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The most significant person in history was Jesus of Nazareth, also recognized as Jesus Christ.  Do you know the etymology (word origin) of the name "Jesus"?

The most significant person in history was Jesus of Nazareth, also recognized as Jesus Christ.  Do you know the etymology (word origin) of the name "Jesus"?

In the Greek the name for Jesus is spelled Ἰησοῦν (pronounced as ("I-ee-sous"):<ref>http://www.blueletterbible.org/Bible.cfm?b=Mat&c=1&v=21&t=KJV#vrsn/21</ref>

In the Greek the name for Jesus is spelled Ἰησοῦν (pronounced as ("I-ee-sous"), as in this passage naming Jesus in the Gospel of Matthew:<ref>http://www.blueletterbible.org/Bible.cfm?b=Mat&c=1&v=21&t=KJV#vrsn/21</ref>

:τέξεται δὲ υἱὸν, καὶ καλέσεις τὸ ὄνομα αὐτοῦ '''Ἰησοῦν''' αὐτὸς γὰρ σώσει τὸν λαὸν αὑτοῦ ἀπὸ τῶν ἁμαρτιῶν αὐτῶν

:τέξεται δὲ υἱὸν, καὶ καλέσεις τὸ ὄνομα αὐτοῦ '''Ἰησοῦν''' αὐτὸς γὰρ σώσει τὸν λαὸν αὑτοῦ ἀπὸ τῶν ἁμαρτιῶν αὐτῶν

which the NIV version translates as:<ref>Matt 1:21.</ref>

which the NIV version of the Bible translates as:<ref>Matt 1:21.</ref>

:She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name '''Jesus''',* because he will save his people from their sins.

:She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name '''Jesus''',* because he will save his people from their sins.

The footnote for "Jesus" (*) in the NIV translation explains, "Jesus is the Greek form of Joshua, which means the Lord saves."

The footnote for "Jesus" (*) in the NIV translation explains, "Jesus is the Greek form of Joshua, which means the Lord saves."

The ancient Greek, Hebrew and Latin all lacked the modern English letter "J", and the etymology of the name "Jesus" is available.  The Hebrew initially spelled Jesus as "Yeshua" and "y'hoshua", using two different spellings because of the tradition against pronouncing "the sacred part of Yahweh's name, so they changed the 'Yah, to 'Yeh."<ref>http://www.plim.org/JesusOrigin.htm</ref>

The ancient Greek, Hebrew and Latin all lacked the modern English letter "J".  The Hebrew initially spelled Jesus as "Yeshua" and "y'hoshua", using two different spellings because of the tradition against pronouncing "the sacred part of Yahweh's name, so they changed the 'Yah', to 'Yeh'."<ref>http://www.plim.org/JesusOrigin.htm</ref>

The ancient world had several founders of great religions, but only one performed miracles:  Jesus of Nazareth.  His resurrection is the single greatest event in the history of the world.  Do we know when it occurred?

The ancient world had several founders of great religions, but only one performed miracles:  Jesus of Nazareth.  His resurrection is the single greatest event in the history of the world.  Do we know when it occurred?

It is easy to calculate the date of His crucifixion because we know it was during the reign of Pontius Pilate, who served from A.D. 26 to 36, thereby encompassing the entire period of ministry of John the Baptist and Jesus himself.  A Roman historian named Philo described Pilate as inflexible, obstinate and merciless, and Pilate was hated by the Jewish people under his rule.  The Gospels describe the savage retaliation by Pilate against Galileans as follows:  “Now on the same occasion there were some present who reported to Him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mixed with their sacrifices.” Luke 13:1 (NAS).  Eventually the Romans removed Pilate from power for being too cruel.

It is easy to calculate the date of His crucifixion because we know it was during the reign of Pontius Pilate, who served from A.D. 26 to 36, thereby encompassing the entire period of ministry of John the Baptist and Jesus himself.  A Roman historian named Philo described Pilate as inflexible, obstinate and merciless, and Pilate was hated by the Jewish people under his rule.  The Gospels describe the savage retaliation by Pilate against Galileans as follows:  "Now on the same occasion there were some present who reported to Him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mixed with their sacrifices." Luke 13:1 (NAS).  Eventually even the Romans removed Pilate from power for being too cruel!

