Who Is Jesus Christ?

"Who is Jesus Christ?" is one of the most frequently asked questions by those first exploring the Bible. Jesus is recognized as a historical figure in many traditions, and the New Testament portion of the Bible recounts in detail his life, his teaching and his relationships with those around him. This page explains, neutrally, what the names "Jesus" and "Christ" mean, where Jesus is recounted in the Bible and what the four Gospels convey about him; afterward you can begin reading these books here for free.

What do the names "Jesus" and "Christ" mean?

"Jesus" is a personal name; it is the Turkish form of the Hebrew name "Yeshua" and carries the sense of "he saves." "Christ" is a title; the Hebrew word means "anointed, chosen," and it passed into Greek as "Hristos" (Christ). So the expression "Jesus Christ" names both a person and a title together: the person named Jesus and the title Christ given to him.

Where is Jesus recounted in the Bible?

The life of Jesus is recounted in four books of the New Testament portion of the Bible — Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. These four are called "the four Gospels." The remaining New Testament books (Acts, the letters and Revelation) convey how the early church understood and spread Jesus' teaching. In addition, the Old Testament contains prophetic texts that, in the Christian tradition, are held to point to Jesus.

What do the four Gospels tell about Jesus?

The four Gospels recount, beginning with his birth, Jesus' teaching, his deeds, his relationships with his disciples and those around him, his death and his resurrection. Each Gospel conveys the same life with a different emphasis, so reading all four together yields a fuller picture. The parables of Jesus, his counsel and his examples of prayer are also found in these books.

The main themes of Jesus' teaching

Some of the prominent themes in Jesus' teaching in the Gospels are love of God and love of neighbor, forgiveness, humility and heartfelt prayer. The section known as the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7) is a compact example of this teaching. Jesus often taught through parables — short stories drawn from everyday life.

Where on this site do I start reading about Jesus?

To begin reading about the life of Jesus, the Gospel of John is often recommended, because it focuses directly on who Jesus is. For a detailed, orderly account Luke is a good choice, and Mark for a short, fast introduction. You can read all four Gospels here, chapter by chapter, free and ad-free.

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Guides

Who is Jesus Christ?

Jesus is the person whose life is recounted in the Bible's four Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, John). "Christ" is a title given to him. The Gospels convey his teaching, his deeds, his death and his resurrection.

What does "Christ" mean?

"Christ" is a title meaning "anointed, chosen" in Hebrew; it passed into Greek as "Hristos." The phrase "Jesus Christ" names a person (Jesus) and a title (Christ) together.

Where in the Bible is Jesus recounted?

The life of Jesus is recounted in the four Gospels of the New Testament (Matthew, Mark, Luke, John). The other New Testament books convey how his teaching was understood in the early church.

Which book should I start with to read about Jesus?

First-time readers are often pointed to John, which focuses on who Jesus is. Luke is good for a detailed account and Mark for a short introduction.

Can I read the Gospels about Jesus online?

Yes. On this site you can read the four Gospels and the whole New Testament chapter by chapter, free and ad-free.