Was Jesus called “Yeshua Hamashiach” on Earth?

Jesus is the Messiah because the Bible testifies so (Matt. 16: 16-20). However, He was never called or accepted to be addressed by that title in His lifetime on Earth.

Whereas the name Jesus Christ is recurrent in the New Testament, the phrase “Ἰησοῦς ὁ χριστός” i.e. “Jesus the Christ” or in Hebrew “Yeshua Hamashiach” seems to appear only once in the New Testament–depending on which cordex you use. Some omit Jesus. “Then charged he his disciples that they should tell no man that he was Jesus the Christ (Mat 16:20 KJV). The New International Version reads, “Then he ordered his disciples not to tell anyone that he was the Messiah.” Jesus was careful to be addressed by the title “Mashiach” or “Christos” because this would have interferred with His ministry on Earth. He was most of the time known as Jesus, Rabbi, Master, etc. but never Yeshua Hamashiach. The Angel who came to Mary was precise about His name, “…you are to give him the name Jesus…” (Matt. 1: 21). It is therefore a misrepresentation to think that He was called “Yeshua Hamashiach” in His days on Earth. Nevertheless, all His followers came to perceived Him as the Messiah. The title became common after His death and resurrection and thus influenced the New Testament manuscripts.

When commenting on the English name for Jesus, Dr. Brown wrote: “Do not be ashamed to use the name JESUS! That is the proper way to say his name in English—just as Michael is the correct English way to say the Hebrew name mi-kha-el and Moses is the correct English way to say the Hebrew name mo-sheh. Pray in Jesus’ name, worship in Jesus’ name, and witness in Jesus’ name. And for those who want to relate to our Messiah’s Jewishness, then refer to him by His original name Yeshua—not Yahshua and not Yahushua—remembering that the power of the name is not in its pronunciation but in the person to whom it refers, our Lord and Redeemer and King.”¹

If you read your Bible with the right attitude of mind and heart, you’ll know the truth, and the truth shall set you free.