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'''Jesus Christ''' or '''Jesus of [[Nazareth]]''' (c. [[4 BC]] - c. [[30]]) was a [[Judaism|Jewish]] teacher and healer; [[Crucifixion|crucified]] during the reign of [[Roman Empire|Roman]] [[Tiberius|Emperor Tiberius]]. According to the [[Christianity|Christian]] belief, he is the "only begotten" [[Son of God]], whose [[incarnation]], death, and [[resurrection]] bring the gift of [[salvation]] to the world. He is also considered a [[prophet]] by various other [[religion]]s, including [[Islam]], although other religions do not generally believe that Christ was divine. 

== The Name ''Jesus Christ'' ==

''Jesus'' is derived from the [[Latin]] ''Iesus'', which in turn comes from the [[Greek language|Greek]] ''Iesous'' (Ιησους).  The Greek form is a transliteration of the [[Aramaic]] name ''Yeshua'' (ישוע), a short form of [[Hebrew]] ''Yehoshua'' (יהושע), which means ''the Lord is salvation'' or ''Jehovah saves''. The English form of ''Yehoshua'' is ''Joshua''.

The title ''Christ'' comes, via Latin, from the Greek ''Christos'' (Χριστος), which means ''anointed''. The Greek form is a literal translation of ''Messiah'' from Hebrew ''mashiyakh'' (משיח) or Aramaic ''m'shikha'' (משיחא).

In [[Arabic language|Arabic]], Jesus is known as the prophet ''Isa al Masih''.

Jesus spoke [[Aramaic]] as it was the common language of Galilee and Judea; thus, during his life, he was probably known as ''Yeshua''.  As a tradesman in the Hellenized Galilee, he probably also spoke business Greek, and his study of the scriptures would have acquainted him with Hebrew as well.

==The Historical Jesus of Nazareth==

===Sources===

The major historical sources for the life and career of Jesus are the four canonical [[Gospel]]s of [[Gospel of Matthew|Matthew]], [[Gospel of Mark|Mark]], [[Gospel of Luke|Luke]], and [[Gospel of John|John]], which present a narrative of Jesus's ministry, passion, execution, and resurrection.  In addition, Matthew and Luke present narratives of Jesus's infancy.

According to modern scholarship, which is in rough agreement with the dating given by [[Irenaeus of Lyons]] (c. [[185]]), these documents were written within a span of time from about 30 to 70 years after the crucifixion of Jesus (i.e. within A.D. [[60]]-[[100]]).  Some of the details of Jesus's life and teachings, however, are attested prior to the writing of the Gospels, in the letters of [[Paul of Tarsus|Paul]], which were written about 20 to 30 after the crucifixion (in the [[50s]] and [[60s]]).

Non-canonical Christian sources for Jesus are not as helpful concerning the historical Jesus because they are either derived from the canonical gospels (e.g. [[Gospel of Peter]]), lack narrative (e.g. [[Gospel of Thomas]]), are fragmentary (e.g. [[Egerton Gospel]]), or are gnosticizing with a heavy emphasis on theology (e.g. [[Gospel of Truth]]).

Non-Christian sources for Jesus include [[Josephus]], [[Suetonius]], [[Tacitus]], and [[Pliny the Younger]], written between [[93]] and [[112]], but these brief notices basically confirm only the existence and execution of Jesus (and his founding of Christianity) at the around time the Gospels state (e.g. under governorship of [[Pontius Pilate]]).  Early Jewish sources concerning Jesus are even less detailed, indicating that Jesus had some disciples, that he was executed, and that he practiced some form of sorcery.

===Date of Birth===

The exact month or day or even the year of Jesus's birth cannot now be exactly ascertained. Due to a mistaken calculation based on the Roman Calendar by [[Dionysius Exiguus]] in [[525]], it was long held that Jesus was born in the year [[1|A.D. 1]].  

Because Matthew states that Jesus was born while [[Herod the Great]] was still alive and that Herod ordered the slaughter of infants two years old and younger (Matt. 2:16), and based on the correct (contra Dionysius Exiguus) date of Herod's death in [[4 BC]], many chronologists conclude that the year [[6 BC|6 before the Christian era]] was the most likely year of Jesus's birth.  Consequently, Jesus would have been about four to six years old in the year A.D. 1.  On the other hand, [[Luke the Evangelist|Luke]]'s account places Jesus's birth during a census conducted under the goverorship of [[Quirinius]], who, according to [[Josephus]], conducted a census in A.D. [[6]]. In order to reconcile the two Gospel accounts, some have suggested that Josephus was mistaken or that [[Quirinius]] had a separate period of rule under Herod.  In any case, the actual date of his birth remains uncertain.

