Jesus has many names and titles throughout the Bible. He is called different names depending on the setting, audience, and timeframe being referred to.
Jesus was the name that God told Joseph in a dream that he should call Jesus when he was born (Matt 1:21). Jesus is the Greek form of the Hebrew name Joshua – meaning “Jehovah saved” according to Strong’s concordance. That is an appropriate name since God sent Jesus, his son, as a savior for all of mankind (John 3:16-17).
Throughout the New Testament Jesus is called Jesus Christ (Matt 1:1), Christ, or the Christ (Mark 8:29). Christ is the Greek form of Messiah – a Hebrew word that means anointed or is a specific reference to the Messiah. The Jews expected and some still expect a Messiah or God’s anointed one to save them and establish an everlasting kingdom. Jesus is the one that will establish this promised kingdom. He also was anointed with the holy spirit by God at his baptism at the river Jordan. Thus, it is right to call him Christ because he is the anointed one. Jesus said as much when he was questioned by the high priest in Mark 14:61-62:“Again the high priest asked him, ‘Are you the Messiah, the Son of the Blessed One?’ ‘I am,’ said Jesus.”
In the New Testament, Jesus is also called the Word or the Logos in John 1 (Logos is the Greek word for Word). This is a reference to Jesus’ existence as a spiritual being prior to being born on Earth as a perfect human. John 1:14 states, “And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as the only begotten one from the Father, full of grace and truth.” Again, we see another name applied to Jesus. In this case, the Logos applies as a reference to Jesus prior to his birth.
There are many other examples throughout the scriptures where Jesus has other names and titles. A great example is the prophecy about Jesus in Isaiah 9:6 “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” These names all refer to prophetic roles Jesus would play in the future. Jesus will be that wonderful counselor to the world of mankind, he is a mighty one, he is a life giver or father to those resurrected from the grave, and his kingdom will be full of peace.
Just as we may have names or titles in different settings or at different times – so does Jesus. We are not surprised if in a formal setting we are addressed as Mr. or Mrs., or by nephews and nieces as aunt or uncle, or by close friends with a nickname. These do not mean our name has changed, but these names serve as another way people refer to us. The same can be applied to Jesus. He is the Word, the Christ, and the Prince of Peace.