A detailed analysis of the Gospel and historical sources places the date of the Crucifixion at Friday, April 3, A.D. 33, although some historians think it occurred in A.D. 29.<ref>http://www.themoorings.org/apologetics/69weeks/weeks4.html</ref>

A detailed analysis of the Gospel and historical sources places the date of the Crucifixion at Friday, April 3, A.D. 33, although some historians think it occurred in A.D. 29.<ref>http://www.themoorings.org/apologetics/69weeks/weeks4.html</ref>

From these dates come the traditional view that Jesus was 33 years old when He rose from the dead.  However, the Gospels do not specify His age and it is not clear exactly when Jesus was born.  We do know from the Gospels that He was less than 50.  Many historians place his birth between 6 and 4 B.C.  The description of Jesus’ birth in the Gospel of Luke refers to King Herod, whose brutal reign was from 37 to 4 B.C.

From these dates come the traditional view that Jesus was 33 years old when He rose from the dead.  However, the Gospels do not specify His age and it is not entirely clear precisely when Jesus was born.  We do know from the Gospels that He was less than 50.  Many historians place his birth between 6 and 4 B.C.  The description of Jesus' birth in the Gospel of Luke refers to King Herod, whose brutal reign was from 37 to 4 B.C.

Here is where a slight mistake in the dating of our calendar from Christ’s birth may have been introduced. In the sixth century A.D., the Roman monk Dionysis the Little changed the calendar to recognize the birth of Christ.  He calculated that Jesus was born the year that King Herod died, and modern historians agree.  However, the monk thought that Herod died 753 years after the founding of Rome, instead of the correct 749 years after the founding of Rome.  (King Herod is the ruler who ordered all babies in Bethlehem younger than 2 to be killed in his unsuccessful attempt to murder Jesus, whose family fled to Egypt to escape this.) Thus the monk estimated that Jesus was born four years later than He probably was.  What was intended to be A.D. 1 was actually 4 B.C.  Note that there is no year “0”, as the concept of “0” was unknown to the Greeks and not even discovered until the seventh century by mathematicians in India.  The year that follows 1 B.C. is A.D. 1.

'''Modern controversy:''' Jesus's hometown of Nazareth is now mostly Muslim, and modern controversy exists about plans to build a mosque adjacent to the place where the angel Gabriel greeted the Virgin Mary.  Muslims, their holy scriptures the Qur'an, honor Mary.  This type of modern dispute is common today at holy places in the region of Palestine.

The teachings of Jesus are well-known to all of us, and were recorded in the Gospels (Greek for “good news”) by two of His apostles (Matthew and John) and two disciples (Mark and Luke). The Gospels were originally written in Greek, the common lingua franca (common or commercial language among diverse peoples) of the Roman Orient.  No original Gospels have been found in Aramaic; the only discovered Aramaic Gospels are translations from Greek versions.  The general consensus is that the Gospel according to Matthew was written particularly for Jews; the Gospel according to Mark was written particularly for Romans; the Gospel according to Luke was written particularly for Greeks; and the Gospel according to John was written for everyone.  Jesus had emphasized that scribes were part of those He sent forth to proselytize the world.  “I am sending you prophets and wise men and scribes ….”  (Matt 23:34 (NAS)).

The dating of our calendar from Christ's birth was victimized by a monk's error in the sixth century A.D., when the Roman monk Dionysis the Little changed the calendar to recognize the birth of Christ.  He calculated that Jesus was born the year that King Herod died, and modern historians agree.  However, the monk thought that Herod died 753 years after the founding of Rome, instead of the correct 749 years after the founding of Rome.  (King Herod is the ruler who ordered all babies in Bethlehem younger than 2 to be killed in his unsuccessful attempt to murder Jesus, whose family fled to Egypt to escape this.) Thus the monk estimated that Jesus was born four years later than He probably was.  What was intended to be A.D. 1 was actually 4 B.C.  Note that there is no year "0", as the concept of "0" was unknown to the Greeks and not even discovered until the seventh century by mathematicians in India.  The year that followed 1 B.C. is A.D. 1.

Luke was a Greek physician (see Col 4:14) who accompanied Paul and also wrote the Acts of the Apostles describing the arrival of the Holy Spirit.  Unlike the firsthand Gospels of Matthew and John, the Gospel of Luke records eyewitness accounts of others, much as a doctor asks a patient for his medical history and then writes it down in the medical file.  Due to Luke’s professional nature, his Gospel is very comprehensive about Jesus’ life and resurrection, and it also conveys the great sense of joy that Jesus’ family, friends and followers felt.  In the Battle of the Bulge in World War II (the surprise Nazi counterattack in Dec. 1944), which was one of the worst military defeats in American history, a minister’s son who had memorized Luke’s description of the Nativity recited it for his fellow soldiers on Christmas Eve while together in the trenches.  Many of them died soon afterward in battle.

