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Jesus of Nazareth
c. -4 – c. 30 · b. Bethlehem
theologian
Central figure of Christianity. Jewish teacher from Nazareth, crucified under Pontius Pilate c. AD 30; confessed by Christians as the Messiah and Son of God. Called and taught the Twelve Apostles.
Why Jesus matters
Everything on this site is a footnote to him. The figures here are the people who carried what he taught from one generation to the next, in writing, in argument, in martyrdom, sometimes in failure. The chain to Jesus is not metaphor — it's a real human relay race over seven hundred years, and every link is a person who staked their life on the claim that he rose from the dead.
Chain to Jesus
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Common questions
- Who was Jesus of Nazareth?
- Jesus of Nazareth (-4–30) — Central figure of Christianity. Jewish teacher from Nazareth, crucified under Pontius Pilate c. AD 30; confessed by Christians as the Messiah and Son of God. Called and taught the Twelve Apostles.
- Who did Jesus of Nazareth teach?
- Peter, Andrew, James, son of Zebedee, John the Apostle, Philip the Apostle, Bartholomew, Matthew the Apostle, Thomas the Apostle, James, son of Alphaeus, Jude Thaddaeus, Simon the Zealot, Judas Iscariot, and Mary Magdalene.
Sources for biography
- Gospel of Mark 1-16 primary
- Tacitus, Annals 15.44 primary
- Josephus, Antiquities 18.3.3 primary
documented connections(20)
- taught by (incoming) PeterPeter is called by Jesus and named chief of the Twelve in all four Gospels.Gospel of Mark 1:16-18 · Gospel of Matthew 16:13-19
- taught by (incoming) AndrewGospel of John 1:35-42
- taught by (incoming) James, son of ZebedeeGospel of Mark 1:19-20
- taught by (incoming) John the ApostleGospel of Mark 1:19-20 · Gospel of John 21:20-24
- taught by (incoming) Philip the ApostleGospel of John 1:43-48
- taught by (incoming) BartholomewGospel of Matthew 10:3
- taught by (incoming) Matthew the ApostleGospel of Matthew 9:9
- taught by (incoming) Thomas the ApostleGospel of John 20:24-29
- taught by (incoming) James, son of AlphaeusGospel of Mark 3:18
- taught by (incoming) Jude ThaddaeusGospel of Luke 6:16
- taught by (incoming) Simon the ZealotGospel of Luke 6:15
- taught by (incoming) Judas IscariotOne of the Twelve who later betrayed Jesus.Gospel of Mark 3:19 · Gospel of Matthew 26:14-16
- knew of (incoming) MatthiasActs 1:21-22 specifies Matthias had accompanied Jesus 'beginning from the baptism of John' though he was not one of the original Twelve.Acts of the Apostles 1:21-22
- taught by (incoming) Mary MagdaleneGospel of Luke 8:1-3 · Gospel of John 20:1-18
- knew of (incoming) James the JustBrother of Jesus per Mark 6:3 and Galatians 1:19; received a resurrection appearance per 1 Cor 15:7.Gospel of Mark 6:3 · 1 Corinthians 15:7 · Galatians 1:19
- knew of (incoming) Paul of TarsusPaul claims a resurrection appearance and direct revelation (Galatians 1:11-17, 1 Cor 15:8). Not a pre-Easter disciple.1 Corinthians 15:8 · Galatians 1:11-17 · Acts 9:1-19
- knew of (incoming) Quadratus of AthensQuadratus' surviving fragment claims firsthand testimony was still alive in his day from those healed or raised by Jesus.Quadratus, Apology fragment in Eusebius HE 4.3.2
- knew of (incoming) Aristides of AthensAristides, Apology 2, 15
- cited (incoming) Author of the DidacheThe Didache cites the Lord's Prayer and dominical sayings 'as the Lord commanded in his Gospel'.Didache 8, 9, 11, 15
- knew of (incoming) Mary, mother of JesusMary is the mother of Jesus per the infancy narratives of Matthew and Luke; present at the wedding at Cana, the crucifixion, and with the disciples before Pentecost.Gospel of Luke 1:26-2:52 · Gospel of John 2:1-12; 19:25-27 · Acts of the Apostles 1:14
tradition connections(1)
- succeeded in see (incoming) PeterRoman Catholic tradition treats Peter as Christ's vicar / successor in pastoral leadership of the Church (Matt 16:18-19); not framed as episcopal succession in the New Testament itself.Gospel of Matthew 16:18-19 · Gospel of John 21:15-17