Who is Jesus?

5 min

Awaiting theological review

What you will understand today

Who Jesus of Nazareth was, historically — and who Christians believe he is.

In simple words

Jesus was a Jewish man who lived about two thousand years ago in what is now Israel and Palestine. He was born in Bethlehem, grew up in the small village of Nazareth and worked as a craftsman.

When he was about thirty, he began to travel, teach and heal. He spoke about God as a Father, welcomed people others avoided, and told unforgettable stories. After about three years he was crucified by the Romans in Jerusalem.

His followers said they met him alive again three days later. From that moment they proclaimed something astonishing: that this man is the Son of God — truly God and truly human.

Christ is not his surname. It is a title: the Greek word for Messiah, which means the Anointed One, the king Israel was waiting for.

Key Bible passage

Jesus asks his friends who they think he is. Peter's answer is the heart of Christian faith.

¹⁵Jesus saith to them: But whom do you say that I am? ¹⁶Simon Peter answered and said: Thou art Christ, the Son of the living God.
Matthew 16:15–16 · Douay-Rheims 1899 American Edition

What Christians believe about Jesus

Truly human
Born, hungry, tired, wept, died
Truly God
Forgave sins, calmed the storm, rose from the dead

Did you know?

Historical context

Jesus is mentioned outside the Bible: the Roman historian Tacitus, around 116, writes that Christus was executed by Pontius Pilate under the emperor Tiberius; the Jewish historian Josephus also mentions him.

Tacitus, Annals 15.44; Josephus, Jewish Antiquities 18 and 20(awaiting verification)

A common misconception

Christ was Jesus' surname.

In fact

Christ is a title, meaning Messiah or Anointed One. Jesus means God saves.

A question to take with you

Jesus asked: who do you say that I am? If you answered honestly today, what would you say?

One small thing for today

Read the first chapter of Mark's Gospel. It takes about five minutes.