The Names Jesus, John and the Seven Mary’s
With there being 1993 years passing since the crucifixion and now over 100 English translations of the bible getting clear on the definitions of language and their origin is key.
John refers to God as The Word and when we use The Word incorrectly we turn God into death so getting to the source of these words is key. Jesus, John and Mary did not originate in English, and what we call them today often hides the depth of who they truly were and are.
In the days of Jesus, words were vessels of meaning, vibration, and calling. They meant everything. And what we have turned these names into has stripped the original meaning.
Understanding their original names is not about becoming legalistic or academic, it’s about restoring humanity to the harmonics of God.
When the world says “Jesus” they are speaking a devolved translation of The Word Yehoshua (in Hebrew) and Yeshua (in Aremaic), which invoked “YHWH is Salvation”.
When we say Yochanan (John), we invoke “YHWH is gracious,” the prophetic witness.
And when we honor Miryam (Mary), we are not simply naming a woman, and acknowledging the bitterness turned into glory, the womb that held the divine mystery.
While God is beyond any word or form, we collectively spend unending hours on putting God into word and form. And with God being The Word, it feels important to be clear the words we use are in harmonics with The Word.
The Origin of The Name of Jesus
Hebrew: Yehoshua (יְהוֹשֻׁעַ)
Pronounced: Yeh-ho-shu-a
Meaning: “Yahweh is salvation”
This is the full, original Hebrew form — the same name as Joshua, son of Nun.
Aramaic: Yeshua (ܝܫܘܥ in Syriac Aramaic)
Pronounced: Ye-SHOO-ah
Meaning: Shortened form of Yehoshua — still means “Yahweh saves”
This was the spoken language of Yeshua, so it would likely be the name His mother, disciples, and community.
Greek: Iēsous (Ἰησοῦς)
Pronounced: Yay-SOOS
A transliteration of Yeshua into Greek — it had to conform to Greek grammar, the language of the New Testament — hence the “-s” ending.
Latin: Iesus
Pronounced: Yay-soos (early Latin)
Post-15th Century it becomes Jee-sus and is the bridge into the English form.
English: Jesus
Pronounced: JEE-zus
Modern rendering based on Latin and Greek transliterations, not the original pronunciation. This name is now what is used as a curse word by the world and commonly used in media programming as common curse word.
So What Does “Jesus” Actually Mean?
It means what His original name meant: Yahweh saves. Yahweh is deliverance. Salvation embodied.
He is the fulfillment of His name. He doesn’t just carry the meaning — He is the meaning. His name is and was His mission: to save, to deliver, to restore
As Matthew 1:21 says: “You shall call His name Yeshua, for He shall save His people from their sins.”
Pseudo-Hebrew wordplay tries to claim Jesus means “Zeus” (a greek god) or “sus” (Latin for pig) and anti-Christian rhetoric from some sects claiming the name “Jesus” is pagan or corrupted. It is the evolved name from Latin into English and has devolved from divine frequency into a common curse word.
Jesus Christ The Curse Word
A "curse word" is not the same as a "curse." and they are spiritually connected.
A "curse word" is a term used to describe profanity, vulgarity, or blasphemous speech. It may include swearing, crude expressions, or using sacred names (like "Jesus Christ" or "God") in irreverent ways. Common usage today often treats it casually and spiritually, it's not neutral.
A Curse (Spoken Curse) is the act of invoking harm, judgment, or negative power through words. Biblically and spiritually, a curse is a spoken form of intention — it creates, binds, or tears down.
"Death and life are in the power of the tongue" - Proverbs 18:21:
Using the name of God or Christ as a curse word (in vain) is still a form of cursing as it misuses holy power, invoking the sacred without reverence and misalignment with divine energy.
“You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain…” – Exodus 20:7
Listening to profanity — especially the misuse of sacred names like “Jesus Christ” — without resistance is not neutral.
Energetically, agreement is not just what you say, it’s what you accept and allow.
