Who was Jesus

 

Q. Who was Jesus?

Jesus of Nazareth, a central figure in Christianity, is considered by Christians to be the Son of God and the awaited Messiah prophesied in the Old Testament. Here’s a brief overview of his life:

 

Birth and Early Life:

Date and Place of Birth: Jesus was born around 4 to 6 BCE in Bethlehem, Judea, under Roman rule. His mother was Mary, and according to Christian belief, his birth was a virgin birth, fulfilling Old Testament prophecies.

Family: He was raised in Nazareth by Mary and her husband, Joseph. He had several siblings according to the New Testament.

 

Public Ministry:

Baptism and Temptation: At around age 30, Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist in the Jordan River. Following this, he spent 40 days fasting in the desert, where he was tempted by Satan but resisted.

Teachings and Miracles: Jesus began his ministry preaching about the Kingdom of God, love, forgiveness, and repentance. He performed numerous miracles, including healing the sick, raising the dead, and turning water into wine.

 

Death and Resurrection:

Crucifixion: Jesus’ teachings and actions, including his challenge to religious authorities and his claim to be the Son of God, led to tension with Jewish leaders and Roman authorities. Around 30-33 CE, he was arrested, tried, and crucified under the Roman governor Pontius Pilate.

Resurrection: Christians hold that Jesus triumphantly emerged from the tomb on the third day following his crucifixion, an extraordinary event commemorated each year as Easter. This resurrection is seen as the cornerstone of Christian faith, symbolizing victory over sin and death.

 

Legacy:

Ascension: After appearing to his disciples for forty days following his resurrection, Jesus ascended to heaven.

Impact: Jesus’ teachings form the basis of Christianity, which has grown to become one of the world’s major religions. His life and messages continue to influence billions of people around the world.

 

In Other Religions:

Islam: In Islam, Jesus (known as `Isa) is considered a prophet and a messenger of God, but not divine. Muslims believe in his miraculous birth and his role in delivering God's message, but they do not recognize him as the Son of God or as part of a divine trinity.

Judaism: Jesus is viewed as a historical figure and teacher but is not recognized as the Messiah or a divine figure in Jewish tradition.

Overall, Jesus is a figure whose life and teachings have had a profound and lasting impact on religious thought, culture, and history.

FAQ

Q. What's the true date of Jesus' birth?

The exact date of Jesus' birth is not known, but it is generally estimated to have occurred between 4 and 6 BCE. This estimation is based on historical and astronomical data, including:

Historical Records: The Gospels mention that Jesus was born during the reign of King Herod the Great, who died in 4 BCE. This suggests that Jesus must have been born before this date.

Astronomical Data: Some scholars have used astronomical phenomena, such as the appearance of the Star of Bethlehem, to estimate the time of Jesus' birth. These estimates still place his birth in the early 1st century BCE.

Calendar Calculations: The Gregorian calendar, which is widely used today, was established long after Jesus' time. The designation of "Anno Domini" (AD) for years following Jesus' birth was developed by the monk Dionysius Exiguous in the 6th century CE, but modern scholarship often places Jesus' actual birth a few years before this system starts.

While December 25th is celebrated as the traditional date of Jesus' birth in Christianity, this date was chosen later and does not reflect the historical date of the event.

 

Q. "Have you ever wondered about the height of Jesus?"

The exact height of Jesus is not known, as the New Testament and historical records do not provide specific details about his physical appearance. Estimates based on historical and anthropological research suggest that Jesus, being a Jewish man from the 1st century CE in the region of Galilee, would likely have been around 5'1" to 5'5" (155 to 165 cm) tall. This estimation is based on the average height of men in that era and region. However, these figures are speculative and not based on concrete evidence.

 

Q. "Whose actions orchestrated the tragic crucifixion of Jesus Christ?"

The death of Jesus Christ is a complex event involving multiple parties:

Roman Authorities: Jesus was crucified under the Roman governor Pontius Pilate. The Roman authorities were responsible for executing him, as crucifixion was a Roman method of capital punishment.

Jewish Leaders: According to the Gospels, Jewish religious leaders, particularly the high priests and members of the Sanhedrin (the Jewish council), played a significant role in the events leading to Jesus' crucifixion. They accused him of blasphemy and sought his death, bringing him before Pilate.

Political Pressure: Pilate, although he found no fault in Jesus and seemed reluctant to condemn him, eventually succumbed to the pressure from the crowd and the Jewish leaders. The crowd, incited by the leaders, demanded Jesus' crucifixion.

