Jesus

Pronunciation

• enPR: jÄ“'zÉ™s, IPA: /ˈdÊ’iːzÉ™s/

• enPR: hāsoÍžos', IPA: /heɪˈsus/

Origin

From Ancient Greek Ἰησοῦς, from Hebrew ישוע. The Greek text makes no distinction between Jesus and Joshua, referring to them both as Ἰησοῦς. The Latin Vulgate is likely the earliest to make a distinction, referring to Jesus as Iesus and Joshua as Iosue.

Proper noun

1. Jesus of Nazareth, a Jewish man whom many Christians consider the son of God and call Jesus Christ in belief that he is the Messiah, and whom Muslims believe to be a prophet.
2. in Spanish culture; an anglicized spelling of Jesús.
• 1971 Ruth Rendell, No More Dying Then, Random House (2009), ISBN 9780099534853, page 195:Frensham opened the door and called a name that sounded like 'Haysus'. Brandy was brought and various other bottles and decanters. When the manservant had gone, Frensham said, 'Odd, aren't they, the Spanish? Calling a boy Jesus.'

Coordinate terms

• (religious founder) Muhammad, Buddha, Zoroaster, Rishabha, Baha'ullah, Moses, Raël, Confucius
• (deity) Allah, Vishnu, Ahura Mazda, Ra, Waheguru, Sage, Odin, Zeus, Jah

Derived terms

Usage notes

The possessive of the Jesus may be either Jesus’s (pronounced with three syllables) or Jesus’ (pronounced with two syllables). The latter form was traditionally more common when referred to the Christian figure while the former is more common when referring to other people named Jesus, but both forms are attested in both cases. See s'.

Full definition of Jesus

Noun

1. A Christian savior.
• William Revell Moody (ed.), "Record of Christian Work", 1913, p 441And, says George Eliot, and all who believe in her teaching, it is perfectly true that He is with us now in a dumb, vague, blessed impulse. Is that your Jesus? If I may recall my illustration of the train, I will tell you of my Jesus.
• Scot McKnight, "Jesus and His Death", 2005, p152...leading Dom Crossan at times to the witty criticism that modern Jesus books are in a quest for who can say "my Jesus is more Jewish than your Jesus"...
• Clinton Bennett, "In Search of Jesus", 2001, p231Your Jesus is my Jesus' greatest enemy
• Depeche Mode, "Personal Jesus", from the album "Violator", 1989.Your own personal Jesus
2. An artistic representation of a Christian savior.

Interjection

1. An expletive, the use of which is considered blasphemous among some Christians.Jesus, that was close!

Synonyms

Related terms

• Joshua