13 Names of Jesus.

Discover 13 Names of Jesus that help us understand who He is and what He came to do. All the names are taken from the Bible.

Names of Jesus

There are many names and titles that are applied to Jesus. Some He claimed and used to describe Himself. Others were applied to Him in prophecies or by those who knew Him. This selection of 12 names of Jesus is intended to help us understand who He is.

1. The Son of Man

In an ancient prophecy revealed to Daniel when he was in captivity in Babylon, there is a reference to a “son of man.”

“In my vision at night I looked, and there before me was one like a son of man, coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was led into his presence.”
Daniel 7:13

This title became the primary title that Jesus used to describe Himself in the gospels. It points to His humility and identification with humankind. The Pharisees were infuriated when Jesus claimed this title as it implied that He was indeed the long awaited Messiah and God in the flesh.

The only other person in the New Testament who used this was the martyr, Stephen, who uttered the following words as he was responding to charges against him by the Pharisees.

Look,” he said, “I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.” Acts 7:56

Upon hearing these words the Pharisees were enraged and stoned Stephen to death.

2. The Son of God & The Messiah

When Jesus asked His followers who they thought He was, Simon Peter was quick to respond. He stated emphatically,

“You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.”
Matthew 16:16

By stating that Jesus was the Messiah, Simon Peter was confidently declaring that Jesus was the One promised by God. Messiah, and the Greek translation, Christ, both mean that Jesus was the “Anointed One,” chosen by God to deliver His people.

By describing Jesus as the “Son of the living God”, Peter was recognizing that Jesus was divine – that He was in fact, God in human form.

3. The Lamb of God

For centuries, the Jewish people had sacrificed lambs as atonement for their sins. Daily sacrifices were offered at the temple for the sins of the people. In addition, a sacrificial lamb was the centrepiece of the Jewish Passover.

John the Baptist understood clearly who Jesus was and the Apostle John records John’s strong declaration for us in his gospel.

The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!
John 1:29

Unlike in ancient times, we no longer need to offer sacrifices. Jesus is our sacrifice. He is the ultimate sacrifice for our sins and no other is needed.

4. The Light of the World

In his gospel,  John records 7 “I AM” statements that Jesus made. One of them was the following:

When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”
John 8:12

By describing Himself as the light of the world, Jesus is saying that He is the only true source of spiritual light. In our fallen state, we explore countless spiritual avenues, but the only one that truly illuminates our hearts and minds is Jesus. All other spiritual lights are false and misleading.

5. The Good Shepherd

Another of the “I AM statements of Jesus stated that Jesus was the “Good Shepherd.” Jesus claimed the title for Himself when He said,

“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.
John 10:11

Many of us live in cities and have little idea of the role of a shepherd, but the Jewish people certainly did. Shepherds generally did not own the flocks that they took care of. Naturally, some shepherds were more committed to their job than others.

Jesus describes Himself as a shepherd who is so committed to His task that He is prepared to sacrifice His life to save the sheep. This is, of course, exactly what Jesus did when He laid down His life for us on the cross at Calvary.

6. The Bread of Life

In most countries around the world, bread is considered a staple food. Without it, people could starve. When Jesus describes Himself as the “bread of life” In doing so, He is making a powerful statement.

“I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.
John 6:35

Essentially Jesus is saying that, just like people cannot live without physical sustenance, they cannot live without spiritual sustenance. Without Jesus we starve spiritually. He is saying that He is essential for our very existence.

7. The Way, The Truth & The Life

In another of the great “I AM” statements Jesus doesn’t hold back when He describes Himself to His listeners. He states,

“I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
John 14:6

During the Last Supper Jesus told His disciples that He would soon be leaving them but that He was going to prepare a place for them in His Father’s house. Thomas, uncertain of Jesus’ meaning pointed out that he did not know where Jesus was going or how to get there.

