Watchtower Study, Week of August 4-10, 2025, Jehovah's Name: What It Means to Jesus, Underlined Answers.

Watchtower Study, August 4-10, 2025, Jehovah's Name: What It Means to Jesus, Underlined Answers.

Yellow: Direct Response

Light Yellow: Additional Response

Celeste: Additional Points

“I have made your name known to them, and I will continue to make it known” (JOHN 17:26).

1, 2. a) What did Jesus do the night before he died? b) What will we answer in this article?

It was a Thursday night. The 14th of Nisan, 33 AD, had just begun, and Jesus was about to be betrayed, tried, condemned, tortured, and executed. He was gathered with his faithful apostles in the upper room of a house. After finishing a very special dinner, Jesus had offered them some encouraging farewell words. Then, shortly before everyone left, Jesus prayed a very profound prayer. The apostle John wrote it down, and we find it in John chapter 17.

2 In this article, we'll see what we can learn from Jesus' prayer: What were his concerns at that time, and what was important to him during his life on Earth?

“I HAVE MADE YOUR NAME KNOWN TO THEM”

3. What did Jesus say about the name Jehovah, and what did he mean? (John 17:6, 26)

3 In his prayer, Jesus said to Jehovah, “I have made your name known to them.” And it is clear that this was something very important to him, because he said it twice. (it is John 17:6, 26). Did he mean that he had taught his disciples that God's name is Jehovah? Clearly not. They knew this very well, since they were Jews and the name of God appeared thousands of times in the Hebrew Scriptures. By making God's name known to them, Jesus meant that he had taught them the kind of person Jehovah is, including his purpose, his actions, and his qualities. No one knew Jehovah better than he did, so no one could teach them as much about Jehovah as Jesus could.

4, 5. (a) How can someone's name come to have special meaning? Explain with an example. (b) How did Jehovah's name come to have very special meaning for the apostles?

4 For example, imagine there's an elder in your congregation named David, a surgeon. You've probably known him for many years. But suppose one day you have a medical emergency. You're rushed to the hospital where that brother works, and he uses his medical knowledge to save your life. Wouldn't you love him even more now? And every time you hear his name, you may be reminded of what he did for you. David is no longer just an elder in your congregation; he's also the person who saved your life. In other words, his name now has special meaning for you.

5 Similarly, although Jesus' disciples already knew the name Jehovah, they came to know the person who bears that name better. So the name Jehovah came to have a very special meaning for them. In what way? It was thanks to Jesus' ministry. He perfectly reflected his Father's personality in everything he did and said. By seeing how Jesus taught and treated people, the apostles came to know Jehovah better. (Juan 14:9; 17:3).

“YOUR OWN NAME, THE ONE YOU GAVE ME”

6. What did Jesus mean when he said that Jehovah had given him his own name? (John 17:11, 12)

6 Speaking of his disciples, Jesus said to Jehovah in his prayer: “Keep them for your own name’s sake, which you gave me.” (Read John 17:11, 12.) Does this mean that Jesus could also be called Jehovah? No. Notice that in his prayer Jesus refers to Jehovah’s name as “your own name.” So Jesus didn’t change his name; he didn’t start calling himself “Jehovah.” What, then, did he mean when he said that Jehovah had given him his own name? First, Jesus was Jehovah's representative and spokesman. He came in his Father's name and performed mighty works in his name. (Juan 5:43; 10:25). Furthermore, the name Jesus means "Jehovah is salvation." As we can see, the meaning of Jesus' name includes the name Jehovah.

7. Explain with an example why Jesus could speak in the name of Jehovah.

7 To understand it better, let's give an example. A ruler can appoint someone to be his ambassador—that is, his representative—and give him the authority to speak on his behalf. From that moment on, the ambassador's words will have the same authority as the ruler's. In a similar way, Jehovah appointed Jesus as his representative and gave him authority to speak on his behalf. (Matt. 21:9; Luke 13:35).

