The Human and Divine Names of the God/man
The question “What’s in a name?” makes us think about how important names are in different parts of life. When you were born, you were given a name, a name that your parents talked about for a while and decided it was perfect for you. Names often carry cultural, family and historical meaning. In different cultures, names can reflect family traditions, values or history. Names also affect how people are treated or how they see themselves in society. Our names can even shape how we feel about ourselves and influence our choices. In everyday life, names help us identify people, places and things.
So, a name is not just a simple label — it represents culture, history, relationships, power and identity. Whether looking at it from a literary, social, ethical or spiritual perspective, a name is more than just a way to identify someone. It reflects who we are, how we connect with the world and how the world sees us. However, a name doesn’t fully define who we are. Our true selves go beyond just the name we’re given.
The God/man’s Name
When it came time for Mary and Joseph to name their first-born child, a name already had been selected for Him by the Lord God of the Universe.
God sent His angel Gabriel to Mary to reveal the name God already had chosen for their son.
The baby was to be named Jesus, which in Hebrew means “The Lord is salvation” or “God saves.” This is His given name, reflecting His role in bringing salvation to humanity.
26 In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a village in Galilee, 27 to a virgin named Mary. She was engaged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of King David. 28 Gabriel appeared to her and said, “Greetings favored woman! The Lord is with you!”
29 Confused and disturbed, Mary tried to think what the angel could mean. 30 “Don’t be afraid, Mary,” the angel told her, “for you have found favor with God! 31 You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you will name him Jesus. 32 He will be very great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his ancestor David. 33 And he will reign over Israel forever; his Kingdom will never end!” Luke 1:26-33 (NLT)
The Bible contains over 200 names and titles for Christ. Jesus Christ is known by many names and titles, each reflecting different aspects of His identity, mission and divine nature. Why is it important for us to learn about some of the different names, titles and meanings of His names? Each one gives us another insight into and understanding of who the God/man is, laying the foundation for who He is, what His purpose on earth was and the glory of His deity here on earth.
My friends, from the beginning of this study, I’ve told you it is our duty and obligation to grow in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and that we need to know everything that God’s Holy Word has to say about Him.
Following are some of the more prominent names/titles, organized in categories according to the nature of Christ, His position in the tri-unity of God and His work on earth on our behalf.
A. Names and Titles of the God/man — Who He Is*
The Firstborn over all creation:
15He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation: Colossians 1:15 (NASB)
Christ occupies the rank and preeminence of the first-born over all things, meaning that He sustains the most exalted rank in the universe; He is preeminent above all others; He is at the head of all things.
The Son of God:
48 “How do you know about me?” Nathanael asked. Jesus replied, “I could see you under the fig tree before Philip found you.” 49 Then Nathanael exclaimed, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God—the King of Israel!” John 1:48-49 (NLT)
Jesus is the “only begotten of the Father.” This name is used 42 times in the New Testament. “Son of God” affirms the deity of Christ.
The Son of man:
26 The Father has life in himself, and he has granted that same life-giving power to his Son. 27 And he has given him authority to judge everyone because he is the Son of Man. John 5:26-27 (NLT)
The phrase “Son of Man” emphasizes the humanity of Christ that exists alongside His divinity.
The Holy One:
13 The God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, the God of our fathers, glorified His Servant Jesus, whom you delivered up and denied in the presence of Pilate, when he was determined to let Him go.14 But you denied the Holy One and the Just, and asked for a murderer to be granted to you, Acts 3:13-14 (NKJV)
Christ is holy, both in his divine and human nature, and the fountain of holiness to His people. By His death, we are made holy and pure before God.
Immanuel:
22 So all this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying: 23 “Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,” which is translated, “God with us.” Matthew 1:22-23 (NKJV)
Literally “God with us.” Both Isaiah and Matthew affirm that the Christ who would be born in Bethlehem would be God Himself who came to earth in the form of a man to live among His people.
The Prince of peace:
6 For a child is born to us, a son is given to us. The government will rest on his shoulders. And he will be called: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6 (NLT)
Jesus came not to bring peace to the world as in the absence of war but peace between God and man who were separated by sin. He died to reconcile sinners to a holy God.
