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INNER CIRCLE: Pearls of Wisdom

INNER CIRCLE: Pearls of Wisdom

Last updated on: August 8, 2025 at 4:42 pm by Keith Giles

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INNER CIRCLE: Pearls of Wisdom 2025-08-08T16:42:22+00:00 Keith Giles

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IMAGE; Keith Giles

The apostles before us called (him) “Jesus of Nazareth, the Messiah,” that is, “Jesus the Nazarene Christ.” The last name is “Christ,” the first is “Jesus,” the middle one is “the Nazarene.” Messiah has two meanings: both “Christ (the anointed one)” and “the measured.” Jesus in Hebrew is “the redeemer.” Nazara is “the truth.” So, the Nazarene is the truth, the liberator, and the anointed one who measures.

A pearl doesn’t become less valuable if it’s cast down into the mud, nor will it become more valuable if it’s anointed with balsam; its value remains unchanged in the eyes of the owner. That’s what it’s like with God’s children: no matter where they are, they’re still valuable to their Father.” (The Gospel of Philip vs. 47-48)

On one level, we can take this section of Philip’s Gospel figuratively and deal with what it says on its own terms, or, on another level, we can critically examine these claims based on more accurate information.

If we take it at face value, without questioning the information provided, it seems to want us to understand that the three names of Jesus contain some sort of coded information for us to decipher. This meaning is deduced to communicate that “the Nazarene is the truth, the liberator and the anointed one who measures.” But, is this true? On one level, we can affirm that Jesus embodies the truth (John 14:6), and that he is the redeemer or “liberator” who sets us free (John 8:32), and that he is “the anointed one who measures”, at least in the sense that our own spiritual development can be measured against his to determine our level of awakening. Nothing wrong with any of this. However, it isn’t true that the word “Nazarene” has anything to do with the Hebrew word “Nazara” which, incidentally, does not exist. There are Hebrew words that are close to this, like “Netzer” which means “branch” or “sprout” and “Natsar” which means “to guard” or “to watch.” But neither word can be mapped to the idea of “Truth.”

So much for Philip’s knowledge of Hebrew words.

Still, the meaning behind these verses still rings true. Jesus is still the truth, and a redeemer and he is still the anointed one by whom all things are measured.

If we could reach back in time and correct Philip’s bad grammar, we might suggest a re-write of this verse above to read like this:

“The last name is “Christ,” the first “Jesus,”, the middle is “The Nazarene.” Messiah (Christ) has two meanings: both “the anointed one” and “the measured.” Jesus (Y’shua) in Hebrew means “redeemer.” “Natsar” means “to guard” and “Netzer” means “branch.” So, the Nazarene is the branch who protects us, and the redeemer who sets us free, and the anointed one by whom we are measured.”

This reading makes more sense to me, and although it’s not what the original text says, it flows more accurately into the meaning of the three names attributed to Jesus.

The second verse takes this idea behind the names of Jesus and applies it to us, the Children of God. Philip’s Gospel says that our value has nothing to do with our outward appearance or our degree of cleanliness.

If we are covered with the muck and grime of this world, we are just as valuable to our Heavenly Father as ones who are magnificently anointed with oil. Our value comes from our identity as God’s offspring.

We are all pearls in God’s hands, regardless of our position, spiritual awareness, or standing in society. The only thing that matters to God is that we are made in God’s image.

We belong to God, and to one another.

The new book, “The Quantum Gospel of Mary and the Lost Gospel of Truth” is now available on Amazon.

The book from Keith Giles, “The Quantum Sayings of Jesus: Decoding the Lost Gospel of Thomas” is available now on Amazon. Order HERE>

Keith Giles is the best-selling author of the Jesus Un series. He has been interviewed on CNN with Anderson Cooper, Coast to Coast Radio with George Noory, USA Today, BuzzFeed, and John Fugelsang’s “Tell Me Everything.” He co-hosts The Heretic Happy Hour Podcastand his solo podcast, Second Cup With Keith which are both available on Spotify, Amazon, Apple, Podbean or wherever you find great podcasts.

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