Jesus

Jesus was a 1st-century Jewish preacher and religious leader.

He lived in the Roman province of Judaea. He is the central figure of Christianity. Christianity is now the world's largest religion. Most modern scholars of antiquity agree that Jesus existed as a historical person. He is often called Jesus of Nazareth. This name refers to his home town. His name in Hebrew is Yeshua. This name means "God saves."

The word Christ is not a surname. It is a title meaning "the Messiah." This term comes from the Greek word *christos*. This is a translation of the Hebrew word *mashiach*. In ancient Judaism, sacred oil was used to anoint holy people. This process is called anointing. Early Christians used this title because they believed he was the promised Messiah.

Accounts of his life are found in the New Testament. The four canonical Gospels are the primary sources.

These are the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. Scholars often study these texts to understand the historical Jesus. Some researchers look at the historical reliability of these accounts. They examine how much the texts reflect actual events. The Gospels are often categorized as a form of ancient biography. This is the consensus among many modern scholars. Some groups also wrote other texts. These are called apocryphal writings. Examples include the Gospel of Thomas and the Gospel of Judas. Most scholars believe these were written later. They consider them less historically reliable than the canonical Gospels.

Matthew, Mark, and Luke are called the Synoptic Gospels. The term comes from the Greek words for "together" and "view."

This is because they share similar content and structure. They can be placed side by side for comparison. The Gospel of John is different. Scholars find no direct literary relationship between John and the Synoptics. The Synoptics emphasize different aspects of his life. Mark portrays Jesus as a tireless worker and servant. Matthew presents him as the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy. Luke depicts him as a savior with compassion for the needy. John describes him as the divine *Logos*, or Word.

Christian tradition provides a sequence of events from his life.

He was circumcised when he was eight days old. He was presented at the Temple in Jerusalem at forty days old. As a young adult, he was baptized by John the Baptist.

Following this, he fasted in the wilderness for 40 days and nights. He then began a public ministry as an itinerant teacher. This means he traveled from place to place. He taught using parables. A parable is a simple story used to explain a deeper truth.

He also engaged in healings and debated Jewish law. He appointed twelve followers as his apostles.

His life ended through a series of legal and political actions. According to the New Testament, he was arrested in Jerusalem. He was tried by the Sanhedrin.

He was then handed over to Roman authorities. The Roman prefect of Judaea, Pontius Pilate, ordered his crucifixion.

This was a method of execution used by the Romans. After his death, his followers believed he rose from the dead. This belief led to the formation of the early Christian Church. This community eventually grew into a global movement.

Different religions hold various views on Jesus. Christianity includes many specific theological beliefs. Most Christians worship him as the incarnation of God the Son. This is part of the doctrine of the Trinity. They believe he died as a sacrifice for atonement for sin. They also believe he will return during the Second Coming.

In Islam, Jesus is a prophet of God and the Messiah.

Muslims believe he was born of the virgin Mary. However, they do not believe he was God or the Son of God. Most Muslims believe God raised him to Heaven while he was still alive. Mainstream Judaism does not accept him as the Messiah. They believe he did not fulfill the required prophecies. Jesus is also revered in the Baháʼí and Druze faiths.

Jesus has had a massive impact on human civilization. The most widely used calendar era is based on his birth. This era is known as AD or CE. Christians celebrate his birth on December 25 as Christmas.

They commemorate his crucifixion on Good Friday. They celebrate his resurrection on Easter Sunday.

His life and the stories told about him continue to be studied by historians and theologians alike. His influence reaches into art, law, and the way we measure time.