Jesus
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Who was Jesus?
Jesus (born c. 6â4 BCE, Bethlehemâdied c. 30 CE, Jerusalem) is a religious leader revered in Christianity, one of the worldâs major religions, regarded by most Christians as the Incarnation of God. The prime sources for knowledge of Jesus of Nazareth are the four canonical Gospels in the New Testament. Though born in Bethlehem, Jesus was a Galilean from Nazareth. As a young adult, he was baptized by John the Baptist and became an itinerant preacher and healer. In his mid-30s, he had a short public career, during which he attracted considerable attention. Sometime between 29 and 33 CE, he went to observe Passover in Jerusalem, where he was arrested, tried, and executed. His disciples became convinced that he rose from the dead and appeared to them. They converted others to believe in him, which eventually led to a new religion, Christianity.
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What are some important events in Jesus's life?
Jesus's life, according to the Gospels, began in Bethlehem and continued in Nazareth. He was baptized by John the Baptist and became an itinerant preacher and healer, performing miracles. Jesus's message emphasized love, forgiveness, and compassion for the outcasts of society.
His entry into Jerusalem was triumphant, but he was soon arrested, tried, and crucified. Christians believe he rose from the dead. The Last Supper with his disciples is commemorated through the Eucharist, and his death and resurrection are central to Christian faith, offering salvation to believers.
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Why do many people consider Jesus important?
Jesus is considered important for several reasons, deeply rooted in religious belief and historical impact. Christians view Jesus as the Messiah, the Son of God, and a savior sent to redeem humanity. The Gospels depict Jesus as a teacher and the decisive revelation of God, emphasizing both his teachings and his person.
Jesus's message of love, forgiveness, and compassion resonates widely. His teachings often prioritize the poor, the meek, and the marginalized, offering a vision of a kingdom open to all who embrace these values. The Crucifixion and Resurrection are central to Christian faith, symbolizing atonement for sins and the promise of eternal life.
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What are some of Jesusâs main teachings?
Jesus's teachings revolved around the spiritual concept of the Kingdom of God, which is the central theme of his teachings in the New Testament. He emphasized complete devotion to God, prioritizing it above all else, including oneself and family.
Jesus advocated for ethical purity, asserting that adherence to religious law should come from within, addressing not only actions but also thoughts and intentions. He used parables to convey complex ideas through simple stories, making his message accessible to diverse audiences. Jesus welcomed all, especially the marginalized, into the Kingdom of God, teaching that love and compassion were key to entry.
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How has Jesus influenced history and different cultures?
Jesus Christ's life, teachings, death, and resurrection significantly influenced history and various cultures. His message, rooted in Judaism, spread rapidly, adapting to Hellenistic culture by proclaiming Jesus as Lord and Savior.
Christianity's expansion led to the creation of hospitals, schools, and movements addressing social issues, influencing social ethics and aid to developing countries. The image of Jesus has also been a dominant theme in Western art, inspiring countless artistic creations.
In newly Christianized regions, the gospel message often takes on local expressions, with Jesus perceived as healer, liberator, and protector. This process transforms language, liturgy, and the arts, enriching Christianity's cumulative tradition. Even today, Jesus' story continues to be told through film, reflecting his enduring importance in Western culture.
7 Britannica Sources- biblical literature: Adaptation of the Christian message to the Hellenistic religious situation
- ethics: Ethics in the New Testament
- Latin American music: Early influences on folk music
- Jesus: Sources for the life of Jesus
- history of early Christianity: Origin and growth
- Christianity: Theological and humanitarian motivations
- Christology: The Middle Ages through the 19th century
Created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.
News •
Jesus (born c. 6â4 bce, Bethlehemâdied c. 30 ce, Jerusalem) was a religious leader revered in Christianity, one of the worldâs major religions. He is regarded by most Christians as the Incarnation of God. The history of Christian reflection on the teachings and nature of Jesus is examined in the article Christology.
Name and title
Ancient Jews usually had only one name, and, when greater specificity was needed, it was customary to add the fatherâs name or the place of origin. Thus, in his lifetime Jesus was called Jesus son of Joseph (Luke 4:22; John 1:45, 6:42), Jesus of Nazareth (Acts 10:38), or Jesus the Nazarene (Mark 1:24; Luke 24:19). After his death he came to be called Jesus Christ. Christ was not originally a name but a title derived from the Greek word christos, which translates the Hebrew term meshiah (Messiah), meaning âthe anointed one.â This title indicates that Jesusâ followers believed him to be the anointed son of King David, whom some Jews expected to restore the fortunes of Israel. Passages such as Acts of the Apostles 2:36 show that some early Christian writers knew that the Christ was properly a title, but in many passages of the New Testament, including those in the letters of the Apostle Paul, the name and title are combined and used together as Jesusâ name: Jesus Christ or Christ Jesus (Romans 1:1; 3:24). Paul sometimes simply used Christ as Jesusâ name (e.g., Romans 5:6).
Summary of Jesusâ life
Although born in Bethlehem, according to Matthew and Luke, Jesus was a Galilean from Nazareth, a village near Sepphoris, one of the two major cities of Galilee (Tiberias was the other). He was born to Joseph and Mary sometime between 6 bce and shortly before the death of Herod the Great (Matthew 2; Luke 1:5) in 4 bce. According to Matthew and Luke, however, Joseph was only legally his father. They report that Mary was a virgin when Jesus was conceived and that she âwas found to be with child from the Holy Spiritâ (Matthew 1:18; cf. Luke 1:35). Joseph is said to have been a carpenter (Matthew 13:55)âthat is, a craftsman who worked with his handsâand, according to Mark 6:3, Jesus also became a carpenter.
Luke (2:41â52) states that Jesus as a youth was precociously learned, but there is no other evidence of his childhood or early life. As a young adult, he went to be baptized by the prophet John the Baptist and shortly thereafter became an itinerant preacher and healer (Mark 1:2â28). In his mid-30s Jesus had a short public career, lasting perhaps less than one year, during which he attracted considerable attention. Sometime between 29 and 33 ceâpossibly 30 ceâhe went to observe Passover in Jerusalem, where his entrance, according to the Gospels, was triumphant and infused with eschatological significance. While there he was arrested, tried, and executed. His disciples became convinced that he rose from the dead and appeared to them. They converted others to believe in him, which eventually led to a new religion, Christianity.