In the [[6th century]], Dionysius Exiguus proposed to make the birth of Jesus the basis of the calendar but he miscalculated the death of Herod.  Years reckoned in this way are labelled "A.D.", which stands for ''[[Anno Domini]]'', meaning "in the year of the Lord" in Latin.  Since many non-Christians have come to use this calendar, an alternative notation "C.E." is sometimes used.  It is presently uncertain what the original meaning of this abbreviation was, although today it is taken to mean either the [[Common Era]] or the Christian Era: many references cite both.

==Jesus' Life==

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===Date of Death===

Based on inferences from gospel accounts, Jesus was executed by crucifixion on Friday, 14th day of the Jewish month of [[Nisan]] under the administration of [[Pontius Pilate]].  Pontius Pilate held his position from [[26]]-[[36]] and the only years in which Nisan 14 fell on a Friday are [[27]], [[33]], and [[36]] and possibly in [[30]] depending on when the new moon would have been visible in Jerusalem.  Scholars have defended all of the dates.

== Jesus as Messiah ==

[[Christianity]] as we have come to know it emerged from [[Judaism]] in the first century of the Common Era. The first Christians were Jews, and likely subscribed to Jewish beliefs and practices common at the time.  Among these was a belief that a [[messiah]] -- a descendant of [[King David]] -- would restore the monarchy and Jewish independence.  According to mainstream Jewish beliefs, the failure of Jesus to restore the Kingdom, and his crucifixion by Romans, negated claims that he was the messiah (since most Jews do not accept that Jesus was the messiah, they reject the use of the full (Christian) name.  See the [[Jewish eschatology|Jewish conception of the messiah]] for a more detailed discussion of the Jewish understanding of the messiah).  Nevertheless, many of Jesus's followers -- perhaps inspired by encounters with Jesus after his crucifixion and entombment, but also drawing on alternative interpretations of Biblical passages -- redefined the concept of messiah to encompass the resurrection and the promise of a second coming.  In addition to this alternative understanding of the messiah, early Christians brought from Judaism its scriptures, fundamental doctrines such as [[monotheism]], and other beliefs and practices. See [[Comparing and contrasting Judaism and Christianity]].  

== The Christian Account of Jesus==

The Christian account of Jesus is represented both in texts and in [[Images of Jesus|images]].

Jesus is the central focus of attention and worship in Christianity and is held by most Christians to be the [[Messiah]] foretold in the [[Old Testament|Hebrew Bible]]. More importantly he is believed to be the saviour of mankind, the son of God the Father, and God himself.  The vast majority of self-described Christians regard belief in the divinity of Jesus to be part of what defines [[Christianity]]. According to traditional Christian theology, Jesus is one of the three persons of the [[Trinity]], along with [[God]] the Father and the [[Holy Spirit]]. (See also [[Christology]].)

Of the four [[Gospels]], the [[Nativity]] is mentioned only in the [[Gospel of Matthew]] and the [[Gospel of Luke]]. Both infancy accounts support the doctrine of the [[Virgin Birth]], in which Jesus was miraculously conceived in his mother's womb by the Holy Spirit, when his mother was still a virgin.  According to these accounts, Jesus was born as [[Joseph the Betrothed|Joseph]] and [[Mary, the mother of Jesus|Mary]], his betrothed, were visiting [[Bethlehem]] from their native [[Nazareth]].  Mary is also commonly referred as "the [[Blessed Virgin Mary|Virgin Mary]]" or, as the Roman Catholics and Eastern Orthodox call her, "Mother of God".

Certain details of the two accounts, however,  appear to be at variance with each other.  For example, Luke reports that the parents lived at Nazareth, but, according to Matthew, they settled in Nazareth after their return from [[Egypt]], an event that Luke does not mention.  Matthew further explained that Joseph and Mary fled with the [[baby]] Jesus to Egypt after they had been warned by an angel for the [[Massacre of the Innocents]]. 

The Bible tells little more about Jesus's childhood or young adulthood. However, by the time he reached his 30s, the gospels all report that he had become known as a religious teacher.

