THE NAME OF CHRIST

In this paper we shall briefly consider how people addressed the Lord Jesus in the Bible, and how we should address Him today.

In the New Testament, the Lord Jesus is called by over one hundred and twenty names and titles.  No one else in Scripture has such a numerous and rich array of titles.

These names and titles fall into three main categories.

a)     Titles of honour, such as Lord, God, Emmanuel.

b)     Titles, which describe His office and work, such as Saviour, Mediator, Redeemer, Master, Teacher.

c)     Personal names, such as Jesus, Jesus Christ, Jesus of Nazareth.

Also there are three ways in which the Lord’s names and titles are used.  Firstly, how the Lord spoke of Himself.  Secondly, how people wrote or spoke about the Lord.  Thirdly, how people spoke to the Lord personally.  Let us consider each of these three ways in which the Lord’s name was used.

1.        How did the Lord refer to himself?

By far the most frequent name the Lord used was ‘The Son of man’ which occurs some fifty nine times in the four gospels.  This name only occurs in two other New Testament books - Three times in Acts and twice in the book of Revelation.

The Lord only referred to Himself as ‘Jesus’ twice. Once when He spoke to Paul on the road to Damascus in Acts 9:5, “I am Jesus whom you persecute” and in Revelation 22:20, “I Jesus have sent my angel.”

On other occasions the Lord referred to Himself as ‘Lord’, ‘Master’, ‘Teacher’ and twice as the ‘Son of God’.  John 10:36. Mark 14:62.

2.        How people spoke or wrote about the Lord?

They employed various names and titles.

The most often used name by far is ‘Jesus’, which occurs some five hundred and ninety times in the four gospels.

The Lord is regularly referred to by names that are combinations of the name Jesus, such as ‘Jesus Christ’, ‘Lord Jesus’, ‘Lord Jesus Christ’, ‘Jesus of Nazareth’ etc.

3.        Those who spoke directly to the Lord.

There is no record that they addressed Him by the name ‘Jesus’.

Among the nearest to do so were the demons; they said in Mark 1:24, “Jesus of Nazareth…. I know thee who thou art, the Holy One of God.”

And the blind man in Mark 9:47 who cried, “Jesus, thou son of David, have mercy on me.”

It is important to notice the manner in which the Lord was addressed personally by His disciples.  For example in John chapters 13:6, 25, 36, 37 and 14:5, 8, 22, record how Peter, John, Thomas, Philip and Judas (not Iscariot) spoke directly to the Lord.  On each occasion they called Him ‘Lord’.  In fact Jesus acknowledges this, “Ye call Me Master and Lord: and say well; for so I am.” John 13:13.  The disciples spoke to the Lord in this manner at all times.  Only Judas is never said to have called Jesus ‘Lord’, but only ‘Master’, when he betrayed Him. Matthew  26:49.

4.    The pattern in the New Testament

The earthly life of the Lord Jesus lasted for thirty-three years, and His ministry for only three years, then He was exalted to the right hand of God.  Consequently, He is addressed and referred to in both His lowly state and also in His exalted state.  The names and titles given to Him reflect a change also.  The Lord is referred to as simply ‘Jesus’ 596 times in the four gospels, whereas in the writings of Paul He is called ‘Jesus’ only 17 times, and called Lord 146 times, with a further 97 occasions as ‘Lord Jesus’ or ‘Lord Jesus Christ’.  Many New Testament books do not refer to Him as simply ‘Jesus’ at all, but on each occasion as the Lord Jesus Christ.

5.    The individual New Testament books.

In this paper we shall give a brief overview of the use of the Lord’s name in the various New Testament books.  This is by no means an exhaustive treatment, but hopefully will demonstrate the general usage of the Lord’s name.

MATTHEW:  In Matthew’s gospel, the Lord is referred to as simply ‘Jesus’ 164 times, but this is only in Matthew’s writings.

No one is said to have personally addressed Him by the name ‘Jesus’, with perhaps the single exception when the angel commanded Joseph, “Thou shalt call His name Jesus.” Matthew 1:21.  However, this was spoken to Joseph, not Jesus Himself.

Matthew refers to the Lord as ‘Jesus Christ’ 5 times, ‘Jesus surnamed Christ’ once, ‘Jesus of Galilee’ once, ‘Jesus the prophet from Galilee’ once. ‘Emmanuel’ once, ‘King of the Jews’ once, ‘Lord’ 20 times, ‘Son of man’ 30 times and ‘Teacher’ 19 times.

MARK:  Mark referred to the Lord as ‘Jesus’ 189 times, however he never records anyone else calling Him ‘Jesus’.  The names employed by others when speaking to the Lord are, Jesus of Nazareth’, 3 times; ‘Jesus the Holy One of God’, twice; ‘Jesus Son of David’, once; ‘Rabbi’, 3 times; ‘Rabboni’, 4 times; ‘Teacher’, 4 times by the disciples and 7 times by others and ‘Christ’ 5 times.

He is called ‘Lord’ 7 times by Mark, and 5 times by the Lord Himself.

