Why Did Jesus Rename Some of His Disciples? (and not the others)

[Roseheart]

As the title says, I was wondering why Jesus gave some of His disciples (e.g. Simon, whom he named Peter (Luke 6:14)). Is there a reason from the Scriptures, or a reason besides for this?

Thank you.

 

[tz620q]

As the title says, I was wondering why Jesus gave some of His disciples (e.g. Simon, whom he named Peter (Luke 6:14)). Is there a reason from the Scriptures, or a reason besides for this?

Thank you.

Usually when God changed someone's name, he meant it as a means of showing a new purpose for the person. Some examples are the following:

From the USCCB online bible and notes -
Genesis 17:5
"No longer will you be called Abram; your name will be Abraham, for I am making you the father of a multitude of nations"

Note - Abram and Abraham are merely two forms of the same name, both meaning, “the father is exalted”; another variant form is Abiram (Nm 16:1; 1 Kgs 16:34). The additional -ha- in the form Abraham is explained by popular etymology as coming from ab-hamon goyim, “father of a multitude of nations.”

Genesis 17:15
"God further said to Abraham: As for Sarai your wife, do not call her Sarai; her name will be Sarah."

Note - Sarai and Sarah are variant forms of the same name, both meaning “princess.”

Genesis 35:10-12
"God said to him: 'Your name is Jacob. You will no longer be named Jacob, but Israel will be your name. So he was named Israel.'
Then God said to him: 'I am God Almighty; be fruitful and multiply. A nation, indeed an assembly of nations, will stem from you, and kings will issue from your loins. The land I gave to Abraham and Isaac I will give to you; and to your descendants after you I will give the land.'"


All of these name changes were followed by a prophecy that the person would be part of the building of God's Kingdom on earth.

 

[Roseheart]

Oh, right, thank you, I didn't make the connection there...
In that case, is there any reason that some of them didn't get new names?

Thank you and God bless!

 

[ViaCrucis]

The only time I can think of Jesus specifically giving one of His disciples a new name is in the case of Simon, who Jesus called Peter (Kepha in Aramaic) because he was to be the rock.

Some of the others are believed to have had dual names (Levi/Matthew, Judas/Thaddeus, Nathaniel/Bartholomew). While in, for example, St. Paul's case it may have been his choice to go by "Paulos" rather than "Shaul". For one, "Paul" is a Greek name, whereas "Saul" is Hebrew/Aramaic and he saw his mission as apostle to the Gentiles; additionally the name "Paul" in Greek means "least" or "small", and may have been a way for him to recognize his place as someone humbled, as "least of the apostles" "as one born out of due time" etc, called to suffer for Christ's sake in retrospect of his former life.

I'm just guessing at this of course.

-CryptoLutheran

 

[InSpiritInTruth]

Isaiah 8:18
Behold, I and the children whom the LORD hath given me are for signs and for wonders in Israel from the LORD of hosts, which dwelleth in mount Zion.

These signs and symbolisms are given in the Lord, and also in His anointed children, just as there is alot to be seen in a name.

 

[Roseheart]

Thank you, both of you - you've helped me understand this a bit more.

 

[tz620q]

Oh, right, thank you, I didn't make the connection there...
In that case, is there any reason that some of them didn't get new names?

Thank you and God bless!

This is just my opinion; but God seems to only change people's names when they have a pivotal role in the advancement of the Kingdom. It is an interesting thought that He did not change the name of Moses; but maybe this was because the name, Moses, was known to the Pharaoh and would act as a passport for Moses in Egypt. In Simon's case, the term Peter or Kepha (Aramaic for rock), pointed to his future function as the rock on which the church would be built. I know that this point has been debated a lot here; but to me it is a clearer reading of Matthew 16:18 than any other.

 

[Roseheart]

This is just my opinion; but God seems to only change people's names when they have a pivotal role in the advancement of the Kingdom. It is an interesting thought that He did not change the name of Moses; but maybe this was because the name, Moses, was known to the Pharaoh and would act as a passport for Moses in Egypt. In Simon's case, the term Peter or Kepha (Aramaic for rock), pointed to his future function as the rock on which the church would be built. I know that this point has been debated a lot here; but to me it is a clearer reading of Matthew 16:18 than any other.

Yes, I think that's one of the clearest reasons He changed somebody's name.

 

[MAS0N]

It speaks to the importance of the way we see ourselves. Our name is linked to our identity. Every time we're called by a name an identity is reinforced. God doesn't need to change your name to change your destiny, but you will need to see yourself differently in order to embrace His calling for your life. God bless!

 

[Roseheart]

It speaks to the importance of the way we see ourselves. Our name is linked to our identity. Every time we're called by a name an identity is reinforced. God doesn't need to change your name to change your destiny, but you will need to see yourself differently in order to embrace His calling for your life. God bless!

I hadn't thought of it quite in that way. Thank you for your post and God bless.