When you passively absorb blasphemy, laugh at it, or remain silent in its presence, you enter into silent consent.
And in the eyes of Heaven, agreement with dishonor is dishonor.
To hear the holy name defiled and do nothing is to partake in the defilement.
Silence is not always humility — sometimes it is complicity.
The Last Name Of Jesus
Yeshua had no “last name” in the way we think of it today and what He was called matters deeply and most translations strip it of its full meaning.
He would have been called:
By Position: Yeshua ben Yosef – “Yeshua, son of Joseph” - “being (as was supposed) the son of Joseph” - Luke 3:23
By Location: Yeshua HaNotzri – “Yeshua of Nazareth” - “He shall be called a Nazarene” - Matthew 2:23
By Prophecy: Yeshua HaMashiach – “Yeshua the Messiah” - “We have found the Messiah…” - John 1:41:
Most English Bibles simply say “Jesus Christ”, treating “Christ” like a surname.:
“Jesus” is the Anglicized version of Yeshua (יהושע), meaning “Yahweh saves.”
“Christ” is from the Greek Christos, which means “Anointed One” — translating the Hebrew Mashiach (Messiah).
So when we say “Jesus Christ,” we’re really saying: “Yeshua, the Anointed One of God.”
And that sacred title has been flattened — “Christ” turned into a label, not a living revelation.
This matters as removing the full form erases lineage, culture, fulfillment of prophecy, and the deep meanings His name carried:
Ben Yosef ties Him to the earthly lineage — the house of David.
HaNotzri fulfills messianic prophecy – Netzer, branch - Isaiah 11:1
HaMashiach declares His divine identity.
Modern translations stripped it all away, leaving us with “Jesus” striped of the root, reality, and resonance and divine potenency and power of The Name above all names.
The Origin of The Name of John
Hebrew: Yochanan (יוֹחָנָן)
Pronounced: Yo-kha-NAHN
Meaning: Yahweh is gracious
This is the full, original Hebrew form — the same name as Joshua, son of Nun.
Aramaic: Yokhanan (ܝܘܚܢܢ)
Pronounced: Yo-kha-nan
Meaning: Grace of God
Greek: Ἰωάννης (Iōannēs)
Pronounced: Yo-AN-nays
English: John
Pronounced: JAHN
Modern translation
There are three Yochanan’s in the bible:
John the Baptist - Yochanan the Immerser — Yochanan HaMatbil (Hebrew)
John the Apostle (Yochanan the Beloved)
John Mark (Mark the Evangelist)
John the Baptist (Yochanan the Immerser) (Yochanan HaMatbil)
“John the Baptist” is a later English rendering and the more faithful and Hebraic title would be: John the Immerser and Yochanan HaMatbil in Hebrew.
HaMatbil (הַמַּטְבִּיל) is a Hebrew title meaning “the Immerser.” It comes from the root verb טָבַל (taval) — which means to dip, immerse, or submerge in liquid, typically water. The “Ha” is the definite article — “the.” So:
Yochanan HaMatbil (יוֹחָנָן הַמַּטְבִּיל) = John the Immerser
The word “baptize” comes from the Greek baptizō, which literally means: “to immerse,” “to submerge,” “to plunge under water.” John the Immerser honors his true function and not creating a denomination (“Baptist”) and immersing souls into repentance, preparing hearts for the arrival of the Messiah.
Role: Prophet, Forerunner of the Messiah
Mission: Prepare the way for Yeshua (Jesus) through repentance and baptism.
Key Verse: “I baptize you with water... but He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.” — Matthew 3:11
Writings: None
Spirit: Carries the mantle of Elijah (Luke 1:17).
End: Beheaded by Herod for confronting sin and speaking truth to power.
Essence: Voice crying in the wilderness, pure fire of repentance.
John the Apostle (Yochanan the Beloved) (John at The Cross)
Role: Disciple, Evangelist, Revelator. Also entrusted with Yeshua’s mother at the cross.
