Jesus Christ

Who Was Jesus Christ?

Jesus Christ was born around 6 B.C. in Bethlehem. While details of his early life remain sparse, his life and ministry are chronicled in the New Testament, which serves more as a theological text than a comprehensive biography. For Christians, Jesus is revered as the incarnation of God, and his teachings are embraced as a guide for leading a spiritually enriched life. Central to Christian belief is the conviction that Jesus sacrificed himself for the sins of humanity and subsequently rose from the dead.

Background and Early Life

The life of Jesus is primarily narrated through the four Gospels of the New Testament, written by Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. Unlike modern biographies, these texts are not detailed historical accounts but rather allegorical writings designed to inspire faith in Jesus as the Messiah and the incarnation of God. According to Christian belief, Jesus was born circa 6 B.C. in Bethlehem to Mary, a virgin betrothed to Joseph, a carpenter. Christians hold that Jesus was conceived through the Immaculate Conception, and his lineage is traced back to the house of David.

The Gospel of Matthew (2:1) notes that Jesus was born during the reign of Herod the Great. Fearing the threat of a new “king of the Jews,” Herod ordered the massacre of all male children under two years old in Bethlehem. However, an angel warned Joseph, who fled with Mary and Jesus to Egypt. After Herod’s death, the family returned and settled in Nazareth, Galilee.

Details about Jesus’ early life are sparse. The Gospel of Luke (2:41-52) provides an account of a 12-year-old Jesus who, after accompanying his parents to Jerusalem for Passover, was found three days later in the temple discussing spiritual matters with the elders. The New Testament contains brief references to Jesus working as a carpenter in his youth. It is commonly believed that Jesus began his public ministry at around age 30, following his baptism by John the Baptist, who recognized him as the Son of God.

Following his baptism, Jesus spent 40 days and nights in the Judean desert fasting and meditating. The Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke—collectively known as the Synoptic Gospels—chronicle the Temptation of Christ. During this period, the Devil tempted Jesus three times: to turn stones into bread, to throw himself from a mountain to be saved by angels, and to gain dominion over all the kingdoms of the world. Each time, Jesus resisted the Devil’s temptations and dismissed him.

Jesus’ Ministry

Jesus of Nazareth commenced his ministry in Galilee, traveling to neighboring villages and attracting a group of followers. Among these early disciples was Mary Magdalene, who is first introduced in the Gospel of Luke (8:1–3) and later appears in all four Gospels at the crucifixion. While not listed among the “12 disciples,” Mary Magdalene is recognized as a significant participant in Jesus’s ministry throughout his life and post-resurrection. According to the Gospels of Mark and John, she was the first to witness Jesus after his resurrection.

The Gospel of John (2:1-11) recounts an early event in Jesus’s ministry: a wedding in Cana, Galilee. During the celebration, the host ran out of wine, prompting Mary, Jesus’s mother, to seek his assistance. Initially reluctant, Jesus ultimately instructed the servants to fill large jars with water, which he transformed into wine of exceptional quality. This miracle, described in John’s Gospel as Jesus’s first sign, led to his disciples’ deeper belief in him.

Following the wedding, Jesus, his mother Mary, and his disciples journeyed to Jerusalem for Passover. At the temple, Jesus witnessed merchants and money changers exploiting the sacred space. Displaying a rare act of anger, he overturned their tables and used a whip to drive them out, declaring that the temple was meant to be a house of prayer, not a marketplace.

The Synoptic Gospels (Matthew, Mark, and Luke) document Jesus’s travels through Judea and Galilee, where he employed parables and miracles to reveal the fulfillment of prophecies and the nearness of God’s kingdom. As his reputation grew, more people began to follow him. On one occasion, Jesus delivered the Sermon on the Mount to a large crowd, presenting teachings known as the Beatitudes, which emphasize love, humility, and compassion.

As Jesus’s following expanded, so did public acclaim, with many acknowledging him as the Son of David and the Messiah. This public recognition alarmed the Pharisees, who accused him of operating through the power of Satan. Jesus countered their claims with a parable and criticized their logic, asserting that such accusations undermined the power of God, which only hardened their opposition.

Near Caesarea Philippi, Jesus engaged his disciples in a pivotal discussion. According to Matthew (16:13), Mark (8:27), and Luke (9:18), Jesus asked, “Who do you say that I am?” The question initially confused the disciples, but Peter declared, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Jesus affirmed Peter’s declaration as divinely revealed and appointed him as the leader of the church. Jesus also foretold his impending suffering, death, and resurrection.

A few days later, Jesus took three of his disciples to a high mountain for prayer. The Synoptic Gospels describe the Transfiguration, during which Jesus’s appearance transformed, his face shining like the sun and his clothes becoming white as light. Elijah and Moses appeared, conversing with Jesus, while a voice from a bright cloud proclaimed, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him.” This event affirmed Jesus’s divine nature and role as the Christ.

