The name Jesus has great significance in the Bible and for Christians. Jesus is the Greek form of the Hebrew name Yeshua or Y’shua, meaning “Yahweh is salvation.” In the New Testament, Jesus is the son of God and the Messiah prophesied in the Old Testament. Here is an overview of the meaning and importance of the name Jesus based on the Bible:
Jesus Means “Yahweh is Salvation”
The name Jesus comes from the Hebrew name Yeshua/Y’shua, meaning “Yahweh is salvation.” In Matthew 1:21 an angel tells Joseph to name Mary’s son Jesus “for he will save his people from their sins.” The name Jesus reflects that he is the one who will save and deliver God’s people.
Yeshua is a shortened form of the name Yehoshua, where “Yehoshua” means “Yahweh is salvation” (Strong’s Concordance). The name Yeshua highlights that God Himself will save and deliver humanity through the person of Jesus. Throughout the Old Testament, Yahweh is the personal name of God, revealed to Moses at the burning bush (Exodus 3:14). The name Yeshua identifies Jesus as the manifestation of Yahweh Himself coming to save His people.
The Name Jesus in the New Testament
In the New Testament Greek, the name Yeshua is translated as “Jesus.” The name Jesus occurs over 900 times in the New Testament, underscoring the significance of His life and ministry. The very name Jesus reflects that He came to save people from sin.
Jesus is identified as the long-awaited Messiah and Savior sent by God. The angel Gabriel announces to Mary that she will give birth to a son named Jesus (Luke 1:31). Matthew 1:21 states, “She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” Peter declares in Acts 4:12, “And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”
The name Jesus is vitally important because Jesus is the Savior whom God promised to send to rescue people from sin and death. Jesus is the only name by which people can be saved.
Jesus as the Son of God
The New Testament teachings about Jesus reveal Him as the Son of God as well as the Messiah. After the virgin birth, the angel tells Mary that her son will be called the Son of God (Luke 1:35). Demons recognize Jesus as the Son of God (Matthew 8:29; Luke 4:41). Martha calls Jesus the Christ, the Son of God (John 11:27). The centurion at the cross declares, “Truly this man was the Son of God!” (Mark 15:39).
Jesus repeatedly identifies Himself as the Son of God in the Gospel of John (John 9:35-37; 10:36; 11:4). Jesus is proclaimed as the Son of God with power by the resurrection (Romans 1:3-4). The name Jesus reflects His divine identity as the Son of the living God.
The Name Above All Names
After His resurrection and ascension, God the Father highly exalted Jesus and bestowed on Him “the name that is above every name” (Philippians 2:9). Previously Jesus had emptied Himself of His divine privileges to become human and die for sins. After completing His work of salvation, the Father gave Him the name above all names.
This name above every name is the personal name of Yahweh embodied in Jesus the Messiah. “Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father” (Philippians 2:9-11). Salvation comes through calling upon the name of Jesus (Acts 4:12; Romans 10:13).
The Power in the Name of Jesus
The New Testament gives evidence of power in the name of Jesus. Demons are cast out and miracles performed in Jesus’ name while He was on earth (Mark 16:17; Luke 10:17). After Jesus’ ascension, healing and miracles continue in His name: “And Peter said, “I have no silver and gold, but what I do have I give to you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk!” (Acts 3:6). The disciples perform wonders and signs through Jesus’ name (Acts 4:30).
Jesus taught His followers to pray in His name: “Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son” (John 14:13). Believers receive eternal life in His name (John 20:31). The name of Jesus has authority and victory over Satan and the powers of darkness.
The Name Jesus and the Only Way to the Father
Jesus makes an exclusive statement in John 14:6: “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” Acts 4:12 confirms, “And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” Jesus is the only way to the Father because He alone is the sacrifice for sins and Savior of the world.
The exclusive nature of salvation through Jesus has been controversial and considered narrow-minded. However, the Bible is clear that Jesus alone is uniquely qualified as God incarnate to provide salvation. “For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus” (1 Timothy 2:5). The name of Jesus signifies He is the only mediator and path to the Father.