=== The message and ministry of Jesus in the gospels ===

When Jesus was asked about the most important commandment in the law of Moses 
Jesus answered (Mark 12:29-30) that the most important commandment (echoing Deut. 6:5) is to love God with all the heart, the soul, the mind and one's strength and at the same time he says that the commandment to love one's neighbor as oneself (found in Lev. 19:18) is as important.  Jesus's messages also showed a strong concern for the poor.

Although the [[synoptic gospel]]s focus mainly on the last year of Jesus's ministry, the [[Gospel of John]] indicates that his ministry spanned at least three passovers from the time he was a disciple of [[John the Baptist]] until his crucifixion.

After traveling as wandering [[rabbi]] and performing [[miracle]]s for three years, he was convicted by the occupying Roman government of claiming to be king of the Jews. Shortly thereafter, he was crucified on Golgotha and died. His arrest was precipitated after, seeing merchants doing money-changing at the [[Temple in Jerusalem]], he used a whip to drive out the animals being bought and sold by the merchants, released the doves, and overturned their tables to scatter their coins.

While hanging on the cross, Jesus asked, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" Many readers find this theologically perplexing, believing that God left him to die on the cross. Others see this as a quotation of the first verse of Psalm 22, a common way at the time to refer to an entire Psalm. That Psalm begins with cries of despair, but ends on a note of hope and trust in God's triumph and deliverance. It also contains several details that have been taken to apply to Jesus' crucifixion, such as the soldiers casting lots for Jesus' garments and leaving his bones unbroken.

According to the [[New Testament]], he [[Resurrection of Jesus Christ|rose from the dead]] on the third day following his crucifixion and appeared to his disciples; the [[book of Acts]] reports that forty days later he ascended bodily into [[Heaven]].  [[Saint Paul|Paul's]] letters to the [[Romans]], [[Ephesians]] and [[Colossians]], and the letter to the [[Hebrews]] claim that Jesus presently exercises all authority in heaven and on earth for the sake of the Church, until all of the earth is made subject to his rule through the preaching of the Gospel.  Based on the [[New Testament]], Christians believe that Jesus will return bodily from heaven at the end of the age, to judge the living and the dead.

Later Christian writings hold that Jesus was not only the son of God, but God Himself. Many non-Christian historians do not see this paradox addressed within the New Testament, and hold that this is because during the life of Jesus he never claimed to be God, or part of a [[Trinity]]. Christians continue to see many passages in the [[Gospel]]s and other parts of the New Testament affirming the divinity of Jesus Christ.

===Jesus's Work===

The New Testament reports that Jesus's message concentrated on benevolence towards others and called on his followers to abandon their worldly concerns, make disciples, and wait for the second coming of their Saviour when he would establish the kingdom of God on Earth. The Early fathers of the church further expanded on this message, and much of the rest of the New Testament is concerned with the meaning of Jesus's death and resurrection, and its implications for humanity. One idea that has remained constant through Christian theology is the idea that humanity was redeemed, saved, or given an opportunity to achieve salvation through Jesus's death. "Jesus died for our sins" is a common Christian aphorism.

However, that idea of "salvation" has been interpreted in many ways, and a wide spectrum of Christian viewpoints exist and have existed throughout history up to the present day. 

==Other Viewpoints==

[[Islam]] recognizes Jesus (''Isa'', in Arabic) as one of the greatest prophets and the forecasted [[Messiah]], but not as God or son of God. Muslims believe in the [[Virgin Birth]], but believe that God caused Mary to conceive without a father as proof of God's power, not of Jesus' divinity.  According to Islam, Jesus was never crucified and did not die; instead he was raised into heaven still physically alive, and made the illusion that he died on the cross to fool his enemies. [[Muslim|Muslims]] believe that Jesus will physically return to the world as prophesied and fight the [[Antichrist]], end all wars, convert the [[Jew|Jews]] and [[Christian|Christians]] to [[Islam]], stop the eating of pork, and usher in a messianic era of peace.

In addition to believing that Jesus is the Messiah, members of the [[Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints]] (the ''Mormons'') believe that Jesus appeared in the [[Western Hemisphere]] after his resurrection.  Church members believe that Jesus taught the ancestors of modern [[Native Americans]], whom they believe to be one of the [[lost tribes of Israel]].  In contrast to belief in the [[Trinity]], LDS members believe that Jesus is a member of the [[Godhead]] along with God and the Holy Ghost, but believe that they are all separate individuals.

