Jesus
Jesus of Nazareth is the central figure of the New Testament. The four Gospels tell of his birth, his teaching and miracles, his death on a cross, and his rising from the dead.
Jesus was born in Bethlehem and grew up in Nazareth, a town in Galilee. When he was about 30 years old, he began to preach, teach and heal. He called followers, told parables, and taught about the kingdom of God.
Religious leaders in Jerusalem opposed him. At the Passover he was arrested, tried, and crucified under Pontius Pilate. The Gospels say that on the third day he rose from the dead and appeared to his followers. After 40 days he was taken up into heaven.
Christians believe Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, who came to save his people from their sins (Matthew 1:21). John says he wrote his Gospel so that readers would believe this and have life in Jesus' name (John 20:31).
Jesus' Story
Follow his life from Bethlehem to his return to heaven. Read each event in Scripture, and see how it all fits together.
- Part 1 · 7 eventsBirthThe angel's message to Mary, Jesus' birth in Bethlehem, and his first days.An Angel Visits Mary · An Angel Speaks to Joseph · The Birth of Jesus …
- Part 2 · 2 eventsEarly LifeGrowing up in Nazareth. The Gospels tell only one story from these years.Growing Up in Nazareth · The Boy Jesus at the Temple
- Part 3 · 8 eventsMinistry BeginsJohn prepares the way. Jesus is baptized, is tempted, and calls his first followers.John the Baptist Prepares the Way · The Baptism of Jesus · Tempted in the Wilderness …
- Part 4 · 20 eventsGalilee MinistryTeaching, healing and miracles in Galilee, around Capernaum and the Sea of Galilee.Rejected at Nazareth · Calling the Fishermen · A Sabbath in Capernaum …
- Part 5 · 13 eventsJourney to JerusalemJesus sets out for Jerusalem, teaching and healing along the way.Setting Out for Jerusalem · Sending Out More Disciples · Mary and Martha …
- Part 6 · 15 eventsFinal WeekJesus enters Jerusalem, teaches in the temple, shares the Last Supper, and is arrested and tried.The Triumphal Entry · Clearing the Temple · Questions in the Temple …
- Part 7 · 3 eventsCrucifixionJesus is crucified, dies, and is buried.The Crucifixion · The Death of Jesus · The Burial
- Part 8 · 5 eventsResurrectionThe empty tomb and Jesus' first appearances to his followers.The Empty Tomb · Jesus Appears to Mary Magdalene · The Road to Emmaus …
- Part 9 · 5 eventsAfter the ResurrectionMore appearances, the Great Commission, and Jesus taken up into heaven.Breakfast by the Sea · Peter Restored · The Great Commission …
The four Gospels do not always tell events in the same order, and they rarely give dates. This timeline follows a common way of reading the accounts together. Where the order or the details differ, the event says so.
Quick Links
Jump straight to what Jesus taught, did and prayed.
- Parables45 · Stories Jesus told to teach about God's kingdom
- Miracles35 · Healings, power over nature, and raising the dead
- Major Teachings20 · Sermons and conversations at the heart of his message
- Prayers of Jesus21 · The times the Gospels show Jesus praying
- “I Am” Statements14 · How Jesus described himself in John's Gospel
Key facts
Tap a reference to read the verses.
- Born
- Bethlehem, in Judea
- Grew up
- Nazareth, in Galilee
- Parents
- Mary, his mother, and Joseph, her husband
- Matthew and Luke say Mary was with child by the Holy Spirit before she and Joseph came together.
- Family line
- Descended from King David
- Brothers and sisters
- James, Joses, Simon and Judas are named as his brothers. He also had sisters.
- Christians differ on how these brothers and sisters were related to Jesus.
- Trade
- A carpenter
- Began his ministry
- About 30 years old
- Home during his ministry
- Capernaum, by the Sea of Galilee
- Length of ministry
- John mentions at least three Passovers during it
- The Bible does not state the length. Many take these Passovers to mean about three years.
- Followers
- Twelve apostles he chose, and many other disciples
- Death
- Crucified at Golgotha, near Jerusalem, under Pontius Pilate
- Resurrection
- Raised on the third day
- Ascension
- Taken up into heaven after 40 days, near Bethany
- Names and titles
- Jesus, Christ (Messiah), Immanuel, Son of God, Son of Man, Lord
- John explains that Messiah and Christ are the same title (John 1:41).