8. In what sense was Jehovah’s name “in” Jesus before he came to earth? (Exodus 23:20, 21)

8 The Bible says that Jesus is the Word because Jehovah has used him as a spokesman to give information and instructions to angels and humans (John 1:1-3). Jesus was probably the angel Jehovah sent to guide and protect the Israelites as they traveled through the wilderness. Why did they have to obey that angel? Jehovah gave the reason: “My name is in him.” (Read Exodus 23:20, 21.) In what sense was Jehovah’s name “in” Jesus? In the sense that he is his representative and the main defender of Jehovah and the sanctity of his name.

“FATHER, GLORIFY YOUR NAME”

9. How do we know that Jehovah’s name was very important to Jesus?

9 As we have just seen, even before Jesus came to earth, Jehovah's name was of utmost importance to him. The same can be said of his time here on earth. He demonstrated with everything he did that Jehovah's name was still the most important thing to him. Toward the end of his ministry, Jesus prayed to Jehovah, “Father, glorify your name.” Immediately his Father answered with a loud voice from heaven: “I have glorified it, and I will glorify it again.” (Juan 12:28).

10, 11. (a) How did Jesus glorify Jehovah’s name? (See also the image.) (b) Why must Jehovah’s name be sanctified and vindicated?

10 Jesus also glorified his Father's name. How did he do this? One way was by telling others about Jehovah’s beautiful qualities and wonderful works. But that wasn't the only thing he did to glorify that name. He knew that Jehovah's name had to be sanctified and his reputation vindicated. Jesus showed how important this was when he taught his disciples to pray. He said, “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name.” (Matt. 6:9).

11 Why should we sanctify and vindicate the name of Jehovah? For in the Garden of Eden, Satan slandered Jehovah God by claiming that he was a liar and that he was depriving Adam and Eve of something good. (Gen. 3:1-5). The Devil also insinuated that Jehovah's way of doing things is not right. These lies were a direct attack on Jehovah's reputation or name. Then, in Job's day, Satan claimed that all who serve Jehovah do so only out of self-interest. And that liar said that no human loves Jehovah enough to continue serving him when trials arise. (Job 1:9-11; 2:4). It took time to show who was telling the truth: Jehovah or Satan.

ILLUSTRATION

Jesus delivering the Sermon on the Mount to a large crowd.

Jesus taught his disciples the importance of sanctifying God's name. (See paragraph 10.)

“I GIVE MY LIFE”

12. What was Jesus willing to do for his love of Jehovah's name?

12 Jesus loved his Father so much that he wanted to do everything possible to sanctify and vindicate Jehovah's name. That's why he said, "I lay down my life." (Juan 10:17, 18). Indeed, he was willing to die for the name of Jehovah. Adam and Eve—the first two perfect human beings—turned their backs on Jehovah and sided with Satan. However, Jesus was willing to come to earth and demonstrate his love for Jehovah by being obedient throughout his life. (Heb. 4:15; 5:7-10). He remained absolutely loyal until his death on the torture stake (Heb. 12:2). This demonstrated his love for Jehovah and his name.

13. Why was there no one better than Jesus to prove that Satan was the liar? (See also the image.)

13 By all that he did during his life, Jesus proved beyond a doubt that it was Satan, not Jehovah, who was lying. (John 8:44) Jesus is the person in the entire universe who knows Jehovah best. If any of Satan's accusations against Jehovah had even a shred of truth, Jesus would have known it. But he remained determined to defend Jehovah's name, that is, his reputation. Even when it seemed that Jehovah had abandoned him, he chose to die rather than turn his back on his loving Father. (Mat. 27:46). d

ILLUSTRATION

Jesus on the torture stake.

With everything Jesus did during his life, he proved beyond a doubt that it was Satan, not Jehovah, who was lying. (See paragraph 13.)

