Why does the name Jesus come from Jehoshua?
The name Jesus derives from Jehoshua because Jehoshua means Savior. The name points to His saving work: He shall save the people from their sin. In the Old Testament context, this suffering Savior concept runs parallel to the promised King and Kingdom.
Les explains that the word Savior is Jehoshua, and out of that name Jehoshua comes the name Jesus, because He shall save the people from their sin. This fits the Old Testament expectation of a suffering Savior, which ran parallel to the promise of a coming King who would set up the Kingdom. Les notes that some rabbis even thought there would be two Messiahs: one to fulfill the King and Kingdom promise, and another to fulfill the suffering Savior promise. The disciples’ question on the Mount of Olives about the sign of His coming and the end of the age opens up this prophetic framework.