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Jesus

Portrait of Jesus

Jesus is portrayed in the Bible as the Son of God and the long-awaited Messiah whose coming fulfilled Old Testament prophecies about a deliverer for Israel and the nations. He lived a sinless life, taught about the Kingdom of God, performed miracles, and voluntarily died by crucifixion to atone for human sin before rising from the dead on the third day. This sequence of events is presented as the pivotal act of divine love that opens the way to forgiveness and eternal life for all who believe. The Gospels and New Testament letters treat these occurrences as the foundation of Christian faith and the guarantee of future resurrection for believers.

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Videos from BibleProject

John Overview

Jesus is the Word made flesh who reveals God and offers eternal life to all who believe.

The Messiah

The promised deliverer who confronts evil and rescues humanity through his life, death, and resurrection.

BibleProject is the author and owner of this content. To find more BibleProject resources, visit bibleproject.com. Bible Navigator is not affiliated with BibleProject.

Commentary

Covenants: God's Unbreakable Promises

Through Jesus, God made a new covenant based on grace.

You're Not Good Enough? Good.

Jesus came for the broken, the outcasts, and the failures.

Anxiety: God Is Not Frustrated With You

Even Jesus in Gethsemane was in deep distress.

Grief: Jesus Wept With You

The God of the universe understands what it's like to ache with loss.

The Sermon on the Mount: Radical Living

Jesus taught a way of living that turns the world's values upside down.

Commentary by Bible Navigator.

This commentary is for inspirational and educational purposes only. It is not professional counseling, therapy, medical advice, or a substitute for professional help. If you are in crisis or need support, please reach out to a licensed professional or call 988 (Suicide & Crisis Lifeline).

Biography

Born
c. 5-4 BC, Bethlehem
Died
c. AD 30-33, Jerusalem (crucified; resurrected)
Age
~33 years
Occupation
Rabbi, Carpenter
Tribe
Judah
Father
God (earthly: Joseph)
Mother
Mary
Era
New Testament
Nationality
Jewish, Galilean
Also Known As
Christ, Messiah, Emmanuel, Son of God, Son of Man

Family

Parents
God (earthly: Joseph) Mary
โ†“
Jesus
New Testament New Testament Era Other Luke

Did You Know?

1

Jesus' genealogy in Matthew intentionally incorporates four Gentile women. Tamar, Rahab, Ruth, and Uriah's wife. Highlighting the inclusion of outsiders in the messianic lineage contrary to typical Jewish genealogical emphasis on purity.

2

Jesus paid the annual temple tax by instructing Peter to catch a fish whose mouth contained the exact coin needed, a detail unique to Matthew 17 that blends miracle with practical provision in first-century Jewish life.

3

Jesus exclusively taught the crowds in parables to fulfill Isaiah's prophecy of hearing without understanding, reserving explanations for his disciples alone as described in Mark 4.

4

Jesus appeared to over five hundred people at one time after his resurrection, a mass sighting noted by Paul in 1 Corinthians 15 that provides early corroboration beyond the Gospel accounts.

5

Jesus had female disciples who traveled with and financially supported his ministry, an uncommon practice in first-century Judaism detailed in Luke 8:2-3 with specific names like Joanna and Susanna.

Key Passages

Birth of Jesus

Luke 2:1-20

The eternal God enters creation as a helpless infant born to peasants in a borrowed stable - the most stunning act of humility in history, fulfilling centuries of prophecy.

A1nd it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed.

2 (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.) 3 And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city. 4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:) 5 To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child. 6 And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. 7 And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn. 8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. 10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. 12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, 14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. 15 And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us. 16 And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. 17 And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child. 18 And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds. 19 But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart. 20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.

Read full chapter: Luke 2 โ†’

Sermon on the Mount

Matthew 5:1-16

Jesus redefines righteousness from external compliance to internal transformation, revealing the radical ethics of God's kingdom where the poor are blessed and enemies are loved.

A1nd seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain: and when he was set, his disciples came unto him:

2 And he opened his mouth, and taught them, saying, 3 Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 4 Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted. 5 Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth. 6 Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled. 7 Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy. 8 Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God. 9 Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God. 10 Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousnessโ€™ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11 Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. 12 Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you. 13 Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men. 14 Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. 15 Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. 16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

Read full chapter: Matthew 5 โ†’

Crucifixion

John 19:17-30

The central event of all Scripture - God's Son willingly dies to bear the sins of humanity. Every Old Testament sacrifice, prophecy, and promise points to this moment of substitutionary atonement.