Mission: Bear witness to the life, divinity, and love of Jesus.
Key Verse: “The disciple whom Jesus loved…” — John 13:23
Writings: Gospel of John, 1-3 John, and Revelation.
Spirit: Deep intimacy, revelation of divine love, vision of eternity.
End: Only apostle not martyred; exiled to Patmos.
Essence: Heart of union, seer of Heaven, apostle of pure love.
John Mark (Yochanan Marcus)
Role: Evangelist, Scribe of the Gospel, Bridge Between Apostles. Sometimes just called Mark, and also referred to as John, called Mark.
Mission: To document and carry the testimony of Yeshua through the early church, preserving the firsthand accounts of Peter and spreading the gospel among the Gentiles. Companion of Paul and Barnabas (Acts 12:25; 13:5).
Key Verse: “And Barnabas and Saul returned from Jerusalem when they had fulfilled their ministry, and took with them John, whose surname was Mark.” — Acts 12:25
Writings: Likely author of the Gospel of Mark
Spirit: Carries the heart of the recorder — the humble transmitter of divine memory. His life reflects redemption, restoration, and the power of unfinished stories coming full circle.
End: Not martyred. Historically believed to have reconciled with Paul and served as a trusted companion and gospel author. Traditionally associated with founding the church in Alexandria.
Essence: The one who fell, returned, and wrote the roar of the Lion. Gospel scribe. Quiet strength. Redemptive bridge.
The Six, Possibly Seven Mary’s
There are seven Marys in the New Testament. The name “Mary” (Greek: Maria or Mariam, Hebrew: Miryam) was extremely common and each one carries a distinct role and revelation.
Mary, Mother of Yeshua (Miryam bat Yoachim)
The name Miryam bat Yoachim means "Mary, daughter of Joachim" — and it can be expressed in both Hebrew and Aramaic with slight differences in pronunciation and script, but the meaning remains the same.
Hebrew: Miryam (מִרְיָם) Yoachim or Yokhim (מִרְיָם בַּת יוֹכִים)
Miryam (מִרְיָם) – Mary
Bat (בַּת) – Daughter of
Yoachim (יוֹכִים) – Joachim (a Hebrew name meaning "Yahweh raises up")
Aramaic: Maryam barṯ Yowakhim (ܡܪܝܡ ܒܪܬ ܝܘܐܟܝܡ)
Maryam (ܡܪܝܡ) – Mary
Barṯ (ܒܪܬ) – Daughter of (feminine form of “bar”)
Yowakhim (ܝܘܐܟܝܡ) – Joachim
Calling her Miryam bat Yoachim restores her Jewish heritage, Hebraic lineage, and divine identity as part of the prophetic fulfillment. She was not a generic “Mary” — she was the vessel of the Word, deeply rooted in Israel’s priestly and prophetic bloodline. Her name likely meaning “beloved” or “bitterness turned beloved”
She embodied surrender, incarnation, maternal intercession, the womb of God’s promisew and was a teen virgin in Nazareth when visited by Gabriel and said “Let it be to me according to your word” — profound surrender. She carried, birthed, and raised the Messiah and was present at the first miracle (Cana) and at the crucifixion and entrusted to John at the Cross by her son Yeshua. (John 19:26–27)
Mary Magdalene (Miryam HaMagdalit)
“Magdalene” is not a surname — it means she was from Magdala, a town on the western shore of the Sea of Galilee. In Hebrew, her name literally means: “Mary of Magdala” or “Mary the Magdalene.” In Aramaic, the title Magdalyta reflects her identity as a woman of stature — “tower” or “elevated one,” not just geography.