The teachings of Jesus are well-known to all of us, and were recorded in the Gospels (Greek for “good news”) by two of His apostles (Matthew and John) and two disciples (Mark and Luke). The oldest versions of the Gospels are in Greek, the common lingua franca (common or commercial language among diverse peoples) of the Roman Orient.  No original Gospels have been found in Aramaic; the only discovered Aramaic Gospels are translations from Greek versions.  The general consensus is that the Gospel according to Matthew was written particularly for Jews; the Gospel according to Mark was written particularly for Romans; the Gospel according to Luke was written particularly for Greeks; and the Gospel according to John was written for everyone.  Matthew and John were part of Jesus's original Apostles, and Mark is thought to have been a scribe for the Apostle Peter.  Jesus had emphasized that scribes were part of those He sent forth to proselytize the world.  "I am sending you prophets and wise men and scribes ....”<ref>Matt 23:34 (NAS).</ref>

The greatest writing in the history of the world is the Gospel of John, the Apostle whom Jesus loved the most.  John likely revised and perfected this Gospel for decades before releasing it to others.  As was typical for many of the greatest authors in history, such as Copernicus, John’s work was probably not released to the public until he passed away.  Isaac Newton, to take another example, delayed publication of his great mathematical discoveries for decades.  As long as something can be improved and developed further, there may not be any reason to publish it prematurely.

Luke was a Greek physician (see Col 4:14) who accompanied Paul and also wrote the Acts of the Apostles describing the arrival of the Holy Spirit.  Unlike the firsthand Gospels of Matthew and John, the Gospel of Luke records eyewitness accounts of others, much as a doctor asks a patient for his medical history and then writes it down in the medical file.  Due to Luke's professional nature, his Gospel is very comprehensive about Jesus's life and resurrection, and it also conveys the great sense of joy that Jesus's family, friends and followers felt.  In the Battle of the Bulge in World War II (the surprise Nazi counterattack in Dec. 1944), which was one of the worst military defeats in American history, a minister's son who had memorized Luke’s description of the Nativity recited it for his fellow soldiers on Christmas Eve while together in the trenches.  Many of them died soon afterward in battle.

American soldiers in World Wars I and II would carry copies of the Gospel of John with them as they journeyed to faraway battles.  This single book has done more to shape human thought and behavior than any other work.  Our uniquely American First Amendment right of free speech is based on ministers preaching of the “Word” of God as described in the first few verses of the Gospel of John.

The greatest writing in the history of the world is the Gospel of John, the Apostle whom Jesus loved the most.  John likely revised and perfected this Gospel for decades before releasing it to others.  As was typical for many of the greatest authors in history, such as Copernicus, John's work was probably not released to the public until he passed away.  Isaac Newton, to take another example, delayed publication of his great mathematical discoveries for decades.  As long as something can be improved and developed further, there is no reason to publish it prematurely, which would confuse people with multiple versions.

Archaeological discoveries in Jerusalem confirm, to the dismay of skeptics, many references in the Gospels about Jesus’ work.  The Pool of Bethesda has been discovered (John 5:1f).  The Pavement has been found (John 19:13).  The setting of Jacob’s well has been discovered (John 4).  Because Jerusalem was destroyed by the Romans in A.D. 70 (see discussion below), it would have been impossible for a writer after A.D. 70 to make up any of these details.  

American soldiers in World Wars I and II would carry copies of the Gospel of John with them as they journeyed to faraway battles.  This single book has done more to shape human thought and behavior than any other work.  Our uniquely American First Amendment right of free speech is based on ministers preaching of the "Word" of God as described in the first few verses of the Gospel of John.

Paul of Taurus (now southern Turkey) was Jewish and converted to Christianity within a year or two of the Crucifixion while on the road to Damascus (now located in Syria), and afterwards spread the Good News far and wide within the Roman empire.  He was both a prolific writer and scholar, and a prodigious missionary who traveled on three great missions throughout the Roman empire before being executed by a beheading in Rome in A.D. 62 (as a Roman citizen, Paul could not be scourged or crucified).  Several of Paul’s letters are included in the New Testament, and often quoted to this day.  (For example, in Paul’s letter to the Romans, he condemns homosexuality. Romans 1:27.)  Peter, who was not a Roman citizen, likewise spread the faith before being crucified in Rome, by his choice upside down out of the utmost respect to Jesus’ own Crucifixion.

