Most of the personal names and location names in the Gospel of John refer to puns intended in the Sanskrit language. Sanskrit is the language used in the ancient Indian sacred texts (Upanishads, Bhagavad Gītā, Nyāya, Vedānta) and in the epic literature (Mahābhārata, Rāmāyaṇa) at the time the Gospel of John was written.

In addition to the puns intended in the Sanskrit language, the narrative of the Gospel of John contains many references to the ancient spiritual tradition of India. Since the Gospel of John names that have a pun intended in the Sanskrit language are also found in the Synoptic Gospels and the Synoptic Gospels do not appear to refer to the ancient spiritual tradition of India, these puns intended suggest that the Gospel of John was written first, before the Synoptic Gospels of Mark, Matthew and Luke.

The puns intended on the names mentioned in the Gospel:

Jesus

Greek ιησου (ee-ay-sooce’)
In Sanskrit the word “yasas” (यशस्) means a person of distinction and respectability, a person venerated, respected, and honored. It is one of the most important words in Sanskrit literature for concepts of “fame, glory, honor, reputation, splendor, beauty, renown”. It also signifies the beautiful appearance of gods, kings, and sages.

Nazareth

Greek ναζαρετ (nad-zar-eth’)
In Sanskrit the word “naza” (नाश) means loss, destruction, elimination.
In Sanskrit the word “reta” (रेतस्) means semen.

In Indian spiritual practice, the semen is raised from the Muladhara Chakra. As it rises along the length of the medial Sushumna nadi, this semen is transformed into nectar. This process is consummated in the uppermost Sahasrara Chakra located in the cranial vault. The refined semen, now transformed into nectar, fills the cranial vault. When allowed to flow back downwards, it floods the yogin’s body with its fluid of immortality. In the narrative of the Gospel of John, Jesus, originating from Nazareth, is associated with this semen that is transformed into the nectar of immortality.

Thomas

Greek θωμας (tho-mas’)
In Sanskrit the word “tamas” (तमस्) means mental darkness, ignorance, illusion, inability to see the spiritual truth. It is the greatest obstacle to liberation. It is the quality that must be overcome or transmuted for spiritual evolution.
In the Gospel of John (20:24-29) Thomas is the disciple who initially doubts the resurrection until he sees the risen Jesus. He is prevented from believing by his mental darkness.

Judas

Greek ιουδας (ee-oo-das’)
In Sanskrit the word “ya” (य) means “who is”.
In Sanskrit the word “dasyu” (दस्) means a class of evil beings or demons, enemies of gods. It also means a thief, robber.
In the Gospel of John Judas is the disciple who is mentioned as being a thief and being of the devil (John 6:70, 12:6, 13:2).

Iscariot

Greek ισκαριωτου (is-kar-ee-o’-tace)
In Sanskrit the word “iskaroti” (इष्करोत) means to arrange, to set in order, to prepare.
In the Gospel of John Judas Iscariot is the disciple who arranges the betrayal of Jesus (John 18:2-3).

Golgotha

Greek γολγοθα (gol-goth-ah’)
In Sanskrit the word “gal” (गल्) to vanish, perish, pass away.
In Sanskrit the word “gata” (गत) means departed from the world, deceased, dead.
In the Gospel of John the Golgotha is the place where Jesus dies and departs from the world.

Gabbatha

Greek γαββαθα (gab-bath-ah’)
In Sanskrit the word “gabha” (गभ) means the vulva.
In Sanskrit the word “ta” (त) means the womb.
In a Hieros Gamos the ground/the earth, corresponding to the pavement (Greek word lithostrotos λιθoστρωτoν) in the Gospel of John passion narrative, symbolizes femininity. Here we find Jesus dressed in a purple robe, wearing a crown and seated on a seat/a throne located in a place symbolizing femininity. These are the symbols of a Hieros Gamos, a symbolic sacred marriage between the feminine and masculine. In Indian rituals, the King is made to sit on a throne that represents the womb.

Barabbas

Greek βαραββας (bar-ab-bas’)
In Sanskrit the word “bhara” (भर) means bearing, granting, maintaining.
In Sanskrit the word “abhasa” (आभास) means semblance, looking like, having the appearance of.
In the Gospel of John Barabbas serves as the substitute for Jesus.

Mary

Greek μαρια (mar-ee’-ah)
In Sanskrit the word “marya” (मर्य) means mortal. It comes from the root word (मृ) [mṛ] meaning death.
In the Gospel of John Mary appears in the death of Lazarus narrative (chapter 11) and in the crucifixion, the death of Jesus narrative (John 19:25).

Martha

Greek μαρθα (mar’-thah)
In Sanskrit the word “martya” (मर्त्यय) means dying, death, a mortal. It comes from the root word (मृ) [mṛ] meaning death.
In the Gospel of John Martha appears in the death of Lazarus narrative (chapter 11).

Cana

Greek κανα (kan-ah’)
In Sanskrit the word “kha” (ख) means vacuity, empty space, air, ether.
In Sanskrit the word “na” (न) means no, not.
Kha + na in Sanskrit, means “not empty” or “filled up”. In the Gospel of John narrative of the Wedding at Cana the six empty jars are filled up with water which will turn into wine.

Bethesda

Greek βηθεσδα (bay-thes-dah’)
In Sanskrit the word “tas” (तस्) means to fade away, perish, to cast upwards or to throw down.
In Sanskrit the word “da” (द) means granting, offering, giving any desired object.
In the Healing at Bethesda narrative the poor sick man is unable to be thrown down into the pool but Jesus casts him upwards and he is granted healing by Jesus.