Names and Titles of the God/man — His Purpose on Earth*
Our Deliverer:
26 And then all Israel will be saved. Do you remember what the prophets said about this? “There shall come out of Zion a Deliverer, and he shall turn the Jews from all ungodliness. Romans 11:26 (TLB)
Just as the Israelites needed God to deliver them from bondage to Egypt, so Christ is our Deliverer from the bondage of sin.
The Lamb of God:
28 These things took place in Bethany beyond the Jordan, where John was baptizing people. 29 The next day he *saw Jesus coming to him, and *said, “Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! John 1:28-29 (NASB)
God’s Law called for the sacrifice of a spotless, unblemished Lamb as an atonement for sin. Jesus became that Lamb led meekly to the slaughter, showing His patience in His sufferings and His readiness to die for His own.
The Good Shepherd:
14 “I am the Good Shepherd. I know My sheep and My sheep know Me. John 10:14 (NLV)
In Bible times, a good shepherd was willing to risk his own life to protect his sheep from predators. Jesus laid down His life for His sheep, and He cares for and nurtures and feeds us.
Our Savior:
10 And so the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people; 11 for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. Luke 2:10-11(NASB)
He saves His people by dying to redeem them, by giving the Holy Spirit to renew them by His power, by enabling them to overcome their spiritual enemies, by sustaining them in trials and in death and by raising them up at the last day.
The Resurrection and the Life
25 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life; the one who believes in Me will live, even if he dies, 26 and everyone who lives and believes in Me will never die. Do you believe this?” John 11:25-26 (NASB)
This title highlights Jesus’ power over death and His promise of eternal life to those who believe in Him.
Names and Titles of the God/man — His Position in the Trinity *
The Great “I Am”:
13 Then Moses said to God, “Indeed, when I come to the children of Israel and say to them, ‘The God of your fathers has sent me to you,’ and they say to me, ‘What is His name?’ what shall I say to them?”
14 And God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM.” And He said, “Thus you shall say to the children of Israel, ‘I AM has sent me to you.’ Exodus 3:13-14 (NKJV)
58 Jesus said to them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I AM.” John 8:58 (NKJV)
When Jesus ascribed to Himself this title, the Jews tried to stone Him for blasphemy. They understood that He was declaring Himself to be the eternal God, the unchanging Yahweh of the Old Testament.
The Word:
1 The Word (Christ) was in the beginning. The Word was with God. The Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning.
14 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 1:1-2 -14 (NLV)
The Word is the second Person of the triune God, who said it and it was done, who spoke all things out of nothing in the first creation, who was in the beginning with God the Father and was God, by whom all things were created.
The Lord of All:
36 This is the message of Good News for the people of Israel — that there is peace with God through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all. Acts 10:36 (NLT)
Jesus is the sovereign ruler over the whole world and all things in it, of all the nations of the world, and particularly of the people of God’s choosing, Gentiles as well as Jews.
The Light of the World:
12 Jesus spoke to the people once more and said, “I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won’t have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life.” John 8:12 (NLT)
Jesus came into a world darkened by sin and shed the light of life and truth through His work and His words. Those who trust in Him have their eyes opened by Him and walk in the light.
The Alpha and Omega:
12 “Look, I am coming soon, bringing my reward with me to repay all people according to their deeds. 13 I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.” Revelation 22:12-13 (NLT)
Jesus declared Himself to be the beginning and end of all things, a reference to no one but the true God. This statement of eternality could apply only to God.
The Judge of Mankind:
42 And he sent us to preach the Good News everywhere and to testify that Jesus is ordained of God to be the Judge of all—living and dead. Acts 10:42 (TLB)
The Lord Jesus was appointed by God to judge the world and to dispense the rewards of eternity.
The King of Kings and Lord of Lords:
15 For, at just the right time Christ will be revealed from heaven by the blessed and only almighty God, the King of all kings and Lord of all lords. 1 Timothy 6:15 (NLT)
Jesus has dominion over all authority on the earth, over all kings and rulers, and none can prevent Him from accomplishing His purposes. He directs them as He pleases.