 

Paul of Taurus (now southern Turkey) was Jewish and converted to Christianity within a year or two of the Crucifixion while on the road to Damascus (now located in Syria), and afterward spread the Good News far and wide within the Roman empire.  He was both a prolific writer and scholar, and a prodigious missionary who traveled on three great missions throughout the Roman empire before being executed by a beheading in Rome in A.D. 62 (as a Roman citizen, Paul could not be scourged or crucified).  Several of Paul's letters are included in the New Testament, and often quoted to this day.  (For example, in Paul's letter to the Romans, he condemns homosexuality.<ref>Romans 1:27.</ref>)  Peter, who was not a Roman citizen, likewise spread the faith before being crucified in Rome, by his choice upside down out of the utmost respect to Jesus's own Crucifixion.

Many misconceptions about early Christians persist to this day.  Americans are often taught that all the disciples were ignorant fishermen who could not read or write.  This is plainly false, as several communicated by letter while held in jail by Roman authorities.  Many of the insights and truths revealed in the Gospels by the Apostles could only have been understood and taught by people of tremendous intelligence and faith.

Many misconceptions about early Christians persist to this day.  Americans are often taught that all the disciples were ignorant fishermen who could not read or write.  This is plainly false, as several communicated by letter while held in jail by Roman authorities.  Many of the insights and truths revealed in the Gospels by the Apostles could only have been understood and taught by people of tremendous intelligence and faith.

Christianity was taken by the early Christians as far and wide as possible.  The religious celebrations consisted of a communal meal, called “communion” today but given the Greek name for “love feat” then:  “agape”.  This reenacted the Last Supper of Christ as described in the Gospels.  The concept of Christian love had a profound effect on the world and forever changed it for the better.

Christianity was taken by the early Christians as far and wide as possible.  The religious celebrations consisted of a communal meal, called "communion" today but given the Greek name for "love feat" then:  "agape".  This reenacted the Last Supper of Christ as described in the Gospels.  The concept of Christian love had a profound effect on the world and forever changed it for the better.

Mark founded a church in Egypt under the reign of the Roman emperor Nero, first converting Alexandrian Jews such as Theophilus and also converting many native Egyptians who were neither Greek nor Jewish.  It was for Theophilus and the Egyptian community that Luke wrote his Gospel and Acts of the Apostles, addressing Theophilus in the beginning of each. Luke 1:3 and Acts 1:1.  The local language in Egypt was Coptic, and translations of the Gospels into that language have been discovered which date from the first half of the second century.  Coptic Christianity remains in Egypt to this day, although Islam has become the most popular religion there.  Some cite the acceptance of Arabic as a liturgical language by the Pope of Alexandria as aiding the rise to dominance of Islam there.  Coptic Christians celebrate Christmas each year on January 7th, which is a national holiday in Egypt.

Mark founded a church in Egypt under the reign of the Roman emperor Nero, first converting Alexandrian Jews such as Theophilus and also converting many native Egyptians who were neither Greek nor Jewish.  It was for Theophilus and the Egyptian community that Luke wrote his Gospel and Acts of the Apostles, addressing Theophilus in the beginning of each.<ref>See Luke 1:3 and Acts 1:1.</ref> The local language in Egypt was Coptic, and translations of the Gospels into that language have been discovered which date from the first half of the second century.  Coptic Christianity remains in Egypt to this day, although Islam has become the most popular religion there.  Some cite the acceptance of Arabic as a liturgical language by the Pope of Alexandria as aiding the rise to dominance of Islam there.  Coptic Christians celebrate Christmas each year on January 7th, which is a national holiday in Egypt.

The Apostle Thomas, known as the “Doubting Thomas” traveled as far as India and established a Christian community that remains there to this day, although the country is still majority Hindu.   

The Apostle Thomas, known as the "Doubting Thomas" traveled as far as India and established a Christian community that remains there to this day, although the country is still majority Hindu.   

Christianity differs from other major religions in its peaceful evangelism, spreading its truths through freedom of speech.  Christianity is unlike religions that lack an evangelical component, such as Judaism and Hinduism, and Christianity also differs from Islam in the manner in which force is used.

Christianity differs from other major religions in its peaceful evangelism, spreading its truths through freedom of speech.  Christianity is unlike religions that lack an evangelical component, such as Judaism and Hinduism, and Christianity also differs from Islam in the manner in which force is used.