Jesus
PeopleWhat is the meaning of Jesus in the Bible?
The name Jesus (Greek: Iesous) is the transliteration of the Hebrew Yeshua and appears in the Old Testament as the name of Joshua the son of Nun, the high priest in the post-exilic period, and the ancestor of Joseph in the genealogy of Jesus of Nazareth. In the New Testament, it is the primary name for Jesus of Nazareth, the central figure of Christianity, and is also applied to other individuals such as Jesus Barsabbas and Jesus called Justus.
SIGNIFICANCE
Recognizing that 'Jesus' is a common first name in the first century, rather than a surname or unique title, allows readers to distinguish between the various biblical figures who share this name and understand the specific historical and theological context of each individual mentioned in the scriptures.
Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide
- Why did the biblical author mention Jesus in this passage?
- What cultural or historical assumption does Jesus clarify?
Source Attribution
Built upon the 1915 International Standard Bible Encyclopedia and Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897). Entries have been modernized, checked for academic truthfulness, and shortened for clarity.