Jesu · New Testament
The Story of Jesus
Also: Yesu (Kiswahili), Jesũ (Gĩkũyũ), Jesus Christ, Jesus of Nazareth, Immanuel
Jesus of Nazareth, whose birth, ministry, death and resurrection are told in the four Gospels.
Editorial text in English. Scripture is quoted from the version you choose; references stay the same in every version.
Introduction
The Gospels record that Jesus was born in Bethlehem to Mary, who was engaged to Joseph, and grew up in Nazareth in Galilee. Matthew 1:18–25Luke 2:1–7Luke 2:39–40
After his baptism by John he proclaimed that the kingdom of God was near, called disciples, taught, healed the sick and forgave sins. Mark 1:9–15Matthew 4:23Mark 2:5–12
He went up to Jerusalem, shared a last supper with his disciples, was arrested, condemned under Pontius Pilate and crucified. The Gospels record that on the third day the tomb was empty and he appeared to his followers. Mark 14:22–25Mark 15:15Mark 15:24–37Luke 24:1–81 Corinthians 15:3–8
Acts records his ascension. The rest of the New Testament proclaims him as Lord and Christ. Acts 1:9–11Acts 2:36Philippians 2:9–11
Life at a glance
- Mother
- Mary Matthew 1:18Luke 1:30–31
- Joseph
- Mary's husband; Luke says Jesus was supposed to be his son Matthew 1:24–25Luke 3:23
- Born in
- Bethlehem of Judea Matthew 2:1Luke 2:4–7
- Grew up in
- Nazareth in Galilee Luke 2:39Matthew 2:23
- Brothers named
- James, Joses, Judas and Simon; also sisters Mark 6:3
- Began his ministry
- About thirty years old Luke 3:23
- Death
- Crucified in Jerusalem under Pontius Pilate Mark 15:15John 19:16–18
Only what Scripture records. Where the Bible is silent, nothing is filled in.
Follow the life of Jesus
Events in the order Scripture presents them. Expand an event to read its passage here, or open the chapter in the reader.
His birth announced
The angel Gabriel tells Mary she will conceive by the Holy Spirit and bear a son named Jesus. An angel tells Joseph in a dream to take Mary as his wife.
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Supporting passage: Matthew 1:18–25 (The announcement to Joseph.)
People: Mary, mother of Jesus, Joseph of Nazareth
Places named: Nazareth
Born in Bethlehem
Joseph and Mary travel to Bethlehem, where Jesus is born and laid in a manger. Angels announce the birth to shepherds, who come to see him.
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Supporting passage: Matthew 2:1
People: Mary, mother of Jesus, Joseph of Nazareth
Places named: Bethlehem
Presented in the temple
Mary and Joseph present Jesus in the temple. Simeon and Anna recognize him and give thanks.
The magi, the flight to Egypt and Nazareth
Magi from the east worship the child. Warned in a dream, Joseph takes Jesus and Mary to Egypt until Herod's death, then settles in Nazareth.
Matthew and Luke each record different episodes of Jesus' infancy; the order between them is not stated.
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People: Mary, mother of Jesus, Joseph of Nazareth
Places named: Bethlehem, Egypt, Nazareth
The boy in the temple
At twelve, Jesus stays behind in the temple, listening to the teachers and asking questions; he says he must be in his Father's house.
Baptized by John
Jesus is baptized by John in the Jordan. The Spirit descends like a dove, and a voice from heaven says, You are my beloved Son.
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Parallel account: Mark 1:9–11 · Luke 3:21–22
Supporting passage: John 1:29–34 (John the Baptist's testimony.)
People: John the Baptist
Places named: the Jordan
Related events: Tempted in the wilderness
Tempted in the wilderness
Led by the Spirit into the wilderness, Jesus fasts forty days and answers the devil's temptations with Scripture.
The first disciples
John's disciples Andrew and another follow Jesus; Andrew brings his brother Simon, whom Jesus calls Cephas. Philip and Nathanael follow.
