about: Jesus of Nazareth

Jesus of Nazareth (7–2 BC/BCE—26–36 AD/CE),

The principal sources of information regarding Jesus' life and teachings are the four canonical gospels though some scholars argue that other texts (such as the Gospel of Thomas) are as relevant as the canonical gospels to the historical Jesus. Most critical scholars believe that ancient texts on Jesus' life are at least partially accurate. Most scholars in the fields of history and biblical studies agree that Jesus was a Galilean Jew who was regarded as a teacher and healer. It is also generally accepted that he was baptized by John the Baptist, and was crucified in Jerusalem on orders of the Roman Prefect of Judaea Pontius Pilate, on the charge of sedition against the Roman Empire. Aside from these few conclusions, academic studies remain inconclusive about the chronology, the central message of Jesus' preaching, his social class, cultural environment, and religious orientation.

Christian views of Jesus (see also Christology) center on the belief that Jesus is divine, is the Messiah whose coming was prophesied in the Old Testament, and that he was resurrected after his crucifixion. Christians predominantly believe that Jesus is the "Son of God" (generally meaning that he is God the Son, the second person in the Trinity), who came to provide salvation and reconciliation with God by his death for their sins. Other Christian beliefs include Jesus' virgin birth, performance of miracles, ascension into Heaven, and future Second Coming. While the doctrine of the Trinity is widely accepted by Christians, a small minority instead hold various nontrinitarian beliefs concerning the divinity of Jesus.

In Islam, Jesus ( , commonly transliterated as Isa) is considered one of God's important prophets, a bringer of scripture, and a worker of miracles. Jesus is also called "Messiah," but Islam does not teach that he was divine. Islam denies the death and resurrection of Jesus, believing instead that he ascended bodily to heaven.

Etymology

The name “Jesus” is an Anglicization of the Greek (lang: Iēsoûs), itself a Hellenization of the Hebrew lang: יהושע (Yehoshua) or Hebrew-Aramaic lang: ישוע (Yeshua), meaning “YHWH rescues”. “Christ” is a title derived from the Greek (lang: Christós), meaning the “Anointed One”, which corresponds to the Hebrew-derived “Messiah”.

Chronology

main: Chronology of Jesus Scholars do not know the exact year or date of Jesus' birth or death. The Gospel of Matthew and the Gospel of Luke place Jesus' birth under the reign of Herod the Great, who died in 4 BC/BCE, although the Gospel of Luke also describes the birth as taking place during the first census of the Roman provinces of Syria and Iudaea in 6 AD/CE. Scholars generally assume a date of birth between 6 and 4 BC/BCE. Due to a fourth century arrangement to offset the pagan Roman Saturnalia festival, the birth of Jesus is celebrated on December 25. Since the thirteenth century, celebration of the Christmas ("Christ's Mass") has become an important Christian tradition.Howard Clarke, The Gospel of Matthew and its readers, Indiana University Press, p.13 The common Western standard for numbering years, in which the current year is , is based on an early medieval attempt to count the years from Jesus' birth.