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Who was Jesus?

What was Jesus' "biography"?

  • The Gospels are NOT biographies: John 20: 30-31, 21: 25
  • birth, ca. 4 BCE; mother = Mary
  • spiritual preparation in the wilderness
  • precursor: John the Baptist
  • public ministry: miracles, teaching
  • central message: The kingdom of God is near.
  • Sermon on the Mount: Matt. 5-7
  • parables, e.g. the mustard seed (Luke 13: 18-19), the good Samaritan (Luke 10: 25-37)
  • Jesus and women
  • Key events: Peter’s declaration, Transfiguration, crucifixion and resurrection, ascension

    What was Jesus' significance according to the New Testament?

  • 1 Corinthians 15: 1-4
  • Titles: the Word = logos (John 1: 1), Messiah (Christ), Lord (vs. Master: Luke 5: 5, 8), Saviour
    Son of God, Son of Man: eschatology

    NB Key terms and topics are underlined.