The name behind “Jesus”
Yeshua: a name carrying a mission
In the Jewish world of first-century Judea, he would have been known by the Hebrew-Aramaic name Yeshua, a shortened form related to Yehoshua—Joshua in English. The name is commonly understood to carry the sense that God saves. The New Testament was written in Greek, where the name appears as Iēsous; through Latin Iesus, English received “Jesus.”
Christ was not a family name. It is a title from Greek Christos, “Anointed One,” corresponding to “Messiah.” Matthew connects his given name directly with the mission to save.
Bible references: Matthew 1:21; Luke 1:31; John 1:41
Ransom and sacrifice
A life given for others
Jesus described his purpose as service: the Son of Man came “to give his life as a ransom for many.” A ransom is a price associated with release. The Christian Scriptures use that image alongside another—sacrifice—to explain his willing, self-giving death and the reconciliation it opens.
The Bible uses several connected pictures for what his death means. Christians differ in how they explain every detail of atonement, but the center remains the same: the gift is not taken from an unwilling victim. Jesus gives himself for others.
Ransom: Matthew 20:28; Mark 10:45; 1 Timothy 2:5–6
Sacrifice: Ephesians 5:2; Hebrews 9:26–28; 1 Corinthians 5:7
Adam and Jesus
From one human choice to another
Paul places Adam and Jesus side by side. Through Adam’s disobedience, sin and death enter the human story; through Jesus’ obedience, righteousness and life are offered. This is why the ransom story naturally follows the garden story: the first human failure is answered by faithful obedience.
Bible references: Romans 5:12–19; 1 Corinthians 15:21–22, 45
Three men • Three responses
A conversation at the edge of death
All four Gospels say two others were executed with Jesus. Only Luke preserves their exchange. One condemned man joins the insults and demands rescue. The other turns, acknowledges that they are receiving the result of their own actions, says Jesus has done nothing wrong, and asks to be remembered when Jesus comes into his Kingdom.
Jesus does not answer the man with a lecture or a list of achievements. He answers with a promise of Paradise. In the story’s darkest moment, accountability and mercy meet: one man sees only an escape route; the other sees a king and asks for remembrance.
“Remember me when you come into your Kingdom.”
The dialogue: Luke 23:32–43
The two men: Matthew 27:38; Mark 15:27; John 19:18
A translation note worth seeing
Where does the comma go?
The earliest Greek manuscripts did not place a modern comma in Luke 23:43. Translators therefore have to punctuate the sentence. Most English Bibles understand it as, “I tell you, today you will be with me in Paradise.” The New World Translation reads, “I tell you today, you will be with me in Paradise.”
The difference changes the proposed timing—not the fact that Jesus gives the man a promise of Paradise. The page leaves that interpretive question visible so the reader can examine the verse and its wider Biblical context.
What the scene can teach
Strength expressed through mercy
1Accountability can begin even at the end.
The second man does not excuse himself before asking for hope.
2Mercy is not limited by status.
A condemned person is still seen, heard, and answered.
3Power can look like self-giving.
Jesus’ strength is shown not by escaping suffering, but by remaining faithful and offering hope within it.
4One moment can reveal two directions.
The men share the same suffering, yet respond with contempt and humility.