LUKE:  Luke refers to the Lord as ‘Jesus’ 93 times.  He personally calls Jesus ‘Lord’ 14 times, which is more than Matthew or Mark; ‘Son of Man’ 25 times, and ‘Son of God’ 6 times.  He calls the Lord ‘Jesus Christ’ once, ‘Jesus of Nazareth’ once, “Jesus, Son of David’ once and ‘Christ’ once.  Luke records the Lord being called ‘Teacher’ 12 times and ‘Master’ 7 times.

JOHN:  In his gospel, John calls the Lord ‘Jesus’ 250 times, but does not record anyone directly calling Him Jesus.  He is called ‘Lord’ 29 times and ‘The Lord’ 7 times.  He is called ‘Son of Man’ 12 times, ‘Son of God’ 9 times and ‘Son’ 16 times.

John calls Christ ‘Teacher’ twice and records others calling Him ‘Teacher’ 14 times.  Other titles given to the Lord in John are, ‘Word’ 3 times, ‘Only Begotten’ 3 times, ‘Light’ 5 times and ‘King’ once.

ACTS:  The book of Acts covers most of the New Testament period from Christ’s resurrection and ascension, to the imprisonment of Paul.  In this period the title Lord becomes predominant in the thought and writings of the apostles, and the name ‘Jesus’ takes a subordinate place.

In the book of Acts, the Lord is referred to as ‘Jesus’ 44 times, ‘Jesus of Nazareth’ 13 times, ‘Jesus Christ’ 6 times, ‘The Lord Jesus Christ’ 5 times – this is the first time we read of this full title, ‘Lord Jesus’ 11 times (Christ is not called ‘Lord Jesus’ in the gospels), ‘Lord’ 31 times, ‘Christ’ 11 times and ‘Son of God’ and ‘Son of man’ 3 times each.

EPISTLES OF PAUL:  Paul always speaks of the Lord in a reverent manner, although, when he was a Pharisee, he would, like other Jews, have spoken very degradingly of Christ.

Paul calls Christ ‘Lord’ 146 times. ‘Jesus’ 17 times, ‘The’ or ‘our Lord Jesus’ 26 times, ‘Our Lord Jesus Christ’ 49 times, ‘Christ Jesus our Lord’ 10 times, ‘Jesus Christ our Lord’ 6 times, ‘Christ’ 210 times and ‘Christ Jesus’ 84 times.

HEBREWS:  The Lord’s name is mentioned as ‘High priest’ 18 times, ‘Christ’ 9 times, ‘Son’ 8 times, ‘Jesus’ 8 times, ‘Son of God’ 5 times, ‘Lord’ 4 times, ‘Jesus Christ’ 3 times and ‘Lord Jesus’ 1.

JAMES:  There are very few references to Christ in the book of James.  He is called ‘The Lord’ 4 times and ‘The Lord Jesus Christ’ 2 times.

1 & 2 PETER:  Peter names the Lord as ‘Christ’ 13 times, ‘Lord’ 8 times, ‘Jesus Christ 9 times, ‘Our Lord Jesus Christ’ 6 times and ‘Our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ’ 4 times.

EPISTLES OF JOHN:  John calls Him ‘Jesus’ 4 times, ‘Christ’ 4 times, ‘Jesus Christ’ 5 times, ‘Son’, ‘Son of God’ 17 times and ‘God’s only begotten Son’ 5 times.

JUDE:  He is called ‘Jesus Christ’ 4 times and ‘the Lord Jesus Christ’ 3 times.

REVELATION:  The last book of the Bible calls the Saviour ‘Jesus’ 9 times, ‘Christ’ 4 times, ‘Jesus Christ’ 3 times, ‘Lord Jesus’ 2 times, ‘King of kings’ 7 times, ‘Son of man’ 2 times, ‘Son of God’ once, ‘Alpha and Omega’ 2 times, ‘First and Last’ 2 times and ‘Root and Offspring of David’ once.

6.       Summary.

To sum up the results of this brief study; it is evident that during the Lord’s earthly life and ministry, people referred to Him by His personal name, ‘Jesus’.  It does not appear that they called Him by this name personally, but indirectly when writing or referring to Him.  Personally people called Him by a variety of names, such as ‘Master’, ‘Lord’, ‘Jesus thou Son of David’, ‘Teacher’.  The Lord nearly always referred to Himself as the Son of Man.

Following the Lord’s resurrection, there is an obvious change in how believers referred to Christ.  They rarely called Him simply by the name ‘Jesus’, but mostly referred to Him as ‘The Lord Jesus’, ‘The Lord Jesus Christ’ and often by His Messianic name of ‘Christ’.  By far the greatest name given to Him is ‘Lord’, both in speaking directly to Him and writing about Him.  The obvious reason for the predominance of the title ‘Lord’ after He had risen was because now He is exalted to the right hand of the Father and has been glorified.

All believers should express the same recognition of the honour and glory of Christ in the names and titles they use to both address Him and speak about Him.

Rev R. Cameron-Smith.