Matthew 1:21 (KJV)
“And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.”
Introduction
Across the body of Christ, a common question arises: Is His name Jesus or Yeshua—and does it matter? Some insist the name “Jesus” is a later invention. Others claim that salvation depends on pronouncing the Messiah’s Hebrew name exactly. A definitive and biblical answer is needed—one rooted not in speculation but in Scripture, history, and sound doctrine.
The Bible is not silent on this matter. God Himself ordained the name of His Son. The Holy Spirit inspired the apostles to write it. And the name that shakes kingdoms, defeats demons, and saves souls has never been in confusion with God.
The Name Given by God
The Angel Delivered the Name in the Language of the People
Matthew writes by inspiration of the Holy Ghost that the angel told Joseph:
“Thou shalt call his name JESUS.”
This was written in Greek: Ἰησοῦς (Iēsous).
Luke records the same:
“…his name was called JESUS, which was so named of the angel before he was conceived in the womb.” (Luke 2:21)
The New Testament, inspired by God, was written almost entirely in Greek—not Hebrew. The Spirit could have chosen Hebrew names if necessary, yet He inspired the Greek form Iēsous.
This tells us something critical:
God Himself authorized the name “Jesus.”
Yeshua: The Hebrew Form
The Hebrew Name and Its Meaning
Before the incarnation, the Messiah’s prophetic name in Hebrew was Yeshua, a shortened form of Yehoshua (Joshua), meaning “Yahweh is salvation.”
This is biblically accurate and historically true. When Jesus walked the earth as a man among Israelites, they would have called Him by the Hebrew/Aramaic name Yeshua.
Thus:
- Yeshua is His historical Hebrew name.
- Jesus (Iēsous) is His Spirit-inspired New Testament revealed name for all nations.
The Translation Argument
Scriptural Names Are Translated Throughout the Bible
The argument that a name must remain in its original language collapses when we examine Scripture. The Bible itself translates names constantly:
- Moses is not the Hebrew Mosheh.
- Isaiah is not Yeshayahu.
- Jeremiah is not Yirmeyahu.
- John is not Yochanan.
- James is not Yaakov.
God Himself approves translated names in His Word.
Furthermore, Acts 4:12 declares:
“Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.”
This was written in Greek, proclaiming the name Iēsous, not Yeshua.
If translation invalidated a name, then all nations without Hebrew-speaking populations would be unable to call upon Christ.
But the gospel is for “every creature” (Mark 16:15)—every language, every tongue.
The Apostolic Use of His Name
The Early Church Spoke Many Languages
The apostles preached Christ in Greek, Aramaic, Latin, and the languages of the nations. Yet the Holy Ghost consistently preserved the name Iēsous in the inspired record.
Demons fled in that Greek name (Acts 16:18).
Healings happened in that Greek name (Acts 3:6).
Salvation was preached in that Greek name (Acts 4:12).
If “Jesus” or “Iēsous” were incorrect or powerless, the Book of Acts would be a testimony of failure instead of victory.
Prophetic Fulfillment
The Name of the Messiah to Be Declared Among the Gentiles
Isaiah prophesied that God would make His name known to the ends of the earth (Isaiah 52:10).
The Gentile world did not speak Hebrew.
The Scriptures given to them were Greek.
The name by which they called upon the Messiah became Jesus.
This was not a linguistic accident—it was divine design.
Does Pronunciation Affect Salvation?
Absolutely not. Salvation is through faith, not phonetics.
Romans 10:13:
“For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”
The authority of Christ’s name is not in Hebrew syllables—it is in the Person, power, and identity of the Son of God.
If a man says “Jesus” in English, “Yesu” in Swahili, or “Yeshua” in Hebrew, he is invoking the same Lord, the same Savior, the same eternal Son.
Why the Debate Exists
Many arguments promoting “Yeshua only” or teaching that “Jesus” is pagan come from:
- Internet myths
- Fringe religious groups
- Hebrew Roots movements
- Claims with no biblical or historical support
Some even teach that “Jesus” means “earth pig” or “Zeus”—claims proven false by any competent linguistic or historical study.
The name Jesus is not pagan. It is not corrupted. It is the name used by the apostles, sealed by the Holy Spirit, and exalted by the Father.
The Exalted Name
Philippians 2:9–10 declares:
“Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name”
The Father Himself exalted the name of Jesus—
not a language, not a pronunciation, not a cultural form—
but the name that reveals the Savior of the world.
Whether spoken in Hebrew, Greek, English, or any tongue, the authority remains the same because Jesus is Lord.
Conclusion
Jesus or Yeshua? Which is correct?
Both.
Yeshua is His historical Hebrew name.
Jesus is His God-ordained New Testament name for the nations.
There is no conflict—only the unfolding of God’s redemptive plan. The Name above every name is not limited by earthly languages. Its power transcends culture and time because it is anchored in the identity of the Eternal Son, the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.
Call Him Jesus with confidence.
Call Him Yeshua with reverence.
But above all, call upon Him in faith—for He alone saves.