The Many Names of Mary’s Baby

Does your full name include a first, middle, and last name? Perhaps you also have a nickname. Do you know the meaning of each one? Parents often choose a name for their baby based on its meaning. Names in the Bible also had special meanings. Choices often described the person’s character, family, or job.

When God sent His Son to earth, He prepared several special names and titles for Him. Many of them were prophesied hundreds of years before the Virgin Mary gave birth to her baby. Each one tells us something about who this baby was and what He came to do.

You may be familiar with the names and titles associated with Mary’s baby at the time of His birth, but do you know why they were assigned? Check out the following list and test yourself!

Jesus

Mary and Joseph didn’t pick just any name for their baby. When the angel Gabriel appeared to Mary, he told her, “Behold, you will conceive in your womb and give birth to a son, and you shall name Him Jesus” (Luke 1:31).

And in Matthew 1:21, an angel appeared to Joseph and told him what to name Him. “She will give birth to a Son; and you shall name Him Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.”

The name Jesus is the Greek version of the Hebrew name Joshua from the Old Testament. It means “the Lord is salvation.” Jesus’ name describes what He came to do: He came to bring us salvation from sin.

Immanuel

When Matthew wrote his account of Jesus’ life, he said the events of Jesus’ birth took place to fulfill what the prophet Isaiah prophesied 700 years earlier. In Matthew 1:23, he quoted Isaiah 7:14, “Behold, the virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and she will name Him Immanuel.” Matthew then explained the reason for this name when he added, “which translated means, ‘God with us.’”

Ruler

In Matthew 2:1-2, Matthew wrote that after Jesus’ birth, Magi, also called Wise Men, came from a foreign land to look for the new king. When King Herod heard this, he asked his advisors where the prophets had said God’s new king would be born.

The religious leaders quoted from the prophet Micah. Also 700 years earlier, Micah had written, “But as for you, Bethlehem Ephrathah . . . From you One will come forth from Me to be ruler in Israel” (Micah 5:2).

Jesus’ rule over Israel and all the earth will be consummated when He returns in His second coming. Until then, He rules over His kingdom in the hearts and lives of His people.

Shepherd

In Matthew 2:6, Matthew used yet another name for Jesus. He said Jesus would be a Shepherd. Matthew quoted from Micah 5:4, “He will arise and shepherd His flock in the strength of the Lord.”

Sheep are helpless animals. They need a shepherd to care for them. A good shepherd provides places for his flock to graze and protects them from enemies. While I may not appreciate being compared to a helpless animal, I am grateful for God’s provision and protection!

Son of God

The angel Gabriel told Mary her baby’s father would be unlike any other. He said, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; for that reason also the holy child will be called the Son of God” (Luke 1:35).

A thousand years earlier, the psalmist wrote about this in Psalm 2:7, when he described God as saying, “You are My Son, today I have fathered You.”

Son of the Most High

When the angel Gabriel told Mary what her baby’s name would be, the angel also added, “He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High” (Luke 1:32).

One of God’s names El Elyon, the Most High God. No one and nothing is bigger, stronger, or higher than God. He is in control of everything, and He is always at work in our lives to accomplish His purposes.

Christ and Savior

The name “Christ” isn’t really a name, it’s a title. “Christ” is the Greek equivalent of the Hebrew word “Messiah.” Both words mean “anointed one.”

When an angel announced Jesus’ birth to the shepherds in the field, he told them, “Today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord” (Luke 2:11).

The people had been waiting for God to send the Messiah or the Christ—the One who would save the people from their sin. Now He had come!

These are the names and titles assigned to Jesus at the time of His birth. Of course, there are many more names in the Bible used to describe Him during His earthly ministry.

How many more can you find?

Notes:

• All Scripture quotes are from the New American Standard Bible translation.
• For more information about the names and attributes of God, check out Reflections on the Names of God: 180 Devotions to Know God More Fully.