The names of Jesus and their meanings
Scripture calls Jesus by many names, and each one tells us something about who he is and what he came to do — Saviour and Shepherd, the Lamb who was slain and the King who reigns, the light of the world and the bread of life.
Here are the great names and titles of Jesus, each with its meaning, the passage it comes from, and a short reflection — a way to know him more fully, one name at a time.
Alpha and Omega
Christ's name for himself in Revelation — the first and the last, who holds all history.
Bread of Life
Jesus as the true bread from heaven, who satisfies our deepest hunger.
Immanuel
The name of the promised child — God himself come to be with us.
King of Kings
Christ's title in Revelation — the King who reigns above every earthly power.
Lamb of God
John the Baptist's name for Jesus — the sacrifice who bears away the sin of the world.
Light of the World
Jesus as the light that scatters darkness and leads us to life.
Messiah (Christ)
The long-awaited Anointed One, promised through the ages and come at last in Jesus.
Prince of Peace
Isaiah's title for the coming King, whose reign of peace will never end.
Redeemer
The living Redeemer of Job's ancient hope — the one who ransoms and restores.
Son of God
The title declaring Jesus' unique, eternal relationship with the Father.
Son of Man
Jesus' favourite name for himself — fully human, yet the exalted one of Daniel's vision.
The Bright and Morning Star
Christ's final self-title in the Bible — the star that heralds daybreak.
The Good Shepherd
Jesus' own name for himself — the shepherd who knows his sheep and dies for them.
The Great High Priest
Jesus as the high priest who sympathises with our weakness and brings us to God.
The Lion of the Tribe of Judah
Christ's title in Revelation — the royal Lion who has triumphed.
The Resurrection and the Life
Jesus' words at Lazarus' tomb — the one who holds the keys to life beyond death.
The True Vine
Jesus as the vine we abide in — apart from whom we can do nothing.
The Way, the Truth, and the Life
Jesus' answer to Thomas — the way to God, the truth about God, and the life of God.
The Word (Logos)
John's name for Jesus — the eternal Word through whom all things were made.
Wonderful Counsellor
Isaiah's title for the child whose wisdom and counsel are beyond all others.
Knowing Jesus by his names
Many of the names of Jesus fulfil the names of God from the Hebrew Scriptures — the LORD our shepherd becomes the Good Shepherd, the LORD our peace becomes the Prince of Peace. In him, the God of the Old Testament draws near and puts on a human face.
You can also explore the names of God, read the Bible itself, or browse the most loved verses.