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Jesus of Nazareth — the Christ

The central figure of the New Testament, born in Bethlehem and raised in Nazareth of Galilee. He called the twelve apostles, taught across Galilee and Judea, and was crucified in Jerusalem under Pontius Pilate. The four Gospels record his teaching, death and resurrection.

Role: Teacher · Messiah

Also known as: Jesus Christ, Yeshua, the Nazarene

Lived: c. 4 BC – c. AD 33

Belonged to: Genealogy of Jesus, Israelites (Hebrews), Tribe of Judah

Tribe/lineage: House of David

Born: Bethlehem

Death: Crucified at Jerusalem; resurrection proclaimed

What we know — and how we know it

Bible — stated in scripture (with verse) · 5 Archaeology — physical evidence · 1 Ancient writers — non-biblical testimony · 6 Scholarly — supported scholarly belief · 1

Origin & birthplace

BibleBorn in Bethlehem of Judea, in the days of Herod the king.

Matthew 2:1; Luke 2:4–7

↳ Bethlehem

BibleRaised in Nazareth of Galilee, and so called 'the Nazarene'.

Matthew 2:23

↳ Nazareth

Tribe & people

BibleOf the tribe of Judah and the royal line of David.

Matthew 1:1–2; Hebrews 7:14

Life, role & deeds

Reinhard Dietrich — CC BY-SA 4.0 (via Wikimedia Commons) ArchaeologyPontius Pilate, who condemned him, is named on a 1st-century inscription found at Caesarea in 1961 — independent evidence the prefect existed.

The 'Pilate Stone' (Israel Museum, Jerusalem; replica in situ at Caesarea Maritima), a limestone dedication naming '[Po]ntius Pilatus, praefectus Iudaeae', found reused in the Roman theatre in 1961 by the Italian expedition under Antonio Frova; ed. A. Frova, 'L'iscrizione di Ponzio Pilato a Cesarea', Rendiconti dell'Istituto Lombardo 95 (1961), 419-434.

↳ Caesarea

ScholarlyMost historians accept as near-certain that Jesus of Nazareth lived, was baptised, and was crucified under Pilate.

Mainstream historical-Jesus scholarship

Julien — Public domain (via Wikimedia Commons) Ancient writersThe Roman historian Tacitus, writing c. AD 116, records that 'Christus' was executed by the procurator Pontius Pilate in the reign of Tiberius — hostile testimony to Jesus's death.

Tacitus, Annals 15.44 (written c. AD 116), transmitted solely by the 11th-c. Second Medicean codex (Laurentianus 68.2), Biblioteca Medicea Laurenziana, Florence.

↳ Pontius Pilate

Scan by NYPL — Public domain (via Wikimedia Commons) Ancient writersThe Jewish historian Josephus names Jesus twice, including a note on the death of 'James, the brother of Jesus who was called Christ'.

Josephus, Jewish Antiquities 18.3.3 (§63-64, the disputed 'Testimonium Flavianum') and 20.9.1 (§200, the execution of 'James, the brother of Jesus who was called Christ'), written c. AD 93/94.

Howwi — CC BY-SA 3.0 (via Wikimedia Commons) Ancient writersPliny the Younger, governor in Bithynia c. AD 112, reports to Trajan that Christians met before dawn to sing 'to Christ as to a god' — outside evidence of the earliest worship of Jesus.

Pliny the Younger, Epistulae 10.96 (to the emperor Trajan), written c. AD 112 during his governorship of Bithynia-Pontus.

sf2000 — Public domain (via Wikimedia Commons) Ancient writersThe Babylonian Talmud preserves a hostile tradition that 'Yeshu' was hanged on the eve of Passover — a Jewish memory of the crucifixion.

Babylonian Talmud, tractate Sanhedrin 43a (baraita reporting that 'Yeshu' was hanged on the eve of Passover), redacted c. AD 500 from earlier tannaitic tradition.

Wikimedia Commons — Public domain (via Wikimedia Commons) Ancient writersLucian of Samosata, a 2nd-century satirist, mocks the Christians for worshipping 'the crucified sophist' who introduced their new rites.

Lucian of Samosata, De Morte Peregrini (The Passing of Peregrinus) 11-13, written c. AD 165.

Ancient writersThe historian Thallus, cited by Julius Africanus, is said to have explained the darkness at the crucifixion as a mere eclipse — arguing over the event even as he reports it.

Thallus (lost work; = FGrH 256 F1, Jacoby), cited by Julius Africanus, Chronographiae (3rd c. AD), fragment preserved via George Syncellus; ed. M. Wallraff, Iulius Africanus Chronographiae: The Extant Fragments (GCS n.s. 15, De Gruyter, 2007), F93

Prophecy & fulfilment

BibleHis birthplace fulfils Micah's prophecy that the ruler of Israel would come from Bethlehem.

