What does the name “Jesus” actually mean? We sometimes forget in our culture that names were once words with definitions. To us they are not words to be defined; they are just names. In biblical times names were given to mark the circumstances surrounding a child’s birth or to say something about the child’s destiny. The definition of the word was very important. So when the angel instructed Joseph and Mary to name the baby “Jesus,” it was no small thing. It was full of meaning. (See Luke 1:31 and Matthew 1:21)
Jesus is the Greek form of the Hebrew name Joshua. Most simply put, when translated it means “God saves.” In fact, in Matthew 1:21 when Joseph is told Mary’s baby is to be named Jesus, he is also told why, “because he will save his people from their sins.” So from the very beginning Joseph and Mary knew their son Jesus would save people from their sin even though they surely did not know all that saving people from their sin entailed.
Knowing what the word “Jesus” means frames the story for us. If we knew nothing else about Jesus other than the meaning of his name, we would know that the story of Jesus is the story of a savior. Those of us who already know the story know it is not just about a savior but about The Savior. That’s a great place to start when telling or thinking about the story of Jesus.
While researching this to see if any new discoveries could be made about the meaning of His name, I ran across this list of names/titles used in the Bible to describe Jesus. A good spiritual exercise for all us would be to work our way through this list, meditating on what each title tells us about who He is. I find that when I force myself to write things down, either in a journal or a blog, it forces me to sharpen my thoughts about something, so you might want to try both.
The following list is taken from the The Exhaustive Dictionary of Bible Names. (See footnote below.)
DESCRIPTIVE TITLES FOR JESUS:
They are listed alphabetically in this dictionary.
The ramifications of the name of Jesus are so great that the Bible is filled with descriptive titles for Jesus. Nearly three hundred of these are listed below with a few having the number of times the word is mentioned in the Scriptures in parentheses.
Advocate
1 John 2:1
Almighty (57)
Revelation 1:8
Alpha and Omega
Revelation 1:8; 21:6; 22:13
Altogether Lovely
Song of Solomon 5:16
Amen
Revelation 3:14
Ancient of Days
Daniel 7:22
Angel of His Presence
Isaiah 63:9
Anointed
Psalm 2:2
Apostle
Hebrews 3:1
Apple Tree
Song of Solomon 2:3
Approved of God
Acts 2:22
Author of Our Faith
Hebrews 12:2
Author of Salvation
Hebrews 5:9
Babe
Luke 2:16
Beginning of Creation of God
Revelation 3:14
Beginning and Ending
Revelation 1:8; 21:6; 22:13
Bishop of Souls
1 Peter 2:25
Branch
Zechariah 6:12; Isaiah 11:1
Branch of Righteousness
Jeremiah 33:15
Bread of Life
John 6:35
Bridegroom
Matthew 9:15; John 3:29
Bright and Morning Star
Revelation 22:16
Brightness of His Glory
Hebrews 1:3
Buckler
Psalm 18:2
Builder
Matthew 16:18
Bundle of Myrrh
Song of Solomon 1:13
Captain of Our Salvation
Hebrews 2:10
Captain of the Lord’s Host
Joshua 5:15
Carpenter, Son of Mary
Mark 6:3
Carpenter’s Son
Matthew 13:55
Chief Shepherd
1 Peter 5:4
Chief Cornerstone
1 Peter 2:6; Ephesians 2:20
Chief Shepherd
1 Peter 5:4
Chiefest Among Ten Thousand
Song of Solomon 5:10
Child
Luke 2:40
Chosen of God
Luke 23:35
Christ Jesus My Lord
Philippians 3:8
Christ of God
Luke 9:20
Christ the Lord
Luke 2:11
Christ; Son of the Living God
Matthew 16:16
Cluster of Camphire
Song of Solomon 1:14
Consolation of Israel
Luke 2:25
Counselor
Isaiah 9:6
Covenant of the People
