Coming in the Father’s Name: What Yeshua Meant (John 5:43 Explained)

 

One of the great mysteries revealed during Yeshua’s first coming is this: the Yahweh of the Scriptures—the One we read about speaking with and appearing to the Hebrews and the prophets—was Yeshua, coming in His Father’s name.

This does not mean that Yeshua and the Father are the same being. Scripture shows a clear distinction and order between Yahweh and Yeshua. Rather, Yeshua acts in the authority of His Father, fully representing Him.

We are first introduced to this reality in John’s writings:

“No one has ever seen Elohim. All came to be through Him, The only brought-forth Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, He did declare.” (John 1:18)

“And the Father who sent Me, He has borne witness of Me. You have neither heard His voice at any time, nor seen His form.” (John 5:37)

“Not that anyone has seen the Father, except He who is from Elohim. He has seen the Father.” (John 6:46)

 These passages present an important dilemma: throughout the Older Testament, we repeatedly read of Yahweh appearing and speaking directly with people.

For example, at Mount Sinai:

“Then Moses, Aaron, Nadab, Abihu, and seventy of the elders of Israel went up. They saw the Elohim of Israel. Under his feet was like a paved work of sapphire stone, like the skies for clearness. He didn’t lay his hand on the nobles of the children of Israel. They saw Elohim, and ate and drank.”  (Exodus 24:9-11)

Yet later, in Acts, we are given further insight: 

“This is that Moses who said to the children of Israel, ‘Yahweh our Elohim will raise up a prophet for you from among your brothers, like me.’ This is he who was in the assembly in the wilderness with the Messenger that spoke to him on Mount Sinai, and with our fathers, who received living revelations to give to us,” (Acts 7:37-38)

The Messianic writings are not equating Yeshua with the Father. Rather, they reveal that Yeshua is the Messenger of Yahweh—the One through whom Yahweh interacts with humanity.

Think of it like a royal envoy sent in the name of a king. Though not the king himself, he carries the king’s authority and speaks on his behalf. In the same way, Yeshua comes in His Father’s name: 

 “I have come in my Father’s name, and you don’t receive me. If another comes in his own name, you will receive him.” (John 5:43)

 The Messenger in the Burning Bush

Another clear example is the burning bush:

“Yahweh’s Messenger appeared to him in a flame of fire out of the middle of a bush. He looked, and behold, the bush burned with fire, and the bush was not consumed.” (Exodus 3:2)

 Stephen later clarifies:

“This Moses whom they refused, saying, ‘Who made you a ruler and a judge?’—Elohim has sent him as both a ruler and a deliverer by the hand of the Messenger who appeared to him in the bush.” (Acts 7:35) 

Once again, we see Yahweh working through His Messenger—His visible representative. 

Abraham and Yahweh

Another powerful encounter is found with Abraham:

“Yahweh appeared to him by the oaks of Mamre, as he sat in the tent door in the heat of the day. He lifted up his eyes and looked, and saw that three men stood near him. When he saw them, he ran to meet them from the tent door, and bowed himself to the earth,” (Genesis 18:1-2)

Abraham speaks with Yahweh, eats with Him, and walks with Him. Yet we are told that no one has seen the Father.

How do we reconcile this?

By considering the fullness of Scripture. Yahweh conceals matters, but it is the honor of kings to search them out. Yeshua Himself gives us the answer:

“Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day. He saw it and was glad.” The Judeans therefore said to him, “You are not yet fifty years old! Have you seen Abraham?” Yeshua said to them, “Most certainly, I tell you, before Abraham came into existence, I am.” (John 8:56-58)

 Before Time

Yeshua did not begin at His birth through Mary. He existed before the world began and has always been active in carrying out the will of the Father.

“I glorified you on the earth. I have accomplished the work which you have given me to do. Now, Father, glorify me with your own self with the glory which I had with you before the world existed.” (John 17:4-5)

The Name of Yahweh in Him

To fully understand what it means that Yeshua came in His Father’s name, we must look to the Torah itself, where this concept is first introduced.

“See, I am sending a Messenger before you to guard you in the way and to bring you into the place which I have prepared. Be on guard before Him and obey His voice. Do not rebel against Him, for He is not going to pardon your transgression, for My Name is in Him. But if you diligently obey His voice and shall do all that I speak, then I shall be an enemy to your enemies and a distresser to those who distress you.” (Exodus 23:20–21)

This passage is profound. Yahweh speaks of a Messenger who carries His very Name. This is not merely a title—it represents His authority, character, and presence. To obey this Messenger is to obey Yahweh Himself.

This helps us understand Yeshua’s words:

“I have come in My Father’s name…” (John 5:43)

 “For I spoke not from myself, but the Father who sent me gave me a commandment, what I should say and what I should speak.” (John 12:49)

Yeshua is not coming on His own authority, but fully representing the Father—bearing His Name in the fullest sense.

The prophets echo this same idea:

“He shall stand and shepherd in the strength of Yahweh, in the majesty of the Name of Yahweh His Elohim…” (Micah 5:4)

The coming Messiah would operate in the power and authority of Yahweh’s Name. This is the language of divine agency—where one is sent as a perfect representative, fully carrying out the will of the one who sent him.

This concept brings clarity to everything we have seen: when Yahweh is described as appearing, speaking, and interacting with His people, it is through the One who bears His Name—His Messenger, His emissary, Yeshua.

 One Elohim, One Mediator

Scripture consistently shows that Yahweh is set apart beyond human approach:

“Yahweh said to Moses, “Tell Aaron your brother not to come at just any time into the Holiest Place behind the curtain —before the atonement cover which is on the Ark—so that he would not die. For I will be appearing in the cloud over the atonement cover.” (Leviticus 16:2)

If even His presence in the Most Holy Place could bring death, how then did men speak with Him face to face?

The answer is consistent throughout Scripture: it was through Yeshua.

“Yeshua the Messiah is the same yesterday, today, and forever.” (Hebrews 13:8)

“For there is one Elohim and one mediator between Elohim and men, the man Messiah Yeshua,” (1 Timothy 2:5)

 Yeshua has always been that mediator.

He walked with Adam and Eve in the garden, spoke to Noah, called Abraham, wrestled with Jacob, and spoke to Moses. Throughout all generations, He has been the emissary of Yahweh—carrying out His will and revealing Him to humanity.

Go Deeper: Continue the Study

If this perspective is new or challenges what you’ve previously understood, I encourage you to explore these related teachings. Each one builds on the foundation of Yahweh’s covenant and the role of Yeshua within it.

• Nailed to the Cross: What Was Really Removed?
  A deeper look at what was actually taken away through Yeshua’s sacrifice—and what was not.
• Yeshua's Sermon on the Mount: Rediscovering Torah and the Way to the Father
  A powerful look at how Yeshua upheld and taught the fullness of the Torah, revealing the heart, depth, and intent behind Yahweh’s commandments.
• The True Ultimate Sacrifice: Understanding the Divorce of the House of Israel and its Reclamation
  An in-depth study of Israel’s covenant unfaithfulness, the certificate of divorce, and how Yeshua’s sacrifice makes restoration possible.

Pray over these things, test them in the Scriptures, and seek Yahweh’s wisdom as you continue.

P.S.

Check out some of my books! Available in both print and Kindle versions.