Did Jesus have a last name? This might seem like a simple question, but it opens up a fascinating look at biblical culture, naming traditions, and what Jesus' name reveals about His identity and mission. Understanding this helps us connect with the historical and spiritual significance of who Jesus is.
What Was Jesus’ Full Name?
According to N. T. Wright, Jesus was born between 6 and 4 BCE. Jesus’ birth is the most important birth in all of human history, as it would change the world forever and make salvation and hope possible for everyone. Jesus’ name in the original Hebrew that was used in everyday speech during the first century translates to "Jesus Bar Joseph." In the first century, the first name of the father was given to the son or daughter, which is in contrast to our modern tradition of someone’s surname being the last name of the father.
Jesus’ name, in its first-century context, is Yeshua, which is from the Aramaic and Hebrew languages. The name “Yeshua” means “Yahweh saves.” This is very significant for Christians since the coming of his birth was prophesied hundreds of years before the event happened. Old Testament texts such as Jeremiah, Micah, and Isaiah portray the coming Messiah as the suffering servant who gives his life as a ransom for many. This is in contrast to the expectation of the coming Messiah to have a military campaign that would overthrow the Romans and restore the temple so Yahweh would come back. Those Messianic movements before the time of Christ and after him were stamped out by the Romans and failed.
Does “Christ” Count as Jesus’ Last Name?
From the Greek, “Christ” means "Anointed one." Numerous times throughout the New Testament, Jesus is referred to as “Jesus the Christ.” This was a description of Jesus used by St. Paul, St. Luke, and the other writers of the New Testament to convey that Jesus was the Son of God, the prophesied Messiah, and the Savior of the world that came to give his life as a ransom for many.
It is quite clear from this that the early followers of Jesus did not just view him as an ordinary Rabbi, but as God in the flesh. Some modern authors like Bahrt Ehrman, who concede that Jesus existed, have critiqued the early references to “Jesus Christ” as fabricated by the early apostles and followers. Ehrman argues that Jesus never claimed divinity. However, when looking at the evidence from the New Testament texts and outside biblical sources from Josephus, Tacitus, and others, we see strong historical evidence that Jesus was not called “Jesus the Christ” for no reason. Jesus claimed divinity, and the early followers believed this about Christ.
When the early church referred to Jesus as “Jesus Christ,” it reflected his divine mission of offering redemption from sin, eternal life to anyone willing to follow Him, and being the author of time and space. Jesus Christ is not merely a historical figure but the risen Messiah who was victorious over death and the powers of darkness and who loves each human being with an agape love.
What Does “Jesus of Nazareth” Mean?
The first time I came across the term “Jesus of Nazareth” I was reading Anglican theologian N. T. Wright’s book, Surprised by Hope. I did not understand why Wright referred to Christ as “Jesus of Nazareth” until I came to understand that at the time Jesus was living in the first century, it was very significant for someone to be associated with the geographical location associated with their lineage. Although Jesus was actually born in Bethlehem, he was referred to as “Jesus of Nazareth” since Mary and Joseph’s lineage was part of that particular village in the Middle East.
Since Jesus’ ancestral lineage could be traced back to the town of Nazareth, He was often referred to as “Jesus of Nazareth.” This helped distinguish Jesus from others living at the same time, given the fact that "Jesus" was a common name in that day. References to “Jesus of Nazareth” in its historical context help us understand why this title was given to him since it would be a very important moniker for the time that he was living in.
Why Didn’t People in Jesus’ Time Have Last Names?
To the modern person in the 21st century it is quite challenging to have a cultural conception of why people in the ancient world did not have a last name as one does today. What is the historical context for this, and why is it important for Christians to understand?
During the time of the Roman Empire, it was a cultural norm for Roman citizens or soldiers to have a name that would signify their ancestors and social status. Many people had a third name which would reference a nickname or a branch of a famous family. As for the Jewish people, the name given to Jesus as “Jesus of Nazareth” communicated his given birth name along with the geographical location in which he was born. A good historical example of this is Saul of Tarsus. Because Saul was born as a Jew in Tarsus, he was called "Saul of Tarsus." After his conversion to Christianity, he became known as "Paul of Tarsus."
How Does Jesus’ Name Reflect His Mission?
The theological meaning of Jesus’ name underscores his calling as the Savior of the world, and that through His horrific death on the corss and His glorious Resurrection, He would fulfill the Torah and launch the kingdom of God in the present. This kingdom of God is still proclaimed today by different church communities worldwide through the reading of Scripture, helping the needy and the broken-hearted, prayer, and living out one’s faith by grace and loving all people with the love of Christ.
The title “Christ” given to Jesus emphasizes his role as the Savor and King. He fulfilled the will of the Father and gave his life so we could spend eternity with him in Heaven after all has been made right after his Second Coming. Christ's mission was not to violently overthrow the Romans but to be the suffering servant who fulfilled all the Old Testament prophecies about the Jewish Messiah.
Why Is Understanding Jesus’ Name Important for Christians?
One of the most important aspects of remembering Jesus’ name in its historical context is that it reminds us that our hope is in him. Our technological culture has been more divided, cynical, and disenchanted, and many people have left the church because of toxic fundamentalism and numerous scandals that have happened.
As Christians, we can help people who are asking questions about spirituality and searching for meaning and purpose. Just as those early converts to Christianity were searching for meaning and purpose and came to know Christ, so can those today who are feeling lost and hopeless. The good news is that there is hope in Christ. This hope can be experienced by anyone today who is struggling and searching. The love of Christ is transforming peoples' lives all over the world.
Another important reason for understanding the significance of Jesus’ name is that, as Christians, we can lovingly refute the popular idea that Jesus was simply a good moral teacher or a philosopher. In his classic book, Mere Christianity, C. S. Lewis gives his argument about the identity of Jesus, stating that there are only three options when it comes to Jesus--either he was the Son of God, a liar, or a lunatic with megalomania. Historically, Lewis’ argument holds up since one of the reasons why Jesus was crucified and controversial is because he claimed divinity.
When we learn the deep historical and spiritual significance of Jesus’ name we can see how amazing His love, glory, and power are. Because Jesus is who He claimed to be, this life is a journey of faith, filled with peril, pain, joy, growth, and God's provision that give us a glimpse of what Heaven will be like when we are in the presence of the Savior who gave his life so we could have eternal freedom and joy.
Further Reading:
What Names of Jesus Did Christ Call Himself in the Gospels?
Names and Titles of Jesus Christ
Photo credit: ©GettyImages/Kristi Linton
Justin Wiggins is an author who works and lives in the primitive, majestic, beautiful mountains of North Carolina. He graduated with his Bachelor's in English Literature, with a focus on C.S. Lewis studies, from Montreat College in May 2018. His first book was Surprised by Agape, published by Grant Hudson of Clarendon House Publications. His second book, Surprised By Myth, was co-written with Grant Hudson and published in 2021. Many of his recent books (Marty & Irene, Tír na nÓg, Celtic Twilight, Celtic Song, Ragnarok, Celtic Dawn) are published by Steve Cawte of Impspired.
Wiggins has also had poems and other short pieces published by Clarendon House Publications, Sehnsucht: The C.S. Lewis Journal, and Sweetycat Press. Justin has a great zeal for life, work, community, writing, literature, art, pubs, bookstores, coffee shops, and for England, Scotland, and Ireland.