The True God:
20 We know God’s Son has come. He has given us the understanding to know Him Who is the true God. We are joined together with the true God through His Son, Jesus Christ. He is the true God and the life that lasts forever. 1 John 5:20 (NLV)
This is a direct assertion that Jesus, being the true God, is not only divine but is the Divine. Since the Bible teaches there is only one God, this can only be describing His nature as part of the triune God.
Names and Titles of the God/man — His Work on Earth
The Bread of Life:
35 Jesus said to them, “I am the Bread of Life. He who comes to Me will never be hungry. He who puts his trust in Me will never be thirsty. John 6:35 (NLV)
Just as bread sustains life in the physical sense, Jesus is the Bread that gives and sustains eternal life. God provided manna in the wilderness to feed His people, and He provided Jesus to give us eternal life through His body, broken for us.
The Way, Truth, Life:
6 Jesus said, “I am the Way and the Truth and the Life. No one can go to the Father except by Me. John 14:6 (NLV)
Jesus is the only path to God, the only Truth in a world of lies and the only true source of eternal life. He embodies all three in both a temporal and an eternal sense.
The True Vine:
15 ‘I am the true vine, and my Father is the vine-grower. 2 He removes every branch in me that bears no fruit. Every branch that bears fruit he prunes to make it bear more fruit. John 15:1-2 (NRSV)
The True Vine supplies all that the branches (believers) need to produce the fruit of the Spirit — the living water of salvation and nourishment from the Word.
The Author and Perfecter of Our Faith:
2 Let us keep looking to Jesus. Our faith comes from Him and He is the One Who makes it perfect. He did not give up when He had to suffer shame and die on a cross. He knew of the joy that would be His later. Now He is sitting at the right side of God. Hebrews 12:2 (NLV)
Salvation is accomplished through the faith that is the gift of God (Ephesians 2:8-9), and Jesus is the founder of our faith and the finisher of it as well. From first to last, He is the source and sustainer of the faith that saves us.
Names and Titles of the God/man — His Work with the Father*
Our High Priest:
17 Therefore, in all things He had to be made like His brothers so that He might become a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. Hebrews 2:17 (NASB)
The Jewish high priest entered the Temple once a year to make atonement for the sins of the people. The Lord Jesus performed that function for His people once for all at the cross.
Our Mediator:
5 For there is one God, and one mediator also between God and mankind, the Man Christ Jesus, 1 Timothy 2:5 (NASB)
A mediator is one who goes between two parties to reconcile them. Christ is the one and only Mediator who reconciles men and God. Praying to Mary or the saints is idolatry because it bypasses this most important role of Christ and ascribes the role of Mediator to another.
Names and Titles of the God/man — His Work with the Church*
He is the Chief Cornerstone:
19 From now on you are not strangers and people who are not citizens. You are citizens together with those who belong to God. You belong in God’s family. 20 This family is built on the teachings of the missionaries and the early preachers. Jesus Christ Himself is the cornerstone, which is the most important part of the building. 21 Christ keeps this building together and it is growing into a holy building for the Lord. 22 You are also being put together as a part of this building because God lives in you by His Spirit. Ephesians 2:19-22 (NLV)
Jesus is the cornerstone of the building, which is His church. He cements together Jew and Gentile, male and female — all saints from all ages and places into one structure built on faith in Him which is shared by all.
He is the Head of the Church:
15-16 Instead, we will lovingly follow the truth at all times—speaking truly, dealing truly, living truly—and so become more and more in every way like Christ who is the Head of his body, the Church. Under his direction, the whole body is fitted together perfectly, and each part in its own special way helps the other parts, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love. Ephesians 4:15-16 (TLB)
Jesus Christ, not a king or a pope, is the only supreme, sovereign ruler of the Church — those for whom He died and who have placed their faith in Him alone for salvation.
My friends, these are just a sample of the names and titles of the God/man. We often read them in scripture and just pass over them. It was important for us to pause to pull out some of these names to remind ourselves of the magnitude and majesty of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Until next time, my friends, when we will dive into God’s Holy Word and look at the significance of the seven last sayings as the God/man hung on the cross. Now may Mercy, Peace and Love be multiplied to you.
*Credit for the following information goes to www.GotQuestion.org