In summary, while the Roman authorities carried out the execution, the Jewish leaders were instrumental in the events that led to Jesus' trial and crucifixion. The New Testament portrays a complex interplay of political, religious, and social factors in Jesus' death.

 

Q. Could Jesus have been considered a Palestinian?

Jesus was born and lived in the region historically known as Judea, which is part of modern-day Israel and Palestine. The term "Palestinian" as it is used today refers to a specific national and cultural identity that developed long after Jesus' time.

In the 1st century CE, the region was under Roman rule and was part of the province of Judea. Jesus was a Jewish man who lived in this region, so he was ethnically Jewish and culturally part of the Jewish communities of that area.

The concept of "Palestinian" identity is a modern political and national designation that came into prominence in the 20th century. Therefore, while Jesus lived in the geographical area that is now part of Palestine, he would not have been identified as a Palestinian in the contemporary sense of the term.

 

Q. Do Jewish people view Jesus Christ as a significant figure in their faith?

In general, Judaism does not accept Jesus Christ as the Messiah or as a divine figure. Here’s a brief overview of Jewish perspectives on Jesus:

Messiah: In Jewish tradition, the Messiah is expected to be a future leader who will restore the Jewish kingdom, bring peace, and gather all Jews back to the land of Israel. Jews do not believe that Jesus fulfilled these messianic prophecies.

 

Q. At what age did Jesus leave this world?

Jesus is traditionally believed to have been around 33 years old at the time of His crucifixion. This estimate is based on the chronological details provided in the New Testament, which suggest that Jesus began His public ministry around the age of 30 and that His ministry lasted for approximately three years before His death. The exact age can vary slightly depending on different interpretations and historical calculations, but 33 is the most commonly accepted age.

 

Q.  What is the location of Jesus' final resting place?

According to Christian tradition, Jesus was buried in a tomb located in Jerusalem. The New Testament describes Jesus being laid in a new tomb, which belonged to Joseph of Arimathea, a wealthy member of the Jewish council who had prepared it for his own use but offered it for Jesus’ burial.

The exact location of Jesus' tomb is a subject of historical and religious significance, with several key sites in Jerusalem being associated with His burial:

The Church of the Holy Sepulcher: This is the most widely accepted and traditionally revered site. Located in the Old City of Jerusalem, it is considered by many Christians to be the place where Jesus was crucified, buried, and resurrected. The church has been a major pilgrimage site for centuries.

The Garden Tomb: Some Protestant denominations and scholars propose this site, located just outside the Old City walls, as an alternative location. The Garden Tomb is a relatively recent site that has become popular among some Christians as a possible location of Jesus' burial, though it is not traditionally accepted.

Both locations are significant for different reasons, but the Church of the Holy Sepulcher remains the primary site recognized by most Christian traditions.

 

Q.  What is the Jesus actual name?

Jesus' real name in His native language was Yeshua (ישוע), which is a common Hebrew name. "Yeshua" is derived from the Hebrew name "Yehoshua," meaning "Yahweh is salvation" or "God saves."

In Greek, which is the language of the New Testament, "Yeshua" is transliterated as "Iesous" (Ιησούς). In English, this name is rendered as "Jesus." The variation in names reflects the translation and transliteration processes through different languages and cultures.

 

Q.  What was the native tongue of Jesus?

Jesus primarily spoke Aramaic, a Semitic language commonly used in the region of Judea during the first century CE. Aramaic was the everyday language of the Jewish people in Palestine at that time.

In addition to Aramaic, Jesus would have also been familiar with Hebrew, which was used in religious and scholarly contexts, particularly for reading the Scriptures. Greek was another important language in the eastern Mediterranean region due to the influence of the Hellenistic culture and the Roman Empire, and Jesus might have had some knowledge of it, especially for interactions with non-Jews or in larger urban areas.

 

Q. Who were the twelve devoted followers of Jesus?

The twelve disciples, also known as the twelve apostles of Jesus, are:

Peter (originally named Simon)

James (the son of Zebedee)

John (the brother of James)

Andrew (the brother of Peter)

Philip

Bartholomew (also known as Nathanael)

Matthew (also known as Levi)

Thomas (also known as Didymus)

James (the son of Alphaeus)

Thaddaeus (also known as Judas, the son of James, or Lebbaeus)

Simon (the Zealot)

Judas Iscariot (the one who betrayed Jesus)