PERSON · PROPHET
Jesus of Nazareth
Jesus is presented throughout the New Testament as the fulfillment of the Law and the Prophets (Matthew 5:17) and as one who possessed authority over disease, demons, nature, and death, performing numerous healings and raising the dead (Matthew 8–9; John 11:43–44). He instituted the Lord's Supper as a perpetual memorial of his body and blood (Matthew 26:26–29; 1 Corinthians 11:23–25). He is identified in multiple New Testament texts as the promised Messiah and as bearing the divine title Kyrios (Lord) (Matthew 16:16; John 20:28; Philippians 2:9–11).
John 1:1–18
- Ministry
- c. 27–30 AD, Galilee and Judea
The Story
Before a single word of prophecy was spoken over Bethlehem, before the angel appeared to a young woman in Galilee, before the world itself was made — the Word already was. That is where John begins, not with a genealogy or a census, but with eternity.
1In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
John 1:1·KJV
The Gospel of John does not ease the reader in gently. It opens with a declaration that reframes everything that follows: the one who would be born, who would walk the roads of Galilee and weep at a graveside and die on a Roman cross, was himself the agent of all creation. In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
The story as it enters human history begins quietly enough. A young woman named Mary, living in Nazareth, received a visit from the angel Gabriel. Luke records the announcement plainly: she would conceive and bear a son, and he would be called the Son of the Highest.
31And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS. 32He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David:
Luke 1:31–32·KJV
Matthew, for his part, traces the genealogy from Abraham through David to Joseph, the carpenter to whom Mary was pledged — and then records that the child was conceived of the Holy Spirit before any union between them. Both evangelists are making the same point from different angles: this birth stands outside the ordinary run of things. The child born in Bethlehem, laid in a feeding trough because there was no room at the inn, was simultaneously the fulfillment of a long national memory and something for which that memory had not quite prepared anyone.
Luke alone preserves the glimpse of Jesus at twelve years old, sitting in the temple courts in Jerusalem, among the teachers, listening and asking questions, so that all who heard him were astonished at his understanding. When his parents found him after three days of searching, his answer to his mother carries its own quiet weight: he must be about his Father's business.
49And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father’s business?
Luke 2:49·KJV
The text tells us he returned to Nazareth with them, that he was subject to them, and that he grew in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and man. After that, Luke is silent about the years until his public ministry. What those years held, Scripture does not say.
Life & Legacy
Death
ScriptureJesus was condemned by Pontius Pilate under pressure from the chief priests and crowd, led to Golgotha, and crucified between two criminals (Matthew 27:22–38). He died on the cross, and a Roman soldier confirmed his death by piercing his side with a spear (John 19:33–34). He was buried in a new tomb belonging to Joseph of Arimathea (Matthew 27:57–60).
Matthew 27:22–60; John 19:16–42
Legacy
ScriptureScripture records that after his burial Jesus rose from the dead on the third day, was seen by Mary Magdalene and other disciples, and appeared to the eleven apostles (Matthew 28:1–10; John 20:19–20). He commissioned his disciples to make disciples of all nations before ascending into heaven (Matthew 28:18–20; Acts 1:9–11). His followers continued to proclaim his resurrection in Jerusalem and throughout the Roman world (Acts 2:1–47).
Matthew 28:1–20; Acts 1:1–11
Character
ScriptureThe Gospels record that Jesus had compassion on crowds (Matthew 9:36), wept at the tomb of Lazarus (John 11:35), and welcomed children (Mark 10:13–16). He taught with authority unlike the scribes (Matthew 7:28–29) and declared that he came not to be served but to serve (Mark 10:45). He also expressed grief and anguish in Gethsemane before his arrest (Matthew 26:36–46).
Matthew 9:36; Mark 10:45; John 11:35; Matthew 26:36–46
Significance
ScriptureJesus is presented throughout the New Testament as the fulfillment of the Law and the Prophets (Matthew 5:17) and as one who possessed authority over disease, demons, nature, and death, performing numerous healings and raising the dead (Matthew 8–9; John 11:43–44). He instituted the Lord's Supper as a perpetual memorial of his body and blood (Matthew 26:26–29; 1 Corinthians 11:23–25). He is identified in multiple New Testament texts as the promised Messiah and as bearing the divine title Kyrios (Lord) (Matthew 16:16; John 20:28; Philippians 2:9–11).
Matthew 5:17; Matthew 16:16; John 20:28; Philippians 2:9–11
DeathScripture
Jesus was condemned by Pontius Pilate under pressure from the chief priests and crowd, led to Golgotha, and crucified between two criminals (Matthew 27:22–38). He died on the cross, and a Roman soldier confirmed his death by piercing his side with a spear (John 19:33–34). He was buried in a new tomb belonging to Joseph of Arimathea (Matthew 27:57–60).
Matthew 27:22–60; John 19:16–42
LegacyScripture
Scripture records that after his burial Jesus rose from the dead on the third day, was seen by Mary Magdalene and other disciples, and appeared to the eleven apostles (Matthew 28:1–10; John 20:19–20). He commissioned his disciples to make disciples of all nations before ascending into heaven (Matthew 28:18–20; Acts 1:9–11). His followers continued to proclaim his resurrection in Jerusalem and throughout the Roman world (Acts 2:1–47).
Matthew 28:1–20; Acts 1:1–11
CharacterScripture
The Gospels record that Jesus had compassion on crowds (Matthew 9:36), wept at the tomb of Lazarus (John 11:35), and welcomed children (Mark 10:13–16). He taught with authority unlike the scribes (Matthew 7:28–29) and declared that he came not to be served but to serve (Mark 10:45). He also expressed grief and anguish in Gethsemane before his arrest (Matthew 26:36–46).
Matthew 9:36; Mark 10:45; John 11:35; Matthew 26:36–46
SignificanceScripture
Jesus is presented throughout the New Testament as the fulfillment of the Law and the Prophets (Matthew 5:17) and as one who possessed authority over disease, demons, nature, and death, performing numerous healings and raising the dead (Matthew 8–9; John 11:43–44). He instituted the Lord's Supper as a perpetual memorial of his body and blood (Matthew 26:26–29; 1 Corinthians 11:23–25). He is identified in multiple New Testament texts as the promised Messiah and as bearing the divine title Kyrios (Lord) (Matthew 16:16; John 20:28; Philippians 2:9–11).
Matthew 5:17; Matthew 16:16; John 20:28; Philippians 2:9–11
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