One of the most neglected, if not the most overlooked, name of Jesus is the topic of our consideration: Yeshua ha-Notzri or Jesus of Nazareth. Most Christians are completely unaware that this is one of our Lord’s names. Likewise, they are oblivious to the meaning and the importance of this name. Of greater consequence, if theologians, professors of theology, ministers and students of the Word would have studied this particular name “Replacement Theology” would never have been developed. If one accepts God’s Word as authentic and authoritative, then the names of the Lord would likewise carry the same authenticity and authority as God’s Word.[1]
Scriptural Basis:
However, before embarking on our investigation of this name let us look at the Scriptural basis for the name. There are five New Testament passages we shall consider, which are: Luke 1:31; 2:21; Mark 1:9; John 1:45, 49; and Matthew 2:23. All Scriptural passages, in this section, are from the King James Version—KJV.[2]
Luke 1:31—“And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS.”
Luke2:21--“And when eight days were accomplished for the circumcising of the child, his name was called, JESUS, which was so named of the angel before he was conceived in the womb.”
Mark 1:9—“And it came to pass in those days, that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee, and was baptized of John in Jordan.”
John 1:45 and 49—“We have found him, of whom Moses in the law, and prophets, did write Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph…Rabbi, thou art the Son of God; thou art the King of Israel.” (Moses in Genesis 3:15; 49:10 and Deuteronomy 18:18 and the prophets Isaiah 4:2; 7:14; 9:6; 53:2; Micah 5:2 and Zechariah 6:12 and 9:9).
Matthew 2:23—“And he came and dwelt in a city called Nazareth: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophets, He shall be called a Nazarene.”
[1] Special thanks to three friends for their assistance in the writing of this article: Rabbi Dr. T.E. Beckham, Rabbi Dr. Harold Hochberg and David Michael, M.Div.
[2] Hebrew-Greek Key Word Study Bible (KJV), AMG Publishers and The New Scofield Reference Bible (KJV), C.I, Scofield, editor, Oxford University Press, New York, 1967.
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