What’s in a name?

“A rose by any other name would smell as sweet.”- William Shakespeare

In scripture, Jesus changes Simon to Peter (Cephas). Have you ever wondered why names were changed in the Bible? Did changing a persons name change them? Not really, but it did mark them as a different identity.

Here is what I mean, Simon means “God has heard” and Cephas(Peter) means “rock”. Jesus knew Peter was to be the rock or foundation His church was built on. So Jesus gave him a name more fitting for Simon.

We do not put as much weight on the names of children as they used to. The names had specific meanings. We name them names based on the sound or the generational passed down names.

Have you ever considered what Jesus would call you if He were to rename you?