Jesus Christ

Some Lesser Known Facts About Jesus Christ

• The name ‘Jesus’ is the English translation of the Greek name ‘Iesua,’ meaning “the life giver.” This name is mentioned in the Bible for more than 900 times.

• Jesus had no last name. ‘Christ’ was a title that was given to him which means “the anointed one.”

• According to the New Testament, Jesus was born to a virgin mother, Mary, through a Holy Spirit without any biological father. ^[1]Britannica

  

• John the Baptist was Jesus’ half-brother. Mother of John, Elizabeth, and Mother of Jesus, Mary were cousins.

• According to some scholars, Jesus was not born on 25 December. His birthday is celebrated on this day because this day, Jews festival of Lights, called the Festival of Hanukkah started. Nobody really knows exactly when Jesus was born. Some scholars believe that Jesus may have been born in spring or summer. As per the Gospels of Matthew and Luke, Jesus was born in Bethlehem (Modern day in Palestine).

• Herod the Great, Roman client king of Judea, had ordered to kill all the newborn children in and around Bethlehem after the wise men failed to report back about Jesus’ birth to him. He feared that he might lose his throne to a newborn child named Jesus.

• According to gospel of Matthew, Jesus’ father Joseph was a carpenter and for some years Jesus also adopted this profession.

• Jesus was 30 years old when he started his ministry. That ministry lasted for about 3.5 years.

• Jesus fasted for 40 days and preached for 40 months.

• The Sermon on the Mount is the longest speech and teaching of Jesus which is mentioned in the New Testament.

  

• His first miracle occurred in a marriage party in Cana. He turned water into wine.

• According to the gospels, Jesus showed 37 miracles.

• Due to his miraculous powers, Jesus resurrected 3 persons from dead. The son of a widow in Nain, Jairus’ daughter and Lazarus. Jesus helped people in relieving physical pains and healing of the body.

• 5000 men were fed by Jesus’ miracles. It is the only miracle that is recorded in all the four gospels.

• Transfiguration of Jesus was an event and one of his Miracles. On that account, Jesus became radiant in glory upon a mountain with his three apostles.

  

• According to some sources, Jesus could speak four languages: Hebrew, Greek, Latin, and one other.

• According to the gospel of Matthew and Luke, Jesus was a no-vegetarian, he enjoyed having fish and lamb.

• For teaching messages to the public for direct and lasting impact, he often used parables.

• Jesus rejected the authority of the Roman Kings. Due to this, he was arrested and tried by Romans Authority. He was handed over to Pontius Pilate, the Roman prefect, and was crucified ultimately.

  

• The day of his crucifixion is celebrated as ‘Good Friday‘ and the Resurrection of Jesus occurred on coming Sunday, is celebrated as ‘Easter.’

• Before being crucified, Jesus had meal with his 12 Apostles (Disciples) and predicted that one of his apostles would betray him. At the time of Jesus’ arrest, three of his disciples betrayed him.

  

• Jesus did not want to suffer and die, he did not want to face the pain and agony. Before being arrested, he prayed to the Almighty in the garden of Gethsemane asking the God, ”My Father; if it is possible, let this cup pass from me.”

• There are so many films that have been made on the life of Jesus Christ: The Greatest Story Ever Told, Jesus of Nazareth, The Passion of the Christ, Il Messia, etc. The Da Vinci Code is another film using the genealogy of Jesus Christ; starring Tom Hanks.