The words "Jesus Christ" are so tinny and unpleasant.

This isn't just because I'm not Christian. I'm not Muslim or Buddhist, either, but I think Mohammed and Buddha have nice, woody names. What's wrong with Jesus's name?

Well, first off, "Jesus" (JEE-zis) is the anglicisation of the romanisation of the hellenisation of an Aramaic name. We have "Jesus Christ." The Romans had "iesus christus" (gen. "iesu christi"). The Greeks had "'ΙΗΣΟΥΣ ΧΡΙΣΤΟΣ."

"ΧΡΙΣΤΟΣ" (christos) literally means "he who has received the chrisma" (χρισμα), or ritual oil; it's probably best translated into English as "Anointed One," and figuratively as "Appointed One." This word is the Greek translation of the Hebrew term "messiah," so it's not part of Jesus's name. He's not "Mr. Christ." He was referred to by his Aramaic followers as "ha Mashiah," or "the messiah" – the anointed one.

Jesus's language was Aramaic. I think it's the only one he spoke, and it's is written in a script similar to that of Hebrew. (I had originally thought that Jesus was illiterate; Metacognizant points out that he was well-versed enough in the Torah to debate it with literate rabbis, indicating that he likely was literate.)

In Aramaic, Jesus's name was "Yehoshuah." This is similar to the English name "Joshua." This bears a certain similarity to the traditional name of God, "YHVH," with the addition of the letter "Shin" (signifying English's "sh" sound) smack in the middle, like so:

Y-H-Sh-V-H

Which yields "Yehoshuah," or "Yehoshevah." (Metacognizant points out that this resemblance is only superficial, as yod, hey, and vav are the most common letters in the Hebrew and Aramaic languages.)

In ancient times, most people didn't have surnames. Western civilisation started using surnames during the early middle ages, based on a Roman model. In the rest of the world, including the Middle East, most people were referred to by their father. Jesus's father's name, Joseph, is almost the same in Aramaic – "Yoseph." According to Middle Eastern naming traditions, therefore, Jesus would be "Yehoshuah ben Yoseph."

Jesus was never called "Jesus Christ" while he was alive, according to the NIV translation. Three of the four Gospels name him "Jesus Christ" in their first chapter, but only as part of the introduction. Elsewhere "Jesus" is his name and "Christ" is used separately.

After Jesus' death and resurrection, however, the phrase "Jesus Christ" comes quickly into common use. It can be found in Acts 2:38, 3:6, 4:10, just to name the earliest examples, as well as by Paul throughout his Epistles.

The word "Christ" is a modified Greek translation of the word "Messiah", and when Biblical characters are quoted as using it in the Gospels it's along the lines of "Jesus, who is called the Christ". The non-surname of "Christ" should be considered a title rather than part of his name.

The real opponents of Jesus where the Pharisees, the most important of which were Caiaphas the high priest, and Annas. The Pharisees as listed in Mathew 26:3 were the " . . .chief priests, and the scribes, and the elders of the temple . . ." It was they who offered Judas Iscariot silver to betray Jesus. They who condemned him and when Pontius Pilate offered to release one prisoner for the festival, it was they who arranged that Barabbas the thief would be released instead of the innocent Christ.

The emnity was mutual. Matthew 23 is one long harangue against the Pharisees, where Christ calls them as hypocrites, in love with power and privilege rather than the poor and downtrodden. And he comes to the temple and overthrows the tables of the moneychangers. To modern ears the story of the moneychangers sounds worse than it actually is. Money in ancient times was often local, and you had to exchange moneys for something the temple could spend before donating. A modest fee was accepted and normal. But these individuals were profiteering, and kicking something back to temple officials. It was this and not the act of moneychanging which drew Jesus's ire.

In Luke we have a very long episode where Jesus is brought before the Roman Governor, Pontius Pilate. In Luke 23:14 Pilate expressly denies Christ's guilt, saying . . . I, having examined this man before you, have found no fault in this man touching those things whereof ye accuse him." In Luke 23:22 Pilate tries for a third time to appease the mob, and win Christ's release.

Nope, the Romans didn't kill Christ. It was the entrenched leaders of a dogmatic religion. In the scriptures, the Romans are never more than errand boys.

Also known as:

A

• and finisher of our faith (Hebrews 12:2)
• of eternal salvation (Hebrews 5:9)

B

C

• of the army of the LORD (Joshua 5:14)

D

E

F

• Witness (Revelation 1:5; Revelation 3:14; Revelation 19:11)
• and True (Revelation 19:11)

G

H

• Child (Acts 4:30)
• One and the Just (Acts 2:27; Acts 3:14)

I

J

K

• King of Kings (Revelation 19:16)

L

• of men (John 1:4)
• of the world (John 8:12)

• and Saviour ( 2 Peter 1:11)
• of Lords (Revelation 19:16)
• see also Master.

M

N

O

P

• of life (Acts 3:15)
• and Saviour (Acts 5:31)
• of peace (Isaiah 9:6)

Q

R

S

• of God (1 John 4:15)
• of His Love (Colossians 1:13)
• of Man (Mark 8:31)
• of David (Matthew 1:1)

T

V

W

Mostly based on excerpts from A Plant of Renown by Leonard Sheldrake.