"But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name." — John 20:31 (KJV)
The short answer
The Bible exalts the name of Jesus above every name — the only name by which we can be saved. It is a name to be worshipped, prayed in, called upon, and lived under, before which every knee will one day bow, anchored in Acts 4:12 and Philippians 2:9-11.
In Scripture a name is never just a label; it carries the character and authority of the one who bears it. And no name in heaven or earth carries what the name of Jesus carries. It saves, it heals, it answers prayer, and it will one day command the worship of all creation. The Bible does not treat this name lightly, and neither should we. Below are eight passages, quoted exactly from the King James Version, gathered around the questions the name of Jesus answers.
Why is the name of Jesus above every name?
The exaltation of Jesus' name is the Father's own doing. It stands over every other name in heaven, on earth, and beneath, and it is the one name in which salvation is found.
"Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." — Philippians 2:9-11 (KJV)
Because Jesus humbled Himself to the cross, God exalted Him to the highest place. One day every knee will bow and every tongue confess Him Lord. The wise bow now in love what all will one day bow in truth.
"Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved." — Acts 4:12 (KJV)
This is one of Scripture's boldest claims: salvation is found in no one else. Not a name among many, but the one name given to us by heaven. To find Jesus is to find the only door that opens to God.
What does the name of Jesus mean?
The name was chosen by God before the birth of Christ, and its meaning is the gospel in a single word: the Lord saves.
"And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins." — Matthew 1:21 (KJV)
The angel gave both the name and its reason in one breath: call Him Jesus, for He shall save. His very name is a promise. It tells us not only who He is but what He came to do — to save His people from their sins.
"The name of the LORD is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe." — Proverbs 18:10 (KJV)
A name to run into. When fear presses or the enemy pursues, the name of the Lord is a fortress. Safety is not a place we build but a Person we flee to, and He never fails those who take refuge in Him.
What does it mean to pray in the name of Jesus?
To pray in Jesus' name is to come to the Father through the Son, asking on His authority and for His glory. His name is our access.
"And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it." — John 14:13-14 (KJV)
This is not a blank cheque for our every whim, but a stunning invitation: to ask in His name, aiming at the Father's glory. When we pray as those who belong to Jesus, we pray with His welcome and His authority.
"And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him." — Colossians 3:17 (KJV)
His name is not only for prayer but for all of life. Every word, every task, done "in the name of the Lord Jesus," becomes an act of worship — ordinary days lived under a glorious name.
What power is there in calling on the name of Jesus?
The book of Acts shows the name of Jesus at work — healing the lame and saving all who call upon Him. The power is the living Lord Himself.
"Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk." — Acts 3:6 (KJV)
Peter had no money to give, but he had something greater: the name of Jesus. What the world cannot buy, that name freely gives. The man once carried to the temple gate now stood and walked.
"For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved." — Romans 10:13 (KJV)
"Whosoever" is the widest word in Scripture. No one who truly calls on the name of the Lord is turned away. Salvation is as near as a heartfelt cry to the One who bears that saving name.
Frequently asked questions
What does it mean to pray in the name of Jesus?
To pray in the name of Jesus is to come to God on His authority and in line with His will, not merely to add a phrase at the end of a prayer. Jesus promised, whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son (John 14:13, KJV). We approach the Father through the Son, asking for what honors Him, and trusting the access His name gives us. It is the confidence of a child who comes in the family name, welcomed because of who Jesus is.
Why is the name of Jesus so powerful?
The name of Jesus is powerful because of the One who bears it. God has highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name (Philippians 2:9, KJV), and Scripture says there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved (Acts 4:12). The power is not in the syllables as a formula, but in the living Lord Himself. To call on His name is to call on Him, and He answers according to His grace and His will.
"For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace." — Isaiah 9:6 (KJV)
Take it deeper
These verses are a beginning, not the whole of what God says about the name of His Son. FlickerFaith is a Scripture-first study companion — open it to read these passages in full context, trace the many names and titles of Christ across the Bible, pray in His name with confidence, and ask honest questions about what it means to call on Jesus. It keeps you close to the Word, not away from it.
Keep reading
The name that saves was honored at the cross and the empty tomb — read what the Bible says about the cross and the resurrection. Go deeper into the blood of Jesus. To meet Him personally, see who is Jesus Christ? and what the Bible says about salvation. You can also explore AI Bible study or return home.