As Passover approached, Jesus entered Jerusalem riding on a donkey, greeted by crowds with palm branches who hailed him as the Son of David and the Son of God. This public acclaim alarmed the priests and Pharisees, who sought to halt his influence.

The final week of Jesus’s life in Jerusalem is detailed in all four Gospels. During this period, he raised Lazarus from the dead, confronted the temple’s merchants, and engaged in debates with high priests about his authority. He prophesied the destruction of the temple and the events to come. Concurrently, the chief priests and elders, led by Caiaphas, conspired to arrest Jesus. Judas Iscariot, one of the disciples, agreed to betray Jesus for thirty pieces of silver, facilitating the plot against him.

The Last Supper and the Events that Followed

During the Passover meal, Jesus gathered with his twelve disciples for what would be his final supper with them. At this meal, he delivered his last words of faith and prophesied the betrayal that would come from one of his disciples. In a private conversation, Jesus revealed to Judas Iscariot that he would be the betrayer. Jesus also foretold to Peter that before the rooster crowed the following morning, Peter would deny knowing him three times.

At the conclusion of the meal, Jesus instituted the Eucharist, a significant rite in Christianity that represents the new covenant between God and humanity.

Following the Last Supper, Jesus and his disciples went to the Garden of Gethsemane to pray. In his anguish, Jesus petitioned God to let this impending suffering and death pass from him, yet he expressed submission to God’s will. He asked a group of his disciples to stay awake and pray with him, but they fell asleep repeatedly.

The moment of betrayal arrived as soldiers and officials, led by Judas, came to arrest Jesus. Judas identified Jesus by giving him a kiss on the cheek. During the arrest, one of the disciples attempted to resist by drawing a sword and severing the ear of a soldier; however, Jesus rebuked him and miraculously healed the soldier’s injury. After Jesus’ arrest, many disciples fled in fear, while Jesus was taken to the high priest for questioning. He endured physical abuse and was spat upon for his silence.

Peter followed Jesus to the high priest’s residence and, while keeping to the shadows, was confronted three times by servants who inquired if he was a disciple of Jesus. Each time, Peter denied association with Jesus, and with each denial, a rooster crowed. When Jesus was led out of the house and made eye contact with Peter, Peter recalled Jesus’ prediction and wept in deep remorse.

Meanwhile, Judas, overwhelmed by his remorse, attempted to return the thirty pieces of silver he had been paid for his betrayal. The priests, dismissing his anguish, told him that his guilt was his own. Judas threw the silver into the temple and subsequently took his own life.

The Crucifixion

On the following day, Jesus was brought before the high court, where he was subjected to mockery, physical abuse, and condemnation for claiming to be the Son of God. He was then presented to Pontius Pilate, the Roman governor of Judea. The priests accused Jesus of declaring himself the “King of the Jews” and demanded his execution. Initially, Pilate sought to transfer responsibility to King Herod, but Jesus was returned to him. Pilate declared that he found no fault in Jesus. However, the priests argued that any claim of kingship was an affront to Caesar. Yielding to the pressure of the crowd, Pilate publicly washed his hands of responsibility but ordered Jesus’ crucifixion.

Roman soldiers then subjected Jesus to scourging and further beatings. They placed a crown of thorns upon his head and led him to Mount Calvary.

Jesus was crucified alongside two thieves, with one positioned on his left and the other on his right. The inscription above his head read, “Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews.” At the foot of the cross were his mother, Mary, and Mary Magdalene. The Gospels recount various events during the final hours of his life, including the mockery from soldiers and the crowd, Jesus’s suffering and utterances, and his final words. As Jesus hung on the cross, the sky darkened, and upon his death, an earthquake occurred, causing the temple’s veil to tear from top to bottom. A Roman soldier verified Jesus’s death by piercing his side with a spear, which yielded only water. Jesus was subsequently taken down from the cross and laid to rest in a nearby tomb.

The Resurrection and Ascension of Jesus

Three days following his crucifixion, Jesus’s tomb was discovered to be empty, marking his miraculous resurrection. He first appeared to Mary Magdalene, and subsequently to his mother, Mary. Both women relayed the news to the disciples, who had taken refuge in hiding. Jesus then made an appearance to the disciples, reassuring them and urging them not to fear. He instructed them to spread the gospel to all humanity.

After a period of forty days, Jesus led his disciples to Mount Olivet, located to the east of Jerusalem. There, he delivered his final teachings, promising them the forthcoming power of the Holy Spirit. Following this, Jesus ascended into heaven, enveloped by a cloud.