Bible Question:
It is commonly thought that the name of Jesus has been wrongly translated from the Hebrew name Yeshua or Yoshua. If the gospels were written by the disciples why did this happen?
Bible Answer:
The Old Testament was written in Hebrew, and the New Testament was written in Greek. The spelling of Jesus’ Hebrew name changed over a period of one hundred years. It changed during a very difficult time in the lives of the Jewish people. At about 605 B.C. many of the Jewish people were taken as captives to Babylon by Nebuchadnezzar. This is called the exile. After the exile was over, the spelling of the name had changed. If we were to translate the two names into English, we would say the name changed from Yoshua to Yeshua.
The Greek culture and language spread throughout the Middle East. When Jesus was born, Greek culture was “everywhere.” Greek was the common language of the day. Consequently, the New Testament was written in Greek, and Jesus’ name was translated into Greek. The translation of His Greek name into English comes out “Jesus.”
Conclusion:
The disciples were careful writers. They did not make mistakes in the information they recorded for us to read. The medical doctor, Luke, is just one example.
Inasmuch as many have undertaken to compile an account of the things accomplished among us, just as those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and servants of the word have handed them down to us, it seemed fitting for me as well, having investigated everything carefully from the beginning, to write it out for you in consecutive order, most excellent Theophilus; so that you might know the exact truth about the things you have been taught. (NASB) Luke 1:1-4