Jesus makes it very clear that the only way to His Father’s house was through Him. “I am the way and the truth and the life.” This implies that every other way is false and misleading. Every other religion takes a different way and does not lead to heaven. Only Jesus can bring us safely home to our Father’s house.

8. The Prince of Peace

In the ancient prophecy by Isaiah, the Messiah is describe, among other things, as the “Prince of Peace.“

And he will be called, Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Isaiah 9:6

Throughout history, the world has been ravaged by violence and war. Countless millions have died because of the evil of mankind. Man’s sinful condition also means that he is in a state of war with God. This is a war we cannot win.

However, Jesus is the Prince of Peace. He brings us into a peaceful relationship with God. He paid the price for our sins when He died on the cross. In addition, we have the great promise that He will return to bring everlasting peace to this world.

9. The Word

In Jewish and Greek culture, the Word was associated with the revelation of God. John is helping his Jewish and Greek readers understand that Jesus is the revelation of God.

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
John 1:1

By applying this name to Jesus, John is clearly stating that he believes that Jesus is God in the flesh. He says,

The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. John 1:14

Don’t doubt for one minute that the disciples were absolutely convinced that Jesus was God.

10. Our Great High Priest

Priests played an important role in Judaism. The writer of the Epistle to the Hebrews understood this deeply and pointed out that Jesus is our “Great High Priest.”

Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess.
Hebrews 4:14

Priests typically intercede or mediate in religious services. In Jewish culture there was a historical line, the tribe of Levi, who provided the priests who were set apart to carry out the sacrifices and other activities on behalf of the people.

Jesus carried out His priestly role by providing Himself as the ultimate sacrifice on our behalf. In addition, it is through Him that we can confidently approach the throne of God in prayer.

11. The King of Kings & Lord of Lords

Three days after Jesus died, He rose from the dead. A few weeks later He ascended into heaven, where He is today. Jesus will return to the earth at some date that is currently only known by the Father.

Jesus will be revealed in all His glory, riding a white horse, when He returns. The scene is described for us in the Book of Revelation, which is a prophetic book written by John. John recorded what He saw for us in a series of astonishing visions, describing Jesus as the King of Kings and Lord of Lords.

On his robe and on his thigh he has this name written:
KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.
Revelation 19:16

Make no mistake, despite the unbelief of the world around us, Jesus will return. Although He was mistreated and humiliated the first time He came, this time He will be revealed in all His power and glory. He will judge the nations, and those whose names are not found in the book of life will be thrown into the lake of fire. Heaven will come down to earth and Jesus will rule eternally from the new Jerusalem.

12. The Alpha & Omega

Alpha and Omega are the first and last letters in the Greek alphabet. Jesus uses the words to describe Himself in the Book of Revelation.

I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.
Revelation 22:13

Jesus is saying that He is the beginning and end of everything. However, as God in the flesh, He is eternal. Everything is included in Him. John said,

Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. John 1:3

We owe our existence entirely to Jesus, the Alpha and the Omega.

13. My Lord & My God

The names of Jesus make it clear who He is. He is our Lord and our God!

Thomas struggled to believe that Jesus had risen from the dead, but when Jesus appeared to him too, he made a remarkable declaration,

Thomas said to him, “My Lord and my God!”
John 20:28

The names of Jesus can lead to no other conclusion than that the Holy Scriptures and those who wrote it understood that Jesus is God in human form.

What to Do With the Names of Jesus

If you are not yet a follower of Jesus, take time to review these names and meditate on their meaning. Ask Jesus to reveal Himself to you. If you are still uncertain, ask a Christian friend to take time to explain Jesus to you.

If you are a Christian, download the pdf entitled, “13 Names of Jesus.” Share the download with your friends, your Bible study group or Sunday School class. Do more research about the names of Jesus and teach others what you learn.

What is your favourite name of Jesus? How do you share it with others? We would to hear from you. Comment below or contact us at HopeStreamRadio.