Hebrew: Miryam (מִרְיָם) HaMagdalit (הַמַּגְדָּלִית)
Miryam (מִרְיָם) – Mary
Ha (הַ) – The
Magdalit (מַּגְדָּלִית) – Of Magdala / Woman from Magdala
Aramaic: Maryam Magdalyta (ܡܪܝܡ ܡܓܕܠܝܬܐ)
Maryam (ܡܪܝܡ) – Mary
Magdalyta (ܡܓܕܠܝܬܐ) – Of Magdala (feminine form, Aramaic)
She embodied devotion, witness, intimacy, firstborn of resurrection revelation. She is often erased, distorted, or confused with a prostitute which is not biblically supported and was delivered by Yeshua from 7 demons (Luke 8:2). She traveled with Jesus, helped support His ministry financially and was present at the crucifixion, burial, and the first to witness the resurrection. She was called by name at the tomb: “Mary!” — to which she responds “Rabboni!” (John 20:16). Commissioned by Yeshua to go and tell the disciples He had risen — making her the apostle to the apostles.
Mary of Bethany (Miryam miBeit-Einya or Beit-Anyah)
Bethany (Beit-Anyah) was a village near Jerusalem. Mary of Bethany was the sister of Martha and Lazarus, known for sitting at Yeshua’s feet, anointing Him, and demonstrating deep devotion.
Hebrew: Miryam miBeit-Einya or Beit-Anyah (מִרְיָם מִבֵּית-אֵנִיָה)
Miryam (מִרְיָם) – Mary
Mi (מִ) – From
Beit-Anyah (בֵּית-אֵנִיָה) – Bethany (House of the Poor / Afflicted / Humility)
Aramaic: Maryam men Beit-‘Anya (ܡܪܝܡ ܡܢ ܒܝܬ ܥܢܝܐ)
Maryam (ܡܪܝܡ) – Mary
Men (ܡܢ) – From
Beit-‘Anya (ܒܝܬ ܥܢܝܐ) – Bethany (Aramaic: House of Affliction / Response)
Mary of Bethany embodied extravagant love, spiritual perception, prophetic honor. She was a devoted listener and worshiper. he embodiment of intimacy over duty as she sat at Yeshua’s feed while her sister Martha served (Luke 10:39-42). She was the anointed Yeshua’s feet with expensive perfume and wiped them with her hair (John 12:3) which wasa prophetic preparation for His burial and prefigures the bridal devotion of the end-time remnant. She was defended by Yeshua: “She has done a beautiful thing to me.”
Mary, Mother of James and Joses or Joseph (Miryam em Ya’akov v’Yosei)
Mary, mother of James and Joses or Joseph, is possibly also Mary of Clopas and is likely related to Mary, the mother of Yeshua, and if not possibly a sister or close kin, making her part of the inner circle of covenantal lineage.
Most scholars believe yes, Mary of Clopas is the same woman as Mary, mother of James and Joses. "Clopas" may refer to her husband, making "Mary of Clopas" mean “Mary, wife of Clopas.” Clopas (Greek: Κλωπᾶς) may be a Hellenized form of the Hebrew name Halfi (חַלְפַּי) — also rendered as Cleophas.
