christ” isn’t a last name — it’s a title that means “Anointed One.” It comes from the Greek word Christos, which is the translation of the Hebrew Mashiach (Messiah). So “Jesus Christ” essentially means “Jesus the Messiah.”
What Does “Anointed” Mean?
In ancient Israel, anointing with oil was a sacred act that marked someone as chosen by God for a specific role:
Prophets were anointed to speak God’s truth.
Priests were anointed to mediate between God and the people.
Kings were anointed to rule under divine authority.
Jesus is seen as fulfilling all three roles — Prophet, Priest, and King — which is why the title “Christ” is so significant.
Biblical Usage:
The New Testament often uses “Christ” as a standalone title:
“You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” — Peter in Matthew 16:16.
“Today this Scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.” — Jesus in Luke 4:21, referring to his anointed mission.
Even demons recognized him as “the Christ” and were silenced for it (Luke 4:41).
09/07/25