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Bible Study - Lesson #16The Names and Titles of Jesus
The name Jesus is the Greek form of the word Joshua, meaning Yahweh is salvation. This is made clear in Matthew 1:21 : You are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.
Titles Used for Jesus in the Old Testament
There are six names which refer to Jesus in the Book of Isaiah.
Immanuel, God with us. Isaiah 7:14
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6
Root of Jesse. Isaiah 11:10
Branch. Zechariah 6:12
Titles Used for Jesus in the Gospels
Every title, or name used to refer to Jesus, reveals his character.
Title used
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Significance
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Bible reference
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Teacher/Rabbi and The Teacher
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Jesus taught people about God
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Mark 5:35
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Prophet
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He spoke the word of God
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Luke 24:19
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Christ (Greek for Anointed One/Messiah.)
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Sent to establish God's kingdom on earth
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John 1:41
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I Am
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Jesus existed before his human life on earth
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John 8:58
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The Lamb of God
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Jesus would be a sacrifice for sin
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John 1:29
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Jesus the Nazarene
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To distinguish him from other people called Jesus
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Matthew 2:23
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Son of David
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Descended from David. Fulfilled all the promises made to King David.
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Matthew 15:22
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Son of God
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Jesus was uniquely related to God
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Mark 1:1
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Son of Man
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Showing his human identity
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Matthew 8:20
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Word
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How Jesus revealed God
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John 1:1
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Rabboni
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My dear Master
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John 20:16
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Lord
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A title showing respect
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Luke 11:1
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Titles for Jesus in the Rest of the New Testament
Title
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Significance
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Bible reference
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Alpha and Omega
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The beginning and the end
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Revelation 1:8
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Author of life
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The one who gives life
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Acts 3:15
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The bright Morning Star
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The one who brings light
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Revelation 22:16
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Head of the Church
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The overseer of all Christians
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Ephesians 5:23
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Holy and Righteous One
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Jesus was both holy and righteous
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Acts 3:14
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King of kings and Lord of lords
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Ruler of all
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Revelation 19:16
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Lamb
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Lamb killed as a sacrifice for sin
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Revelation 5:6 13
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Lion of the tribe of Judah
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A title of the Messiah from the family of David
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Revelation 5:5
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Root of David
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A title of the Messiah from the family of David
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Revelation 5:5
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Savior
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One who saves from sin
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1 John 4:14
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Word of God
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Gives voice to God's truth
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Revelation 19:13
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In the seven I ams described in John's Gospel, Jesus uses seven figurative descriptions of himself. See: What's so special about John's Gospel? page 54.
Studying the Life of Jesus
Opening Observations
Nearly everything we know about Jesus comes from the four gospels: Matthew, Mark, Luke and John.
Many people have strong views about Jesus, but few people have taken the time to read the gospels.
Twelve Highlights of Jesus' Life
Questions to ask as you read through the highlights
Why do you think the writer included this particular story in his gospel?
What does this event tell us about who Jesus was?
1 His birth
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Luke 2:1 7
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2 The visit of the shepherds
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Luke 2:8 20
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3 The wise men and their gifts
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Matthew 2:1 12
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4 The twelve-year-old Jesus visits the Temple
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Luke 2:41 50
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5 Jesus' baptism
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Matthew 3:13 17
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6 Jesus is tempted
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Matthew 4:1 11
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7 A top religious leader talks to Jesus
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John 3:1 21
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8 Jesus speaks to a despised female half-caste
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John 4:1 42
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9 Jesus chooses his team
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Matthew 10:1 4
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10 Peter gets it right
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Matthew 16:13 20
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11 The transfiguration of Jesus
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Matthew 17:1 13
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12 The ascension of Jesus
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Luke 24:50 53
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Getting to Know and to Love the Gospels
Here is a simple way to read through the gospels in less than thirteen weeks.
Read a chapter a day of Mark's Gospel (16 days).
Read a chapter a day of Matthew's Gospel (28 days).
Read a chapter a day of Luke's Gospel (24 days).
Read a chapter a day of John's Gospel (21 days).
It's a Fact
The shortest verse in the Bible is John 11:35 . It has two words, one in Greek.
What Did Jesus Say?
Occasion
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Bible reference
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Theme
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Sermon on the Mount
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Matthew 5-7
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The way to be happy
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The upper room
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John 13-17
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How to live the Jesus way
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The Mount of Olives
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Matthew 24-25
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The shape of the future
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What Did Jesus Do?
Miracle
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Bible reference
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Spiritual truth demonstrated
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Paralytic healed
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Luke 5
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The forgiveness of sins
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5,000 people fed
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John 6
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Jesus is the bread of life
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Various miracles
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Matthew 8
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Jesus' authority over disease
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How did people respond to Jesus?
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People
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Response
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Reasons
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Leaders
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Few believed
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They rejected Jesus because:
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Crowds
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Many believed
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Examples of those who welcomed Jesus:
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Concluding Thought
As you read the four gospels, compile your own biography of Jesus. Use the four headings on this page, and write down what happened, with its reference in the gospels.
See also: A year's worth of Bible studies, page 62.