The Origins of the Name Jesus: A Scholarly Inquiry

For centuries, historians, scholars, and theologians have been fascinated by the name of Jesus. Questions abound about its origin and whether Jesus was the first to be known by this name or if it was more common in his time. This article explores the historical and scriptural evidence to shed light on these intriguing questions.

Early References and the Anointed One

According to the New Testament, it was Apostle Andrew, Jesus's brother, who first applied the title 'the Anointed One' (Messianic title) to Jesus. This occurred during the early stages of the apostolic ministry, an event recorded during the meeting between Andrew and Jesus. Before Andrew, a messenger from Yahweh had referred to him as 'an anointed lord' (Luke 2:26).

John the Baptist, the forerunner of Jesus, also implied that Jesus was the Anointed One through his language and teachings. However, he never explicitly used the title 'Messianic' in reference to Jesus. Instead, he used other honorifics that are synonymous with being the Messiah. John's implication was an exhortation to prepare for the coming of the Anointed One (Messiah).

Biblical References and Early References

Paul, who wrote in the 50s CE, was the first recorded to use the title 'Jesus Christ.' The phrase 'Jesus Christ' combines two titles, 'Jesus' (?ησο??, Iesous) and 'Christ' (Χριστ??, Christos). Paul believed that Jesus was pre-existent and His identity was linked to figures mentioned in the Hebrew Old Testament. Therefore, the question arises: who was this pre-existent figure?

The earliest surviving references to Jesus, excluding alleged prophecies, are in Greek, where he is referred to as Iesous (?ησο??). Transliterated into the Latin alphabet, the name becomes Iesous, pronounced approximately as "Yay-soos," rhyming with "loose." The name varies according to the rules of Greek grammar; for example, it becomes Iesou (?ησο?) in the genitive case.

The name is presumed to be an Aramaic or Hebrew name that was transliterated into the Greek alphabet. Common candidates for the original name include Yeshua, Yehoshua, Yeshu, Isho, and Issa. Since Greek does not use the 'sh' sound, the 'sh' in Yeshua became a sigma (Greek form of the letter S).

Commonality of the Name

It is challenging to determine exactly what the original name was because both Hebrew and Aramaic sources did not use vowels. Thus, it is likely a commonly used name. Josephus, the ancient historian, writing in Greek, mentioned over twenty different people by this name. This indicates that it was indeed a common name during this period.

It is important to clarify a common misconception: the name Jesus is not derived from the Greek or Roman god Zeus. This idea is both fanciful and historically inaccurate.

Latin Transliteration

In Latin, Iesous became Iesus. The letter 'J' was introduced centuries later, long after the foundational texts were written. This significant linguistic difference illustrates the evolution of language and historical context.

The earliest surviving references to this name for our Jesus are in the authentic epistles of Paul, starting around 50 CE. Assuming that Jesus existed, he was presumably given this name shortly after birth, in the usual manner for a baby in first-century Palestine.

Conclusion

The name Jesus has a rich history, with ancient origins rooted in the Hebrew culture. While the exact etymology of the name remains speculative, it is clear that it was a common name during Jesus's time. The name's multifaceted history provides valuable insights into the cultural, religious, and linguistic contexts of Jesus's life and the early Christian movement.