THE Jesus
Matthew 17:17
Then THE JESUS answered and said….
Comments: There are many men named Jesus/Joshua/Yeshua (all the same name in Greek/English/Hebrew), but there is only one Messiah—THE JESUS—and we see him addressed as such, using the definite article “the” many times in the New Testament.
The Greek definite article ho, meaning “the,” is present in this and many other NT passages in koine Greek texts referencing The Jesus, setting Jesus the Son of God apart from all others with the same name.
There were many gods in the Greek culture Jesus lived in, and writers of the New Testament often used the definite article “THE,” as in THE GOD, to differentiate between false gods and the ONE TRUE GOD. In the same way, writers of the Gospels also frequently used the definite article to identify which Jesus/Joshua they wrote of.
To this day, in the English, Hebrew, and Spanish languages, the names Joshua, Yeshua, and Jesus are common names. In the New Testament, Joshua of the Exodus is called Jesus twice (Acts 7:45 and Hebrews 4:8), but there is only one THE JESUS, who is frequently set apart by biblical writers using the definite article “the.”
Regarding the Greek definite article, ho, meaning “the:” The only significant renderings for this word, other than "the," are this, that, these, etc. G3588 - ho - Strong's Greek Lexicon (kjv).
The presence of the definite article preceding the name Jesus is significant, as it sets the Messiah apart from others with the same name, yet the definite article remains untranslated in virtually all English translations.
It is difficult to understand why Bible translators omit the word it entirely [in English Bibles] within the context of “The Jesus.” To justify their deliberate omission by claiming it is obvious to readers who is being referenced is not their call to make. To omit it because they do not understand why the definite article is present is likewise not their call to make.
This is yet another example of Christian priestcraft, the practice of scholars, theologians, and Bible translators in keeping special knowledge to themselves; depriving the unwashed masses of the opportunity to reach their own conclusions as to why a certain word—in this case the definite article, “the” when associated with Jesus—is present in the biblical text.
Jocelyn Andersen is the author of several non-fiction books, including, Redemption: Bible Prophecy Simplified, a Study of HOPE.
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Read more about this commentary HERE.