Jesus is More than a Cuss Word - Page 2 of 3
Now we come back to the name “Jesus.” It is a name no different in identity usage of the day than we have today in Joseph or Franklin or Robert. And here are variables to names such as Joe from Joseph, Frank from Franklin or even more so, Bob or Bert from Robert. Equally, the alternates of Jesus may be Joshua, Jeshua, or Jehoshua, but they are all the same, a first name, a given name with a twist or shortening of such.
Surnames, that is last names, are another issue and not just with the Hebrew families, though we do not have a “surname” listed for Jesus. Surnames came about later in history and there are a number of ways this came about. Some came from family, some from vocation. From O’Brian/O’Brien to Svenson/Swanson, from Smith/Smythe to Wheeler/Wyler, there is a story of origin. A good study, but we’ll stick with the subject matter here.
Jesus has no surname in scripture. But as we see below, He was recognized as the “Son of God” by many, in two worlds.
Jesus is addressed as the “son of Joseph” on 6 occasions in scripture such as:
“John 6:42; Is not this Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know?”
At times, though, it may have been as a slur relating to His birth as being “illegitimate”;
“John 8:41; Then said they to him, We be not born of fornication; we have one Father, even God.”
He is addressed or questioned as to His lineage as the “son of God” some 4 dozen times in scripture. But most important, there are a number of people and spiritual beings that recognize and knew Him as the “son of God.”
Mark begins his Gospel with this acknowledgment that Jesus is the son of God, Mark 1:1. Luke discovers His lineage ending it with the same acknowledgment, Luke 3:38. And the other writers of the New Testament confirm this title.
And, let’s not forget the “demons,” not just those men that constantly harangued Him, but the demons of the spiritual world, the type that possess men, they recognized Him as the son of God, Matthew 8:29; Mark 3:11; Luke 8:28.
And more, John the Baptist identified Him as such having witnessed the words of God from Heaven, Matthew 3:17 as did three apostles, Matthew 17:4-5.
Then last, we have the testimony of Jesus Himself when confronted by His constant tormentors, Mark 14:61-62.
The worlds, physical and spiritual, knew him as the Son of God.
Now as to His family name, Jesus could have been addressed as Jesus ben Joseph (Hebrew) or Jesus bar Joseph (Aramaic), indicating his family lineage through an earthly father, but He never was in scripture. Hebrew and Aramaic, along with old Greek, which are the three basic languages of the Bible, never use these names. It would have been incorrect. He is the Son of God.
Jesus is the Christ, and here we have a meaningful title, “Christ.” And here is where we may find an interesting and informative play on words stemming from this one word.
Remember back a bit, we talked about Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance. If you have a copy, dig it out and follow along with me. If not, that’s okay. You can come along with me and examine this study at another time.