Isaiah 42:6
Covert from Tempest
Isaiah 32:2
Creator of Israel
Isaiah 43:15
Day Star
2 Peter 1:19
Daysman
Job 9:33
Dayspring
Luke 1:78
Deliverer
Psalm 18:2; Romans 11:26
Desire of all Nations
Haggai 2:7
Dew
Hosea 14:5
Door
John 10:7, 9
Emmanuel
Matthew 1:23
End of the Law
Romans 10:4
Ensign of the People
Isaiah 11:10
Everlasting Father
Isaiah 9:6
Express Image of His Person
Hebrews 1:3
Faithful and True Witness
Revelation 3:14
Faithful and True
Revelation 19:11
Faithful Witness
Revelation 1:5
Finisher of Our Faith
Hebrews 12:2
First Begotten of the Dead
Revelation 1:5
First and the Last
Revelation 22:13
Firstborn of Every Creature
Colossians 1:15
Firstborn
Romans 8:29
Firstborn From the Dead
Colossians 1:18
Firstfruits
1 Corinthians 15:20
Forerunner
Hebrews 6:20
Fortress
Psalm 18:2
Foundation
Isaiah 28:16; 1 Corinthians 3:11
Fountain Opened (for sin)
Zechariah 13:1
Fountain of Living Waters
Jeremiah 2:13
Friend of Publicans and Sinners
Luke 7:34
Fruit of the Womb
Luke 1:42
Galilaean (KJV)
Luke 23:6
Glory of Thy People Israel
Luke 2:32
God of the Whole Earth
Isaiah 54:5
Good Shepherd
John 10:11
Good Master
Matthew 19:16, 17; Mark 10:17
Governor of Nations
Psalm 22:28
Governor
Matthew 2:6
Great
Jeremiah 32:18
Greater Than Solomon
Matthew 12:42
Guide
Psalm 48:14
Head of the Body; the Church
Colossians 1:18
Head of the Church
Ephesians 5:23
Head of the Corner
1 Peter 2:7; Matthew 21:42
Head of All Principality and Power
Colossians 2:10
Head of Every Man
1 Corinthians 11:3
Healer
Matthew 14:14
Heir of All Things
Hebrews 1:2
Helper
Hebrews 13:6
Hiding Place
Isaiah 32:2
High Priest
Hebrews 3:1; 6:20; 7:26
High Priest Over the House of God
Hebrews 10:21
High Tower
Psalm 18:2
Higher Than the Heavens
Hebrews 7:26
Holy Child Jesus
Acts 4:27
Holy One
Psalm 16:10; Isaiah 43:15
Holy One of Israel (31)
Isaiah 41:14; 54:5
Holy One of God
Luke 4:34; Mark 1:24
Horn of My Salvation
Psalm 18:2
Horn of Salvation
Luke 1:69
Hope, My
Psalm 71:5
I AM
John 8:58
Image of Invisible God
Colossians 1:15
Immanuel
Isaiah 7:14
Immortal
1 Timothy 1:17
Intercessor
Hebrews 7:25
Invisible
1 Timothy 1:17
Jesus (977)
Matthew 1:21
Jesus is the Lord
1 Corinthians 12:3
Jesus Christ Our Savior
Titus 3:6
Jesus of Nazareth (17)
Luke 4:34
Jew
John 4:9
Judge of the Quick and the Dead
Acts 10:42
Judge of Israel
Micah 5:1
Just One
Acts 3:14
Just Man
Matthew 27:19
Justifier
Romans 3:26
King
Matthew 21:5
King of Glory
Psalm 24:8
King of the Jews (18)
John 18:39; 19:3
King of Israel
John 1:49
King of Saints
Revelation 15:3
King of kings (6)
1 Timothy 3:15; Revelation 17:14
King Eternal
1 Timothy 1:17
Lamb
Revelation 5:6; 15:3; 17:14
Lamb Slain
Revelation 13:8
Lamb Without Blemish and Spot
1 Peter 1:19
Lamb of God
John 1:29
Last Adam
1 Corinthians 15:45
Lawgiver
James 4:12
Leader and Commander of the People
Isaiah 55:4
Life
John 11:25
Lifter of My Head
Psalm 3:3
Light of Men
John 1:4
Light to Lighten the Gentiles
Luke 2:32
Light for the Gentiles
Isaiah 42:6; Acts 13:47
Light of the World
John 8:12
Lily of the Valley
Song of Solomon 2:1
Lion of the Tribe of Judah
Revelation 5:5
Living Bread
John 6:51
Living Stone
1 Peter 2:4
Lord (1131); LORD (6471)
Luke 24:3; Acts 2:36
Lord and Christ
Acts 2:36
Lord Both of the Dead and Living
Romans 14:9
Lord From Heaven
1 Corinthians 15:47
Lord God Almighty
Revelation 15:3
Lord of the Harvest
Matthew 9:38
Lord of the Sabbath
Luke 6:5
Lord of Hosts
Isaiah 54:5; Jeremiah 32:18
Lord of Lords
1 Timothy 6:15; Revelation 19:16
Lord Our Righteousness
Jeremiah 23:6
Love
1 John 4:16
Lowly
Zechariah 9:9
Man of Sorrows
Isaiah 53:3
Manna
John 6:57–58
Master (57)
