Outline of the life of Jesus

The following statements result from applying the methodology indicated on the previous page.

Background

• Jesus was a Jew from Nazareth in Galilee.
• His father's name was Joseph.
• He had at least two brothers: James and Judas.
• He was a contemporary of John the Baptist.

Ministry

• He became a wandering teacher in Galilee.
• He attracted many disciples, amongst whom James (his brother), Peter and John were the leaders.
• In prayer he addressed God as "Father" and taught his disciples to do the same.
• The main theme of his teaching was the "kingdom of God".
• He believed the kingdom of God would come to earth in his lifetime.

Messiah

• He came to believe that he was the Messiah (i.e "Christ").
• He was anointed as the Messiah, the king of Israel.
• He entered Jerusalem riding on a donkey thus deliberately claiming fulfilment of the messianic prophecy in Zech 9:9.

Death

• The messianic enthusiasm of Jesus and his followers came to the attention of the Roman authorities.
• Deeming Jesus to be a threat to peace, they arrested him.
• They charged him with claiming to be "the king of the Jews".
• The governor Pilate found him guilty and condemned him to death.
• So Jesus was crucified by Roman soldiers.