What does jesus mean?
Jesus is a proper noun referring to the central figure of Christianity, believed by Christians to be the Son of God and the savior of humanity. The life and teachings of Jesus are recorded in the New Testament and form the basis of Christian faith and practice. Jesus is also used as an exclamation to express surprise or shock, similar to phrases like 'good grief' or 'goodness gracious.' This usage is informal and often found in spoken language. The word has significant cultural and historical importance, extending far beyond its religious context.
proper nounJesus is the central figure of Christianity, believed by Christians to be the Son of God and the savior of humanity.
- The historical figure of Jesus of Nazareth
- A title or name used to express surprise or shock
"The life and teachings of Jesus are recorded in the New Testament."
"The teachings of Jesus emphasize love and forgiveness."
"Jesus, that's a lot of money!"
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of jesus
The name Jesus comes from the Greek name 'Iesous', which is derived from the Hebrew name 'Yeshua', meaning 'God is salvation'. The name has been used in various forms across different languages and cultures, often with significant religious and cultural connotations.
Usage notes
Often used as an exclamation to express surprise or shock, particularly in informal contexts.