Jesus Christ
Israelite / Jew Jewish (tribe of Judah, house of David), raised in Nazareth of Galilee · Life of Christ · New Testament
- Also called
- Jesus, Jesus of Nazareth, Christ, Emmanuel, Son of God, Son of man
- Name means
- Jesus: 'the LORD saves'; Christ: 'the Anointed One'
- Role
- The Son of God; the promised Messiah and Saviour of the world
- When
- c. 6-4 BC (birth) to c. AD 30-33 (death and resurrection)
What they did
Born of the virgin Mary in Bethlehem, he grew up in Nazareth, preached the kingdom of God, healed the sick, forgave sinners, was crucified under Pontius Pilate, rose again the third day and ascended into heaven.
Why it matters: the purpose of their role
He is the centre of God's plan of redemption: he died for our sins and rose again so that all who believe, Jew and Gentile alike, may have eternal life.
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. John 3:16 (KJV)
Bible references
And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins. Matthew 1:21 (KJV)
For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. Luke 2:11 (KJV)
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. John 3:16 (KJV)
Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. John 14:6 (KJV)
For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures: 1 Corinthians 15:3-4 (KJV)
And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Philippians 2:8-11 (KJV)
Family
- Mother
- Mary
- Brothers / sisters
- James, Joses, Simon and Judas, and sisters, are called his brethren (Matthew 13:55-56); Christian traditions differ on the exact relationship
Conceived by the Holy Ghost and born of the virgin Mary; Joseph, Mary's husband, was his legal father (Matthew 1:18-25).
A fuller character study, with strengths, failures, lessons and a relationship diagram:
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