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People: Andrew, Simon Peter, Philip the apostle, Bartholomew
Water into wine at Cana
At a wedding in Cana, Jesus turns water into wine, the first of his signs, and his disciples believe in him.
Nicodemus at night
Nicodemus, a Pharisee, comes to Jesus at night; Jesus tells him he must be born again, for God so loved the world.
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People: Nicodemus
The woman at the well
In Samaria Jesus asks a woman for water, speaks of living water, and reveals that he is the Messiah; many Samaritans believe.
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Places named: Sychar in Samaria
Preaching the kingdom in Galilee
Jesus proclaims that the kingdom of God has come near and calls people to repent and believe the good news.
Rejected in Nazareth
In the synagogue at Nazareth Jesus reads from Isaiah and says the Scripture is fulfilled today; the townspeople reject him.
Luke places this visit at the start of the Galilean ministry; Mark and Matthew record a rejection at Nazareth later. They may describe one visit or two.
Calls the fishermen
By the Sea of Galilee Jesus calls Simon and Andrew, James and John to follow him, and they leave their nets.
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Parallel account: Matthew 4:18–22 · Luke 5:1–11 (Luke adds a great catch of fish.)
People: Simon Peter, Andrew, James, son of Zebedee, John the apostle
Places named: the Sea of Galilee
Healing in Capernaum
Jesus teaches with authority in the synagogue, casts out an unclean spirit, heals Simon's mother-in-law and many who were sick.
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Parallel account: Luke 4:31–41 · Matthew 8:14–17
People: Simon Peter
Places named: Capernaum
The paralysed man forgiven and healed
Friends lower a paralysed man through a roof; Jesus forgives his sins and heals him.
Calls Matthew (Levi)
Jesus calls a tax collector to follow him and eats with tax collectors and sinners.
The twelve apostles chosen
Jesus goes up on a mountain and appoints twelve to be with him and to be sent out to preach.
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Parallel account: Luke 6:12–16 · Matthew 10:1–4
People: Simon Peter, Andrew, James, son of Zebedee, John the apostle, Philip the apostle, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James, son of Alphaeus, Simon the Zealot, Judas, son of James, Judas Iscariot
The Sermon on the Mount
Jesus teaches the Beatitudes, the Lord's Prayer and the way of the kingdom, ending with the wise and foolish builders.
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Parallel account: Luke 6:17–49 (Luke's sermon on a level place has much of the same teaching.)
Teaching in parables
Jesus teaches the crowds in parables: the sower, the mustard seed, the hidden treasure and others.
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Parallel account: Mark 4:1–34 · Luke 8:4–18
Calming the storm
Asleep in the boat during a storm, Jesus is woken and rebukes the wind and waves; the disciples ask who this is.
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Parallel account: Matthew 8:23–27 · Luke 8:22–25
Places named: the Sea of Galilee
Jairus' daughter and the woman who touched his garment
On the way to Jairus' house a woman is healed by touching Jesus' garment; Jesus then raises Jairus' daughter.
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Parallel account: Matthew 9:18–26 · Luke 8:40–56
People: Simon Peter, James, son of Zebedee, John the apostle
Feeding the five thousand
With five loaves and two fish Jesus feeds a great crowd, and twelve baskets of leftovers are gathered.
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Parallel account: Matthew 14:13–21 · Luke 9:10–17 · John 6:1–14
People: Philip the apostle, Andrew
Walking on the water
Jesus comes to the disciples walking on the sea; in Matthew, Peter walks toward him and begins to sink.
I am the bread of life
In Capernaum Jesus teaches that he is the bread of life; many disciples turn back, and Peter says, Lord, to whom would we go?
Peter's confession
Jesus asks who people say he is; Peter answers, You are the Christ. Jesus begins to teach that he must suffer, die and rise.
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Parallel account: Mark 8:27–38 · Luke 9:18–27
People: Simon Peter
Places named: Caesarea Philippi
The Transfiguration
On a mountain Jesus is transfigured before Peter, James and John; Moses and Elijah appear, and a voice says, This is my beloved Son. Listen to him.
