Jesus

Jesus (c 4 BC-c 30 AD) According to Christian belief Jesus was the son of God and was born to a virgin, Mary. Muslims recognize him as a prophet named Isa (A). The word 'Christ' derives from the Greek word Christos, which means the anointed or the chosen one. Jesus is also called the Messiah or Deliverer. The main sources for the life and teachings of Jesus are the Gospels of Mathew, Mark, Luke, and John in the bible. According to these accounts, Jesus was born in Bethlehem, Palestine, and brought up in Nazareth.

Jesus was baptized by his cousin, John the Baptist, when he was about thirty years old. After being baptized, Jesus went into the wilderness where he is said to have prayed and fasted for 40 days and nights, struggling with temptation and overcoming it. Emerging from the wilderness, Jesus started preaching about the coming of the 'Kingdom of God'. The Bible relates the miracles Jesus performed, healing the sick, giving sight to the blind, and even raising the dead. He had many followers around him, including twelve great disciples, including Judas Iscariot who would betray him, and Peter who would later establish the Church.

Jesus' preaching aroused opposition from the Jews as well as the Roman authorities who waited for an opportunity to get rid of him. When Jesus went to Jerusalem to observe the Jewish feast of the Passover, he was received seemingly enthusiastically by the people at first. But soon he was detained and tried by the Sanhedrin (supreme Jewish court) on charges of blasphemy and condemned to death. He was then brought before Pontius Pilate, the Roman Prefect of Judea, who confirmed the sentence.

Jesus was crucified at Golgotha, death by crucifixion being a common practice for crime at the time. Christians believe that Jesus was resurrected three days after his crucifixion and later ascended to heaven. Western Churches celebrate his birth on christmas (December 25), while the Eastern Orthodox Church celebrates it at the Epiphany (January 6). Jesus's crucifixion is commemorated in Easter. The Muslims regard Jesus highly, and they do not accept his death by crucifixion.

There is no historically authentic image of Jesus. In the 4th century, he was depicted as a beardless youth. Subsequently, he was portrayed with a beard and shoulder-length hair. Jesus is often depicted on the cross. In medieval art, he was often represented as a baby, usually with his mother, Mary. [Selmon H Dio]

See also christianity.