Matthew 22:24; John 11:28
Master in Heaven
Colossians 4:1
Mediator
1 Timothy 2:5
Merciful, Faithful High Priest
Hebrews 2:17
Messenger
Malachi 3:1
Messiah
Daniel 9:25, 26
Messias (the Christ)
John 1:41
Mighty God
Isaiah 9:6; Jeremiah 32:18
Mine Elect
Isaiah 42:1
Minister of the Circumcision
Romans 15:8
Minister of Sanctuary
Hebrews 8:2
My Beloved
Song of Solomon 2:8; Matthew 12:18
My Beloved Son
Matthew 17:5
My Strong Habitation
Psalm 71:3
Nail
Isaiah 22:23, 25
Name Above Every Name
Philippians 2:9
Nazarene
Matthew 2:23
New and Living Way
Hebrews 10:20
Offering; a Sacrifice to God
Ephesians 5:2
One Shepherd
John 10:16
One That Bringeth Good Tidings
Isaiah 41:27
Only Begotten of Father
John 1:14
Only Wise God
1 Timothy 1:17
Our Lord Jesus Christ (55)
Galatians 1:3
Our Peace
Ephesians 2:14
Overcomer
Revelation 17:14
Passover
1 Corinthians 5:7
Potentate
1 Timothy 6:15
Potter
Romans 9:21
Power and Wisdom of God
1 Corinthians 1:24
Precious Corner Stone
Isaiah 28:16
Precious
1 Peter 2:7
Priest
Hebrews 5:10; 7:17
Prince
Daniel 9:25; Acts 5:31
Prince of Life
Acts 3:15
Prince of Peace
Isaiah 9:6
Prince of the Kings of Earth
Revelation 1:5
Prophet
John 4:19; 7:40; Deuteronomy 18:18
Prophet of Nazareth
Matthew 21:11
Propitiation for Our Sins
1 John 2:2
Purifier of Silver
Malachi 3:3
Quickening Spirit
1 Corinthians 15:45
Rabbi; Son of God
John 1:49
Reconciler
2 Corinthians 5:19
Redeemer
Job 19:25; Isaiah 41:14; 54:5
Refiner
Malachi 3:3
Resurrection
John 11:25
Reward, Exceeding Great
Genesis 15:1
Rewarder
Hebrews 11:6
Righteous
1 John 2:1
Righteous Branch
Jeremiah 23:5
Righteous Man
Luke 23:47
Righteous Servant
Isaiah 53:11
Rock
Psalm 18:2; 28:1; 1 Corinthians 10:4
Rock of Offense
1 Peter 2:8
Root of David
Revelation 5:5; 22:16
Root of Jesse
Isaiah 11:10; Romans 15:12
Root Out of Dry Ground
Isaiah 53:2
Rose of Sharon
Song of Solomon 2:1
Salvation
Luke 2:30
Samaritan
John 8:48
Savior (Saviour, KJV) (29)
Luke 2:11; Acts 5:31
Savior (Saviour, KJV) of the World
John 4:42; 1 John 4:14
Scepter of Israel
Numbers 24:17
Second Man
1 Corinthians 15:47
Seed of the Woman
Genesis 3:14, 15
Servant
Isaiah 42:1; Philippians 2:7
Shadow from heat
Isaiah 25:4
Shepherd
Hebrews 13:20; 1 Peter 2:25
Shield, Thy
Genesis 15:1
Shiloh (rest, tranquility)
Genesis 49:10
Son of David
Matthew 9:27
Son of God (48)
Mark 1:1
Son of the Highest
Luke 1:32
Son of Joseph
John 6:42
Son of Man
Matthew 9:6; Mark 14:62; John 6:27
Son of the Blessed
Mark 14:61
Son of the Living God
Matthew 16:16
Star Out of Jacob
Numbers 24:17
Stem of Jesse
Isaiah 11:1
Stone
Isaiah 28:16; Matthew 21:42
Stone Cut Without Hands
Daniel 2:34, 35
Stone of Stumbling
1 Peter 2:8
Stranger in Jerusalem
Luke 24:18
Strength
Psalm 18:2
Stronghold (in the day of trouble)
Nahum 1:7
Sun of Righteousness
Malachi 4:2
Sure Foundation
Isaiah 28:16
Surety of a Better Testament
Hebrews 7:22
Teacher From God
John 3:2
Tender Plant
Isaiah 53:2
Testator
Hebrews 9:16, 17
The Child Jesus
Luke 2:27
The Christ (19)
Mark 14:61
The Lord’s Christ
Luke 2:26
The Man
John 19:5
The Man, Christ Jesus
1 Timothy 2:5
The Word
John 1:1; 1:14
Thine Husband
Isaiah 54:5
Thy Maker
Isaiah 54:5
Thy Seed
Galatians 3:16
Tree of life
Genesis 2:9
Tried Stone
Isaiah 28:16
True God and Eternal Life
1 John 5:20
True Vine
John 15:1
True Light
John 1:9
Truth
John 14:6
Vine
John 15:5
Voice
Genesis 3:8
Way
John 14:6
Way of Holiness
Isaiah 35:8
Wonderful
Isaiah 9:6
Young Child
Matthew 2:11
Your King
Isaiah 43:15
Stelman Smith and Judson Cornwall, The Exhaustive Dictionary of Bible Names, 132-43 (North Brunswick, NJ: Bridge-Logos, 1998).
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