"In Jesus' Name" - What does this even mean?

by Darren Rusco

When words or phrases get used commonly in the language of Christian culture, they often lose meaning. Saying "in Jesus' name" has most commonly become a way to close out a prayer - "in Jesus' name I pray, amen." But where did this come from? Let's look at the context of this phrase in the New Testament.

There's a Greek word used frequently in the New Testament called exousia (pronounced ex-oo-SEE-ah). It's usually translated into english as "authority". Jesus said in Matthew 28:18 "All authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth." There is a spiritual understanding of this word that has application in healing and casting out demons, among other things. In Luke 9:1, Jesus gave this authority to the twelve disciples so they could cast out demons and heal the sick. Again, in Luke 10, Jesus gave this authority to 72 others for the same purpose. And John writes in John 1:12, "But to all who receive him (Jesus), he gave them the exousia to become children of God." All followers of Jesus are connected with his authority.

This word exousia, in the hands of people, refers to the power to act on behalf of the one giving it. It refers to rights and permissions to act. It was given, received, and then exercised on behalf of the one who gave it.

So in the New Testament, we see examples of someone operating "in Jesus' name." These are people who are exercising the authority they received from Jesus and now function in a circumstance, in place of Jesus. So instead of Jesus going everywhere and using his authority to heal and deliver people, he gave the authority to his followers so they could do the same work in his place. So the phrase "in Jesus' name" means "in Jesus' stead" or "in Jesus' place". When you function in Jesus' name, you are his representative exercising his authority.

In Acts 3:6, Peter tells a man who is lame: "In the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, get up and walk." I suppose Peter could have prayed for the man, asking God to heal him, but instead, Peter actually commands the healing, as though he actually has authority to heal, because he does! Jesus gave it to him. So his language is: "I am here as a representative of Jesus, carrying his authority. Be healed."

There are many examples of this phrase in the New Testament. Use a concordance and check it out! Read these Scriptures with this lens. There is teaching in Jesus' name and baptizing in Jesus' name. The common denominator with this phrase is heaven to earth direction. Meaning, authority is coming from Jesus to people and to those healed and set free. The one thing you won't find in the New Testament, is this phrase used to wrap up a prayer.

I encourage to think about this phrase in your own life, as one who carries authority in Jesus. He decided to send you as his representative - how will you steward this gift?