1. Joshua (fully Jehoshua), the famous captain of the Israelites, Moses' successor: Acts 7:45; Hebrews 4:8.

2. Jesus, son of Eliezer, one of Christ's ancestors: Luke 3:29 L T Tr WH.

3. Jesus, the Son of God, the Saviour of mankind: Matthew 1:21, 25; Luke 1:31; Luke 2:21, and very often; see κύριος and Χριστός.

4. Jesus Barabbas; see Βαραββᾶς.

5. Jesus, surnamed Justus, a Jewish Christian, an associate with Paul in preaching the gospel: Colossians 4:11.

Jesus is presented throughout the New Testament as the long-awaited Messiah, the incarnate Son of God, and the only Savior of mankind (Matthew 1:21; John 1:17; Acts 4:12). The Gospels record His earthly life; Acts proclaims His continuing work through the Spirit; the Epistles explain His redemptive accomplishments; Revelation unveils His final triumph.

Old Testament Antecedent

The Greek name corresponds to the Hebrew “Joshua.” Just as Joshua led Israel into the promised land, Jesus leads His people into the ultimate rest (Hebrews 4:8-9). The earlier deliverer thus foreshadows the greater Deliverer who brings salvation “to the ends of the earth” (Acts 13:23, 47).

Incarnation and Birth

Conceived of the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary (Matthew 1:20-25; Luke 1:31-35; 2:21), Jesus fulfills Isaiah 7:14 and Micah 5:2. The angelic announcement links His name with His mission: “He will save His people from their sins” (Matthew 1:21).

Public Ministry

Beginning in Galilee after His baptism and temptation (Matthew 3:13-17; 4:1-17; Luke 3:21-23), Jesus proclaimed, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near” (Matthew 4:17). His ministry featured authoritative teaching, miraculous signs, and compassionate works (Matthew 9:35; Acts 10:38).

Authority over Creation

By word alone He stilled storms (Mark 4:39), multiplied bread (John 6:11), walked on water (Matthew 14:25-27), and raised the dead (John 11:43-44). These deeds attest that “all things were created through Him and for Him” (Colossians 1:16).

Compassion for the Needy

He touched lepers (Matthew 8:2-3), restored sight (John 9:6-7), freed demoniacs (Mark 5:6-15), pardoned sinners (Luke 7:48-50), and welcomed children (Mark 10:14). His heart moved Him to feed the hungry and shepherd the wandering (Matthew 15:32; Mark 6:34).

Teaching and Parables

Crowds were amazed because “He taught as one having authority” (Matthew 7:28-29). Parables such as the sower, the prodigal son, and the good Samaritan reveal kingdom mysteries and call listeners to repentance and faith (Matthew 13; Luke 10:30-37; 15:11-32).

Fulfillment of Messianic Prophecy

Jesus meets every strand of Old Testament hope: the prophet like Moses (Deuteronomy 18:15; Acts 3:22-23), the priest after the order of Melchizedek (Psalm 110:4; Hebrews 7:22-25), and the king of David’s line (2 Samuel 7:12-16; Luke 1:32-33). Matthew repeatedly notes, “This was to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet” (e.g., Matthew 12:17; 21:4).

The Passion

Foretold by Jesus Himself (Mark 10:33-34), His betrayal, trials, crucifixion, and burial fulfill Scripture (Psalm 22; Isaiah 53). On the cross He cried, “It is finished” (John 19:30), signifying the complete atonement for sin (1 Peter 2:24).

Resurrection

“God raised Him up, releasing Him from the agony of death” (Acts 2:24). Eyewitnesses saw, touched, and ate with the risen Lord (Luke 24:39-43; John 20:27; 1 Corinthians 15:3-8). The resurrection vindicates His person, guarantees believers’ justification (Romans 4:25), and imparts living hope (1 Peter 1:3).

Ascension and Session

Forty days later He “was taken up, and a cloud received Him out of their sight” (Acts 1:9). Exalted at the Father’s right hand, He intercedes for His people (Romans 8:34) and pours out the Spirit (Acts 2:33).

Unique Mediator

“There is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus” (1 Timothy 2:5). Through His blood believers have bold access to God (Hebrews 10:19-22), reconciliation (Colossians 1:20-22), and every spiritual blessing (Ephesians 1:3).

The Saving Name

“Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved” (Romans 10:13). Baptism is administered “in the name of Jesus Christ” (Acts 2:38), demons flee at His name (Acts 16:18), and healing is granted “by faith in His name” (Acts 3:16).

Faith Union with Jesus

Believers are “crucified with Christ” (Galatians 2:20), “buried with Him in baptism” (Romans 6:4), “raised with Him” (Ephesians 2:6), and will be glorified with Him (Romans 8:17). Life is now lived “in Christ Jesus” (Romans 8:1).

Community Life in Jesus

Local churches are “saints in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 1:1), bound together in His love (Romans 15:5-6) and gifted for service (1 Corinthians 12:4-7). Discipline, teaching, and worship all center on Him (Matthew 18:20; Colossians 3:16-17).

Ethics in Jesus

He calls disciples to self-denial (Luke 9:23), love of enemies (Matthew 5:44-45), purity of heart (Matthew 5:8), generosity (Luke 6:38), humility (Matthew 11:29), and fidelity to truth (John 14:6).

Worship of Jesus

From the Magi (Matthew 2:11) to the saved in glory (Revelation 5:9-13), worship is rightly directed to Jesus. Thomas’s confession “My Lord and my God!” (John 20:28) is echoed by the church’s doxologies (2 Peter 3:18; Jude 1:25).

Future Return

The angels affirmed, “This same Jesus… will come back in the same way” (Acts 1:11). He will appear “in blazing fire with His mighty angels” (2 Thessalonians 1:7-10), raise the dead (John 5:28-29), judge the nations (Matthew 25:31-46), and usher in the new heavens and new earth (Revelation 21:1-4).

Usage Across the New Testament

With 923 occurrences, the name saturates every New Testament genre. The narrative Gospels (e.g., Matthew 3:13; John 4:6), historical Acts (Acts 3:6), doctrinal epistles (Romans 3:22; Hebrews 13:8), and prophetic Revelation (Revelation 22:16) all revolve around Jesus’ person and work.

Titles Coupled with the Name

Often linked with “Christ” (Matthew 1:17), “Lord” (Acts 2:36), “Son of God” (Mark 1:1), “Son of Man” (Matthew 24:30), “Savior” (Titus 1:4), “High Priest” (Hebrews 4:14), and “Word of God” (Revelation 19:13). Each title underscores a facet of His identity and mission.

Jesus and Joshua: Typological Links

Joshua’s conquest, covenant renewal, and distribution of inheritance prefigure Jesus’ decisive victory over sin, establishment of the new covenant, and granting of eternal inheritance (Hebrews 9:15).

Centrality in Scripture

“All the promises of God are ‘Yes’ in Him” (2 Corinthians 1:20). From Genesis prophecy to Revelation fulfillment, Scripture consistently directs faith, hope, and obedience to Jesus, the Alpha and the Omega (Revelation 22:13).