A17nd he bearing his cross went forth into a place called the place of a skull, which is called in the Hebrew Golgotha:

18 Where they crucified him, and two other with him, on either side one, and Jesus in the midst. 19 And Pilate wrote a title, and put it on the cross. And the writing was, JESUS OF NAZARETH THE KING OF THE JEWS. 20 This title then read many of the Jews: for the place where Jesus was crucified was nigh to the city: and it was written in Hebrew, and Greek, and Latin. 21 Then said the chief priests of the Jews to Pilate, Write not, The King of the Jews; but that he said, I am King of the Jews. 22 Pilate answered, What I have written I have written. 23 Then the soldiers, when they had crucified Jesus, took his garments, and made four parts, to every soldier a part; and also his coat: now the coat was without seam, woven from the top throughout. 24 They said therefore among themselves, Let us not rend it, but cast lots for it, whose it shall be: that the scripture might be fulfilled, which saith, They parted my raiment among them, and for my vesture they did cast lots. These things therefore the soldiers did. 25 Now there stood by the cross of Jesus his mother, and his motherโ€™s sister, Mary the wife of Cleophas, and Mary Magdalene. 26 When Jesus therefore saw his mother, and the disciple standing by, whom he loved, he saith unto his mother, Woman, behold thy son! 27 Then saith he to the disciple, Behold thy mother! And from that hour that disciple took her unto his own home. 28 After this, Jesus knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the scripture might be fulfilled, saith, I thirst. 29 Now there was set a vessel full of vinegar: and they filled a spunge with vinegar, and put it upon hyssop, and put it to his mouth. 30 When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost.

Read full chapter: John 19 โ†’

Resurrection

John 20:1-18

Christ's bodily resurrection validates His claims, defeats death, and guarantees the future resurrection of all believers. Without this event, Paul says, Christian faith is worthless.

T1he first day of the week cometh Mary Magdalene early, when it was yet dark, unto the sepulchre, and seeth the stone taken away from the sepulchre.

2 Then she runneth, and cometh to Simon Peter, and to the other disciple, whom Jesus loved, and saith unto them, They have taken away the LORD out of the sepulchre, and we know not where they have laid him. 3 Peter therefore went forth, and that other disciple, and came to the sepulchre. 4 So they ran both together: and the other disciple did outrun Peter, and came first to the sepulchre. 5 And he stooping down, and looking in, saw the linen clothes lying; yet went he not in. 6 Then cometh Simon Peter following him, and went into the sepulchre, and seeth the linen clothes lie, 7 And the napkin, that was about his head, not lying with the linen clothes, but wrapped together in a place by itself. 8 Then went in also that other disciple, which came first to the sepulchre, and he saw, and believed. 9 For as yet they knew not the scripture, that he must rise again from the dead. 10 Then the disciples went away again unto their own home. 11 But Mary stood without at the sepulchre weeping: and as she wept, she stooped down, and looked into the sepulchre, 12 And seeth two angels in white sitting, the one at the head, and the other at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain. 13 And they say unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? She saith unto them, Because they have taken away my LORD, and I know not where they have laid him. 14 And when she had thus said, she turned herself back, and saw Jesus standing, and knew not that it was Jesus. 15 Jesus saith unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? whom seekest thou? She, supposing him to be the gardener, saith unto him, Sir, if thou have borne him hence, tell me where thou hast laid him, and I will take him away. 16 Jesus saith unto her, Mary. She turned herself, and saith unto him, Rabboni; which is to say, Master. 17 Jesus saith unto her, Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God. 18 Mary Magdalene came and told the disciples that she had seen the LORD, and that he had spoken these things unto her.

Read full chapter: John 20 โ†’

The Great Commission

Matthew 28:16-20

Jesus' final command sends His followers to all nations with His authority, His message, and His presence - defining the church's mission until He returns.

T16hen the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, into a mountain where Jesus had appointed them.

17 And when they saw him, they worshipped him: but some doubted. 18 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. 19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

Read full chapter: Matthew 28 โ†’