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Parallel account: Mark 9:2–13 · Luke 9:28–36
Later recollection of this event: 2 Peter 1:16–18
People: Simon Peter, James, son of Zebedee, John the apostle, Moses, Elijah
Teaching on the way to Jerusalem
Jesus tells the parables of the good Samaritan, the lost sheep, the lost coin and the lost son, and visits Martha and Mary.
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People: Martha, Mary of Bethany
Raising Lazarus
Jesus comes to Bethany after Lazarus has died, tells Martha, I am the resurrection and the life, weeps, and calls Lazarus out of the tomb.
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Supporting passage: John 11:45–53
People: Lazarus, Martha, Mary of Bethany
Places named: Bethany
Anointed at Bethany
At a meal in Bethany a woman pours costly ointment on Jesus; John names her Mary, Lazarus' sister. Jesus says she has prepared him for burial.
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Parallel account: Mark 14:3–9 · Matthew 26:6–13
People: Mary of Bethany, Lazarus, Martha, Judas Iscariot
Places named: Bethany
Entry into Jerusalem
Jesus rides into Jerusalem on a donkey as crowds spread branches and cry, Hosanna!
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Parallel account: Matthew 21:1–11 · Luke 19:28–44 · John 12:12–19
Places named: Jerusalem, the Mount of Olives
Clearing the temple
Jesus drives out those buying and selling in the temple, saying it is to be a house of prayer.
The first three Gospels place this in Jesus' last week; John places it early. Whether there were one or two clearings is discussed.
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Parallel account: Matthew 21:12–17 · Luke 19:45–48 · John 2:13–22 (John places a temple clearing at the start of Jesus' ministry.)
Places named: Jerusalem
The Last Supper
At the Passover meal Jesus washes the disciples' feet, foretells his betrayal, and gives them bread and wine as his body and blood.
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Parallel account: Matthew 26:17–30 · Luke 22:7–38 · John 13:1–38
Later recollection of this event: 1 Corinthians 11:23–26
People: Simon Peter, John the apostle, Judas Iscariot
Farewell words and prayer
Jesus tells his disciples he is the way, the truth and the life, promises the Holy Spirit, and prays for them and for all who will believe.
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People: Thomas, Philip the apostle
Gethsemane and the arrest
Jesus prays in anguish, Not my will but yours. Judas comes with a crowd and betrays him with a kiss; the disciples flee.
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Parallel account: Matthew 26:36–56 · Luke 22:39–53 · John 18:1–12
People: Simon Peter, Judas Iscariot, James, son of Zebedee, John the apostle
Places named: Gethsemane
Trials before the council and Pilate
Jesus is questioned by the high priest and council, denied three times by Peter, and brought to Pilate, who gives him over to be crucified.
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Parallel account: Matthew 26:57–27:26 · Luke 22:54–23:25 · John 18:13–19:16
People: Simon Peter
Places named: Jerusalem
The crucifixion
Jesus is crucified at Golgotha between two criminals. He speaks from the cross, and dies; the temple curtain is torn.
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Parallel account: Matthew 27:27–56 · Luke 23:26–49 · John 19:16–37
People: Mary, mother of Jesus, Mary Magdalene, John the apostle
Places named: Golgotha
Burial
Joseph of Arimathea, with Nicodemus in John's account, lays Jesus' body in a tomb, and a stone is rolled across the entrance.
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Parallel account: Matthew 27:57–66 · Luke 23:50–56 · John 19:38–42
People: Nicodemus, Mary Magdalene
The empty tomb
Early on the first day of the week women come to the tomb and find it empty; they are told he has risen. Mary Magdalene meets the risen Jesus.
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Parallel account: Matthew 28:1–10 · Luke 24:1–12 · John 20:1–18
People: Mary Magdalene, Simon Peter, John the apostle
Appearances to the disciples
Luke 24:13–49 · John 20:19–29 · John 21:1–23
Jesus appears to two disciples on the road to Emmaus, to the gathered disciples, to Thomas, and by the Sea of Galilee, where he restores Peter.
