Jesus

The life of Jesus

Jesus of Nazareth, the Son of God made man, born of the Virgin Mary in Bethlehem. He taught and healed in Galilee and Judea, was crucified in Jerusalem under Pontius Pilate, rose on the third day and ascended into heaven.

Born

In Bethlehem of Judea, in the days of King Herod, laid in a manger ScriptureMatthew 2:1; Luke 2:4–7

Died

Crucified at Golgotha outside Jerusalem under Pontius Pilate, probably about AD 30 to 33; rose on the third day ScriptureJohn 19:16–30

Family

• Mother: Mary ScriptureLuke 1:31
• Guardian: Joseph, husband of Mary, of the house of David ScriptureMatthew 1:16–20
• Relatives: James, Joses, Simon and Judas, called his brothers ScriptureMark 6:3
• Relatives: The Church has long understood these as kinsmen or as Joseph’s children from an earlier marriage, not as children of Mary Tradition

1. The angel Gabriel announces his birth to Mary in Nazareth.

   ScriptureLuke 1:26–38

2. He is born in Bethlehem; shepherds come to see him.

   ScriptureLuke 2:1–20

3. He is circumcised and named Jesus on the eighth day, then presented in the Temple, where Simeon and Anna recognise him.

   ScriptureLuke 2:21–38

4. Wise men from the east worship him; Joseph takes the family to Egypt to escape Herod, then settles in Nazareth.

   ScriptureMatthew 2:1–23

5. At twelve he stays behind in the Temple, listening to the teachers and asking them questions.

   ScriptureLuke 2:41–52

6. About thirty years old, he is baptised by John in the Jordan; the Spirit descends and the Father’s voice is heard.

   ScriptureLuke 3:21–23

7. He fasts forty days in the wilderness and is tempted.

   ScriptureMatthew 4:1–11

8. He calls fishermen to follow him and begins preaching that the kingdom of God is near.

   ScriptureMark 1:14–20

9. His first sign: water becomes wine at a wedding in Cana.

   ScriptureJohn 2:1–11

10. He teaches the Sermon on the Mount, heals the sick and forgives sins.

    ScriptureMatthew 5–7

11. He is transfigured on the mountain before Peter, James and John, with Moses and Elijah.

    ScriptureMatthew 17:1–8

12. He raises Lazarus, then enters Jerusalem on a donkey to cries of Hosanna.

    ScriptureJohn 11:1–44; 12:12–19

13. At the Last Supper he gives the bread and the cup as his body and blood, and washes his disciples’ feet.

    ScriptureLuke 22:14–20; John 13:1–15

14. He is arrested, condemned under Pontius Pilate and crucified at Golgotha.

    ScriptureJohn 18–19

15. On the third day he rises from the dead and appears to his disciples.

    ScriptureMatthew 28; 1 Corinthians 15:3–8

16. After forty days he ascends into heaven from the Mount of Olives.

    ScriptureActs 1:3–11

Sources: The Holy Bible (World English Bible); Josephus, Antiquities of the Jews 17–18 (for Herod and Pilate).

Drafted from the Bible and Church tradition. Each line says where it comes from; anything marked Tradition or History is not in Scripture itself. Waiting for review by a priest or editor.

Sundays with Jesus

1. 9 May 2027

   Sunday before Pentecost

   Gospel: John 17:13–26

   Praying aloud to the Father on the night before he dies.

   In the story

   • That they may have my joy John 17:13–14

2. 18 April 2027

   Second Sunday after New Sunday

   Gospel: John 21:15–19

   The risen Lord, the Good Shepherd, handing his flock to Peter.

   In the story

   • More than these? John 21:15
   • Follow me John 21:19b

3. 17 January 2027

   Second Sunday after Denha

   Gospel: John 1:43–51

   As one of “Jesus of Nazareth”: Called by Philip “the son of Joseph, from Nazareth”.

   In the story

   • Follow me John 1:43–44
   • Come and see John 1:45–46
   • No deceit in him John 1:47–48
   • Heaven opened John 1:50–51

4. 3 January 2027

   Second Sunday after Christmas

   Gospel: Luke 2:40–52

   Twelve years old, on his first recorded visit to the Temple as a boy.

   In the story

   • My Father’s house Luke 2:48–50
   • Back to Nazareth Luke 2:51–52

5. 13 December 2026

   Annunciation to St. Joseph

   Gospel: Matthew 1:18–25

   The child Joseph is told to name.

   In the story

   • Do not be afraid Matthew 1:20–21
   • Joseph wakes and obeys Matthew 1:24–25

6. 22 November 2026

   Annunciation to St. Mary

   Gospel: Luke 1:26–38

   The son promised to Mary, who will reign for ever.

   In the story

   • You will call him Jesus Luke 1:30–33

7. 8 November 2026

   Hoodosh Eetho

   Gospel: John 10:22–38

   Walking in the Temple at the winter feast, questioned by the crowd.

   In the story

   • Winter in Solomon’s porch John 10:22–24
   • I told you John 10:25–26
   • Stones in their hands John 10:31–33
   • Believe the works John 10:34–38

Also in these readings

• Solomonശലോമോൻ1 Sunday
• Mary, Mother of Godദൈവമാതാവായ മറിയം6 Sundays
• Gabrielഗബ്രിയേൽ2 Sundays
• Josephയോസേഫ്4 Sundays
• Philipഫിലിപ്പൊസ്1 Sunday
• Nathanaelനഥനയേൽ2 Sundays
• Peterപത്രൊസ്8 Sundays
• The disciplesശിഷ്യന്മാർ4 Sundays

About the icon

Christ Pantocrator, Saint Catherine’s Monastery, Sinai. 6th century. Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.