What was Jesus's real name?

by gumby 55 Replies latest watchtower bible

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  gumby

  Many of you migth know the archetypal Jewish hero was Joshua (the successor of Moses) otherwise known as Yeshua ben Nun (?Jesus of the fish?).

  Since the name Jesus (Yeshua or Yeshu in Hebrew, ....Ioshu in Greek,...( source of the English spelling) , originally was a title (meaning ?saviour?, derived from ?Yahweh Saves?)......what was Jesus's real name? Did he have one? He was called Rabbi to denote their teacher, he was called master.....yet "Jesus" seemed to be his given name. His parents surely called him by something other than a title.

  Gumby
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  peacefulpete

  Hey Gumby. Yes it does appear that at an early point in Christian origins the name Jesus was a name/title of the expected ONE, rather than a personal name. This Jewish movement melded with another cult that worshipped a mystical heavenly figure that decended to save mankind. Since the Hellenized Jewish movement wished to differentiate itself from other mystery cults that hailed a similarly metaphysical savior model man, the name came to be viewed as that of an historical man in Palestine. The story was fortified with details about when and who's as time went on. Many of the stories are likely loosely based on real events. The zealot movements attempts to clease the temple of the "apostate" priesthood. the quotes attributed to Jesus can at times linked to historical Rabbis of the era. The Roman saking of Jerusalem and expulsion of Jews found it's way into the mouth of Jesus as a prophecy. So my question to you is what part of the Jesus story are you referring to?
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  Badger

  Yeah, but what does the "H" Stand for?
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  xenawarrior

  Jesus' real name is Gaspar Valdez
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  gumby

  I just knew all the smartasses would come out.

  Pete, basically anywhere in the N.T. where the name jesus is used.

  As for the name, Jesus, there were quite a few in Jesus time, but the name jesus always preceeded a designated name.

  As an example, according to the Biblical account, Pilate offered the Jews the release of just one prisoner and the jews chose Barabbas rather than Jesus, but in the original text studied by Origen (and in some recent ones) the chosen criminal was Jesus Barabbas ? and Bar Abba in Hebrew means ?Son of the Father?. An intresting side point. What name followed Jesus name?

  Gumby
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  MungoBaobab

  Probably something like Ramierez, Vasquez, Rodriguez, etc.
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  el jarocho mayor

  you're all wrong. His name was Zeus as in,..."Hey, Zeus!". at least thats what it always sounded to me in spanish.
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  Leolaia

  Gumby....The fragment of an early Christian hymn preserved in Philippians 2:6-11 implies that it was in his resurrection and glorification that the Son was bestowed the name "Jesus" (and not, presumably, during his earthly life): "And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death, even death on a cross! Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, 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."
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  Narkissos

  He he.

  (1) Jesus is a moderately common name in the 1st century, especially in the Jerusalem Sadducean circles, most probably referring to the high priest of the restoration (this one being an "anointed", a "Christos Ièsous") ; perhaps in Galilee too, then referring to Joshua ben Nun (Ièsous huios Nauè) as Moses' successor which is to fulfill the promises to Moses (JbN is from the northern tribe of Ephraim), as a warlike Messiah.

  (2) There is little evidence for actual "Jesus worship" based on either character, but both were clearly full of "messianic" expectations. This name was clearly thought of as "meaningful," including in the Greek realm:

  - in Numbers 13:16 Joshua-Ièsous is especially given to Hoshea ben Nun as a "new name";

  - in Siracides 46:1 (the author being Jesus ben Sirach) we read: "Joshua (Ièsous) son of Nun was mighty in war, and was the successor of Moses in the prophetic office. He became, as his name implies, a great savior of God's elect, to take vengeance on the enemies that rose against them, so that he might give Israel its inheritance.

  - Matthew who always quotes the LXX has no need for translation to write (in Greek!, 1:21): "She will bear a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save (sôsei) his people from their sins.

  - The Synoptic apocalypses have political would-be Messiahs coming in his name (Mark 13:6//).

  - Last but not least, "Jesus" works as a "coronation name" in Philippians 2: " Therefore God also highly exalted him and gave him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bend, in heaven and on earth and under the earth..."

  Back to Gumby's question, as Pete said there are many historical characters echoed in the Jesus stories. Some we know about by other sources (such as Jesus ben Ananias who foretold the ruin of the temple and city according to Josephus), others (named Jesus or something else) we'll never know about. However those stories also seem secondary to the Christian myth of Christos Ièsous as a heavenly savior. The ultimate question is, did the specifically Christian myth bead need a historical Jesus grain of sand to form in the first place? Perhaps; not that it is so important when you put the question in perspective...
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  Dan-O

  I'm thinking his real name had to be Bobby Joe or Billy Ray or something like that. He was a blue collar worker ... a carpenter ... who spent lots of time hanging out & drinking with his fishing buddies.