The Name of Jesus and Taking Up Our Cross
Jesus says that following Him requires self-denial and taking up our cross. “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me” (Luke 9:23). Taking up our cross means sacrificing our own interests and dying to self in order to serve Christ.
Just as Jesus gave up His life sacrificially through the cross, His followers must embrace sacrifice and suffering for His name’s sake. Jesus commands His disciples, “take up their cross and follow me” (Matthew 16:24). Taking up the cross of Christ demonstrates our commitment to Him above all else.
The Name of Jesus and the Great Commission
In giving the Great Commission, Jesus emphasizes the authority of His name in spreading the Gospel worldwide. “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit” (Matthew 28:19). Jesus commands His followers to baptize new believers in the name of the triune God.
The book of Acts describes how the early church fulfills the Great Commission through the name of Jesus. “But when they believed Philip as he preached good news about the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women” (Acts 8:12). New believers confessed and called on the name Jesus throughout the book of Acts.
Praise, Worship and Prayer in Jesus’ Name
Jesus is worthy of praise, worship, and prayer. “Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing!” (Revelation 5:12). Hebrews 13:15 says through Jesus we can offer up praise and worship: “Through him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name.”
Praying in Jesus’ name means praying according to God’s will (1 John 5:14). “Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son” (John 14:13). The name of Jesus gives believers authority and power in prayer.
The Name of Jesus and the Second Coming
When Jesus returns, “God has highly exalted Him and bestowed on Him the name that is above every name” (Philippians 2:9). Paul writes that at the name of Jesus someday every knee will bow and every tongue confess He is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. The exalted Jesus will return on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory (Matthew 24:30, 26:64).
The majestic name of Jesus will cause both the righteous and unrighteous to bow down at His Second Coming. “Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth” (Philippians 2:9-10).
The Name of Jesus and Eternal Life
The overall purpose of the Bible and Jesus coming to earth was to provide eternal life. John 3:16 explains, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” Jesus gives eternal life to those who believe in His name (John 20:31).
Calling on the name of Jesus results in salvation from sin and eternal life. “And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12). Eternal life comes only through knowing God and Jesus Christ whom He sent (John 17:3).
Every Knee Will Bow at the Name of Jesus
Paul writes that every knee will someday bow to the name of Jesus, including those who reject Him. “Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth” (Philippians 2:9-10).
Jesus warns about the seriousness of rejecting Him and the salvation offered in His name. “Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God” (John 3:18). Although the name of Jesus has been rejected by many, someday all will bow down and acknowledge Him as Lord.
The Name of Jesus Offers Hope
Despite warnings about condemnation, the overall message of the name Jesus is one of hope. Jesus’ name means “God saves” and declares that God Himself has provided salvation. 1 Timothy 1:1 calls Jesus the hope of all people: “Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by command of God our Savior and of Christ Jesus our hope.”
Titus 2:13 refers to the Second Coming as “our blessed hope” through Christ: “Waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ.” The name of Jesus offers the glorious hope of salvation and eternal life to all who call on Him.
The Name of Jesus Has Authority and Power
The Gospels show that Jesus’ very name has authority and power. He heals people and casts out demons throughout His ministry on earth. After His resurrection, Jesus declares in Matthew 28:18, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.”
The book of Acts demonstrates the power of Jesus’ name continues with the early church. Through faith in Jesus’ name, a lame man was healed (Acts 3:16) and signs and wonders were performed (Acts 4:30). The authority of Jesus’ name is greater than any other.
Conclusion
The name Jesus is packed with deep meaning and significance. It comes from the Hebrew name Yeshua, meaning “Yahweh is salvation.” Jesus is the incarnation of God coming to save humanity from sin and provide eternal life. The divine name embodies authority, power and victory over evil. At the name of Jesus someday every knee will bow and every tongue confess He is Lord!