Hebrew: Miryam em Ya’akov v’Yosei (מִרְיָם אֵם יַעֲקֹב וְיוֹסֵי)
Miryam (מִרְיָם) – Mary
Em (אֵם) – Mother of
Ya’akov (יַעֲקֹב) – James
Yosei (יוֹסֵי) – Joses or Joseph (a shortened variant of Yosef)
If referring to her husband: Mary, wife of Clopas - Miryam eshet Clopas (מִרְיָם אֵשֶׁת קְלוֹפָס)
Aramaic: Maryam em Yaqub w-Yosa (ܡܪܝܡ ܐܡ ܝܥܩܘܒ ܘܝܘܣܐ)
Maryam (ܡܪܝܡ) – Mary
Em (ܐܡ) – Mother of
Yaqub (ܝܥܩܘܒ) – James
Yosa (ܝܘܣܐ) – Joses (Aramaic variation of Joseph)
Mary, Mother of James and Joses or Joseph embodied faithful witness, quiet devotion, steadfast presence and is often overshadowed by the other Marys. She followed Yeshua to the cross (Matt 27:56), prepared spices for His burial (Mark 16:1), and represents the hidden yet unwavering devotion of the women who did not flee. She was one of the women who came to the tomb
“Among them were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James and Joseph, and the mother of Zebedee’s sons.” — Matthew 27:56
“Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of James were watching where he was laid.” — Mark 15:47
“Now there stood by the cross of Jesus his mother, and his mother’s sister, Mary of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene.” — John 19:25
Mary of Clopas (Miryam eshet Clopas)
Mary, wife of Clopas - Miryam eshet Clopas (מִרְיָם אֵשֶׁת קְלוֹפָס)
If she is not the same as #4, then she is a distinct fifth Mary mentioned in John 19:25: “Now there stood by the cross of Jesus His mother, and His mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas…” She had kinship with the Messiah, crucifixion witness, unshaken loyalty. Since Yeshua called her “mother’s sister,” this means she is most likely his sister-in-law or close kin
Mary, Mother of John Mark - (Miryam Em Yochanan-Markus)
Mary, the mother of John Mark, was a faithful believer in the early church whose home served as a meeting place for the disciples during times of persecution. She is mentioned in the Book of Acts as a woman of provision, courage, and quiet authority — likely a spiritual mother in the early Messianic movement. Though her role is brief in the text, her home became a sanctuary for the apostles, and her son, John Mark, became a gospel writer and missionary companion to Paul and Barnabas.
Hebrew: Miryam Em Yochanan Markus (מִרְיָם אֵם יוֹחָנָן מַרְקוּס)
Miryam (מִרְיָם) – Mary
Em (אֵם) – Mother of
Yochanan (יוֹחָנָן) – John (“Yahweh is gracious”)
Markus (מַרְקוּס) – Mark (Hellenized name, likely of Latin origin)
Aramaic: Maryam Em Yochanan Marqos (ܡܪܝܡ ܐܡ ܝܘܚܢܢ ܡܪܩܘܣ)
Maryam (ܡܪܝܡ) – Mary
Em (ܐܡ) – Mother of
Yochanan (ܝܘܚܢܢ) – John
Marqos (ܡܪܩܘܣ) – Mark
Mary, mother of John Mark, embodied hospitality, spiritual support, early church motherhood and hidden strength. Her house became a place of refuge and intercession (Acts 12:12), a foundation for early believers during intense persecution. Though not named among the apostles, she made space for the move of God — a woman whose legacy lived through her son and whose home hosted the unfolding gospel. She represents the quiet matriarchal force that undergirds Kingdom work with stability, devotion, and faith-filled risk.
Mary of Rome (Miryam shel Romi)
Mary of Rome is briefly mentioned by Paul in his letter to the believers in Rome. Though only one verse speaks of her, it is packed with meaning: she is honored for her labor, likely in service, hospitality, intercession, or leadership within the early church. Her inclusion in Paul’s personal greetings reveals her as a trusted and visible figure in the Roman community of faith — a woman known not for title, and for tireless devotion to the Body of Messiah.
Hebrew: Miryam shel Romi (מִרְיָם שֶׁל רוֹמִי)
Miryam (מִרְיָם) – Mary
Shel (שֶׁל) – Of / Belonging to
Romi (רוֹמִי) – Rome
Aramaic: Maryam d’Ruma (ܡܪܝܡ ܕܪܘܡܐ)
Maryam (ܡܪܝܡ) – Mary
d’Ruma (ܕܪܘܡܐ) – Of Rome
Mary of Rome embodied perseverance was unseen her faithful servitude, quiet strength, and spiritual labor is still honored in Heaven. Though unnamed beyond this greeting, Paul’s words — “Greet Mary, who worked very hard for you” (Romans 16:6) — suggest a woman of great endurance, sacrificial service, and love for the saints. She stands as a prototype of hidden Kingdom laborers: those who are not in the spotlight but are honored in Heaven for their tireless devotion. She represents the backbone of the Body, the unseen yet essential builders of the early Church.