Micah 5:2; Matthew 2:5–6

↳ Bethlehem

BibleHis suffering is foretold in the servant-song of Isaiah, written centuries earlier.

Isaiah 53

Where in scripture

Isaiah Matthew Mark Luke John Acts Romans 1 Corinthians 2 Corinthians Galatians Ephesians Philippians Colossians 1 Thessalonians 2 Thessalonians 1 Timothy 2 Timothy Titus Philemon Hebrews James 1 Peter 2 Peter 1 John 2 John Jude Revelation

Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin will conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.
Isaiah 7:14

It will sweep onward into Judah. It will overflow and pass through; it will reach even to the neck; and the stretching out of its wings will fill the width of your land, Immanuel.
Isaiah 8:8

The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham.
Matthew 1:1

[1] The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham. [2] Abraham became the father of Isaac. Isaac became the father of Jacob. Jacob became the father of Judah and his brothers. [3] Judah became the father of Perez and Zerah by Tamar. Perez became the father of Hezron. Hezron became the father of Ram. [4] Ram became the father of Amminadab. Amminadab became the father of Nahshon. Nahshon became the father of Salmon. [5] Salmon became the father of Boaz by Rahab. Boaz became the father of Obed by Ruth. Obed became the father of Jesse. [6] Jesse became the father of King David. David became the father of Solomon by her who had been Uriah’s wife. [7] Solomon became the father of Rehoboam. Rehoboam became the father of Abijah. Abijah became the father of Asa. …
Matthew 1 — opening verses — Genealogy and birth

The beginning of the Good News of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.
Mark 1:1

[1] The beginning of the Good News of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. [2] As it is written in the prophets, “Behold, I send my messenger before your face, who will prepare your way before you: [3] the voice of one crying in the wilderness, ‘Make ready the way of the Lord! Make his paths straight!’” [4] John came baptizing in the wilderness and preaching the baptism of repentance for forgiveness of sins. [5] All the country of Judea and all those of Jerusalem went out to him. They were baptized by him in the Jordan river, confessing their sins. [6] John was clothed with camel’s hair and a leather belt around his waist. He ate locusts and wild honey. [7] He preached, saying, “After me comes he who is mightier than I, the thong of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and loosen. …
Mark 1 — opening verses — Ministry begins

Behold, you will conceive in your womb, and give birth to a son, and will call his name ‘Jesus.’
Luke 1:31

Scripture quotations are from the World English Bible, a public-domain translation.

Isaiah 7:14 Isaiah 8:8 Matthew 1:1 Matthew 1:1 Matthew 1 Mark 1:1 Mark 1 Luke 1:31 Luke 2 John 1:17 John 1 Acts 1:1 Romans 1:1 1 Corinthians 1:1 2 Corinthians 1:2 Galatians 1:1 Ephesians 1:1 Philippians 1:1 Colossians 1:1 1 Thessalonians 1:1 2 Thessalonians 1:1 1 Timothy 1:1 2 Timothy 1:1 Titus 1:1 …and 16 more mentions

Family

In their own words — 541 recorded sayings

“And he said, Hagar, Sarai's servant, where have you come from and where are you going? And she said, I am running away from Sarai, my master's wife. And the angel said to her, Go back, and put yourself under her authority. And the angel of the Lord said, Your seed will be greatly increased so that it may not be numbered. And the angel of the Lord said, See, you are with child and will give birth to a son, to whom you will give the name Ishmael, because the ears of the Lord were open to your sorrow. And he will be like a mountain ass among men; his hand will be against every man and every…” — Genesis 16:8-12

“Who is this who comes from Edom, with blood-red robes from Bozrah? he whose clothing is fair, stepping with pride in his great strength? I whose glory is in the right, strong for salvation.” — Isaiah 63:1

“And when they were all together, with him, he gave them orders not to go away from Jerusalem, but to keep there, waiting till the word of the Father was put into effect, of which, he said, I have given you knowledge: For the baptism of John was with water, but you will have baptism with the Holy Spirit, after a little time.” — Acts 1:4-5

“And he said to them, It is not for you to have knowledge of the time and the order of events which the Father has kept in his control. But you will have power, when the Holy Spirit has come on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and all Judaea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” — Acts 1:7-8

“And he went down on the earth, and a voice said to him, Saul, Saul, why are you attacking me so cruelly? And he said, Who are you, Lord? And he said, I am Jesus, whom you are attacking:” — Acts 9:4-5

“And the boy's cry came to the ears of God; and the angel of God said to Hagar from heaven, Hagar, why are you weeping? have no fear, for the child's cry has come to the ears of God. Come, take your child in your arms, for I will make of him a great nation.” — Genesis 21:17-18

“But the voice of the angel of the Lord came from heaven, saying, Abraham, Abraham: and he said, Here am I. And he said, Let not your hand be stretched out against the boy to do anything to him; for now I am certain that the fear of God is in your heart, because you have not kept back your son, your only son, from me.” — Genesis 22:11-12