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Later recollection of this event: 1 Corinthians 15:3–8
People: Thomas, Simon Peter
Sending the disciples
On a mountain in Galilee Jesus sends the eleven to make disciples of all nations and promises to be with them always.
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Parallel account: Luke 24:46–49 · Acts 1:8
The ascension
Jesus is taken up into heaven before the apostles; two men in white say he will come again in the same way.
Mentioned across the Bible
Later passages that recall, mention or interpret Jesus. These are not new events in the person’s lifetime.
Later recollections of these events
- 2 Peter 1:16–18 recalls “The Transfiguration”
- 1 Corinthians 11:23–26 recalls “The Last Supper”
- 1 Corinthians 15:3–8 recalls “Appearances to the disciples”
Direct reference
- Acts 9:3–6 — Jesus speaks to Saul on the Damascus road.
- Acts 7:55–56 — Stephen sees Jesus standing at the right hand of God.
- Revelation 1:12–18 — John's vision of the risen Christ.
Teaching or quotation mentioning them
- Acts 2:22–36 — Peter proclaims Jesus crucified and raised.
- Romans 1:3–4
- 1 Corinthians 15:3–8 — The early summary of his death, burial, resurrection and appearances.
- Philippians 2:5–11
- Colossians 1:15–20
- Hebrews 4:14–16 — Jesus the great high priest.
- 1 Peter 2:21–24
- 1 John 1:1–3
Interpretive or typological connection (an interpretation, not a statement of the text)
- Isaiah 53:3–6 — The suffering servant, which the New Testament applies to Jesus (Acts 8:32-35; 1 Peter 2:24). An interpretation, not a narrative of his life.
- Micah 5:2 — The ruler from Bethlehem, quoted in Matthew 2:6.
- Psalms 22:1 — Words Jesus cries from the cross (Mark 15:34).
- Psalms 110:1 — Applied to Jesus by Jesus (Mark 12:35-37) and by Peter (Acts 2:34-35).
Family and relationships
- Mary, mother of JesusMotherLuke 1:31Luke 2:7
- Joseph of NazarethMary's husband, who raised himMatthew 1:24–25Luke 3:23
- John the BaptistForerunner who baptized him; son of Mary's relative ElizabethLuke 1:36Matthew 3:13
- James, Joses, Judas and SimonBrothersMark 6:3
- Simon PeterDisciple and apostleMark 1:16–18Matthew 16:16
- John the apostleDisciple and apostleMark 1:19–20John 19:26–27
- Mary MagdaleneFollower; first to see him risen in JohnLuke 8:1–2John 20:14–18
- LazarusFriend whom he raisedJohn 11:5John 11:43–44
- Judas IscariotDisciple who betrayed himMark 14:10Mark 14:44–45
- Pontius PilateGovernor who sentenced himMark 15:15
- Herod AntipasConnected: Mocked him of JesusLuke 23:11
- Herod the GreatConnected: Sought to kill the child of JesusMatthew 2:13
- MarthaConnected: Jesus loved her of JesusJohn 11:5
- MatthewConnected: Teacher of JesusMatthew 9:9
- NicodemusConnected: Came to learn from him of JesusJohn 3:2
- Pontius PilateConnected: Sentenced him of JesusMark 15:15
- ThomasConnected: Teacher and Lord of JesusJohn 20:28
Books associated with Jesus
- Matthew Main narrative figure
- Mark Main narrative figure
- Luke Main narrative figure
- John Main narrative figure
- Acts Their story appears here
His ascension, and his appearance to Saul. Acts 1:1–11
- Revelation Their story appears here
Revelation presents itself as the revelation of Jesus Christ given to John. Revelation 1:1
A book named after someone is not necessarily written by them. Authorship traditions are shown as traditions.
Themes and study
Study prompts written by BibleKenya editors. They are not Scripture.
Kingdom of GodGraceResurrectionSalvation
- What does Jesus say his mission is in Luke 4:18-21 and Mark 10:45?
- How do the four Gospels each describe the empty tomb?
- What does Peter answer in Matthew 16:15-16, and how does Jesus respond?
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