The [[Jehovah's Witnesses]], and some other [[nontrinitarian]] churches, affirm that Jesus is only the first spiritual being created by [[Jehovah]], and as such are [[Arianism|Arian]] in their understanding of [[Christology]].  The Jehovah's Witnesses also claim that he is the archangel Michael mentioned in the Old Testament.

The [[Baha'i]] consider Jesus to be the Son of God due to his divine conception. He promised to return to humankind once again, though it's for debate whether that will be in physical or spiritual form, or possibly both.

[[Hinduism]] is divided on the issue of Jesus. Some share the position of atheists; he was just a man, if he existed at all. Others say he was a great teacher, and some speculate he visited [[India]] and studied [[Hinduism]]/[[Buddhism]] during the unaccounted for years in the [[Bible]]. Some Hindus go as far as to equate Jesus with an [[avatar]] (incarnation of God on earth), along with [[Rama]] and [[Krishna]]. 

[[Arianism|Arius]] thought that Jesus was a creation of God, i.e he was not to be put on the same level as the Father. His doctrine was condemned by the [[First Ecumenical Council]] in 325, but was very widespread during the 4th century until it was condemned again at the [[Second Ecumenical Council]] in 381.

== Fictional Portrayals of Jesus Christ ==

Various authors and filmmakers have created fictional portrayals of Jesus Christ and his life.  A number of storytellers have wanted to portray an accurate depiction of what his life is believed to have been like, while others have used the persona of Jesus Christ as a narrative device to make a literary point and develop a story's theme.  Because of the devotion of many people to the idea of Jesus Christ, fictional portrayals of Christ have been, almost without exception, fraught with controversy.  For further details, see the Wikipedia entry on [[fictional portrayals of Jesus Christ]].

== Historicity ==

Starting with the [[Dutch Radical School]] in the late [[19th century]], a small number of people have proposed that there was no historical Jesus at all.  This position however, is considered to be fringe scholarship among historians and Biblical scholars.

The most prolific of those denying the historical existence of Jesus is a professor of German, [[George Albert Wells]], who argues that Jesus was originally a myth.  Another example is [[Earl Doherty]], who suggests that the apostle Paul preached a totally different Christ derived straight from reading the Hebrew (Old Testament) Bible, who was crucified from the beginning of time (or at some fuzzy distant time), and never heard of or was aware of any real person from Nazareth or Bethlehem that had lived and died recently; the Jesus of Nazareth character, made up after his time is a composite of the Old Testament prophecies with numerous individuals who lived and myths that were common currency during the late Hellenistic age, and was invented because the Romans had destroyed Jerusalem and only a recent visit by Christ could explain that to die-hard Bible believers.  Others contend that aspects of the story of Christ were derived from popular mystery religions in the Roman Empire at that time period. These religions worshipped saviour figures such as [[Isis]], [[Horus]], [[Osiris]], [[Dionysus]] and [[Mithras]], and Christian [[Gnosticism]] which flourished in the 2nd and 3rd centuries openly combined Christian imagery and stories with the beliefs and practices of Mediterranean mystery religions.  Proponents of this view generally date the gospels much later than mainstream scholars and assert textual corruption in the passages supporting the existence of Jesus in Paul and Josephus as interpolated. 

In [[2002]], an [[ossuary]] was discovered in [[Israel]] that contains the words ''Ya`aqov bar Yosef akhui di Yeshua`'' i.e. "James, son of Joseph, brother of Jesus". The artifact is dated at [[63| A.D. 63]] and many believe it serves as strong evidence for Jesus historical existence, although this matter is under debate.  The ossuary may have been looted, thus calling into question its history and the authenticity of its inscription.  Also, even if the inscription is authentic, given that the names are all common, it can not be said to be conclusive.  However, Andre Lemaire, who described this inscription in ''Biblical Archaeology Review'', calculated that there would have been about 20 people named James who had a brother named Jesus during that time; he further argued that mentioning both the deceased and the dead brother suggests that the brother was likely to have been famous.  Rochelle I. Altman, an epigraphist, examined on-line photographs of the ossuary and concluded that the first part of the inscription, "Jacob son of Joseph," and the second half of the inscription, "brother of Jesus," are written in two different hands, casting doubts on its authenticity.  Neither of the reports, however, has gone through peer review yet.