“I HAVE COMPLETED THE WORK YOU ASSIGNED ME”

14. How did Jehovah reward Jesus for being faithful?

14 In his prayer the night before he died, Jesus said to Jehovah: “I have completed the work you gave me to do.” He trusted that Jehovah would reward him for his faithfulness. (John 17:4, 5) And he wasn’t wrong. Jehovah did not allow him to remain in the grave (Acts 2:23, 24). He resurrected him and gave him a superior position in heaven (Phil. 2:8, 9). Many years later, Jesus began to rule as King of God's Kingdom. And what would that Kingdom accomplish? Jesus explained when he taught us to pray to Jehovah: “Let your Kingdom come. Let your will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.”—Matt. 6:10.

15. What else will Jesus achieve?

15 Soon, Jesus will fight against the enemies of God and destroy the wicked at Armageddon. (Apoc. 16:14, 16; 19:11-16). He will then throw Satan into the “abyss,” a symbolic place where he will be locked up and unable to do anything. (Apoc. 20:1-3). Then the Thousand-Year Reign will begin, during which Jesus will bring peace to Earth and help human beings become perfect. He will raise the dead and make the whole Earth a paradise. Jehovah's purpose will finally be fulfilled! (Apoc. 21:1-4).

16. What will life be like when the Thousand Year Reign ends?

16 What will life be like when the Thousand Year Reign is over? Sin and imperfection will have disappeared. Humanity will no longer need to ask forgiveness for its sins on the basis of ransom. Nor will he need a mediator or priests to approach Jehovah. And “the last enemy, death,” will have ceased to exist. The dead will be resurrected. All who live on Earth will be perfect. (1 Cor. 15:25, 26).

17, 18. (a) What will happen at the end of the Thousand-Year Reign? (b) What will Jesus do when his reign ends? (1 Corinthians 15:24, 28; see also the image.)

17 What else will happen at the end of the Thousand Year Reign? Something very special: the debate over the sanctification of Jehovah's name will be brought to an end. In the Garden of Eden, Satan claimed that Jehovah was a liar and a wicked ruler who had no love for humans. Since then, throughout history, Jehovah's servants have sanctified his name time and again. When the 1,000 years are over, his reputation will have been fully vindicated. Our heavenly Father will have proven that he truly loves us.

18 Then everyone will know that what Satan said about Jehovah was pure lies. What will Jesus do when his reign ends? Will he follow Satan's example and rebel against Jehovah? Of course not! (Read 1 Corinthians 15:24, 28.) Jesus is very different. He will return the Kingdom to his Father and submit to his rule. He will be willing to do so out of love for Jehovah.

ILLUSTRATION

Jesus in heaven, giving his crown to Jehovah.

Jesus will be willing to return the Kingdom to Jehovah at the end of his Thousand-Year Reign. (See paragraph 18.)

19. What does the name Jehovah mean to Jesus?

19 No wonder Jehovah was willing to give his own name to his Son to be his representative. And Jesus has fulfilled this responsibility perfectly. So what does the name Jehovah mean to Jesus? It means everything to him. He was willing to die for that name, and he will be willing to give it all back to Jehovah at the end of the Thousand Year Reign. How can we imitate their example? We'll find out the answer in the next article.

WHAT WOULD YOU ANSWER?

How did Jesus make Jehovah's name known to his disciples?

Although Jesus' disciples already knew Jehovah's name, they came to know the person who bears that name better. So the name Jehovah came to have a very special meaning for them. Jesus perfectly reflected his Father's personality in everything he did and said. By seeing how Jesus taught and treated people, the apostles came to know Jehovah better.

What did Jesus mean when he said that Jehovah had given him his own name?

First, Jesus was Jehovah's representative and spokesman. He came in his Father's name and performed mighty works in his name. Furthermore, the name Jesus means "Jehovah is salvation." As we see, the meaning of Jesus' name includes the name Jehovah.

What was Jesus willing to do for Jehovah's name, and why?

He was willing to die for Jehovah's name. Adam and Eve—the first two perfect human beings—turned their backs on Jehovah and sided with Satan. However, Jesus was willing to come to earth and demonstrate his love for Jehovah by being obedient throughout his life. He remained absolutely loyal until his death on the torture stake. This demonstrated his love for Jehovah and his name.