JESUS CHRIST

(December 25, 7 BC, approx. 00.00 -
local time – March 22, AD 26, 15.00)

Jesus, Hebrew jeshua – ‘Yahweh is salvation’; Greek Iesous. Called himself the Son of Man. Known as the Nasorean, the Nazarene, Messiah, the Anointed One, Christ, the Son of God, the Galilean, the Saviour, etc. The Messiah of Israel, founder of Christianity. Israelite. Born in the village of Bethlehem to Joseph the son of Jacob, a descendant of King David (from the tribe of Judah). His mother Mary was the daughter of Joachim, descended from King David (tribe of Judah, Nathan’s line). Closest relatives were Joseph’s sons James (one of the 70 Apostles), Josiah, Simon and Judas; also Joseph’s daughters. If the Turin Shroud was his last resting-place Jesus would have been 175-180 cm tall, weight 75-80 kg, blood group AB. Long, shoulder-length auburn hair with a central parting, worn in a plait at the nape of the neck. Short beard parted in the middle and moustache. Semitic facial features, close-set eyes, nose 8 cm long and typical for those of Jewish and Arab descent. His features are imprinted on the sudarium preserved at Oviedo Cathedral, Spain. Spent part of his childhood in Egypt, probably in Alexandria. It cannot be established if he ever married. Evidence passed down to us suggests Jesus lived in accordance with the New Testament, i.e. the Jewish Essene sect, but it is unlikely that he was fully initiated. Knew of Gnosticism. Followed his father’s profession as architect and designer. After meeting John the Baptist he became a wandering rabbi (preacher). Falsely denounced for intent to destroy the Temple of Jerusalem, blasphemy, inciting revolt against the authorities and attempting to usurp the royal throne, he was sentenced to death by the Judaic Sanhedrin. The sentence was sanctioned by the Prefect Pontius Pilate. Jesus was put to death by crucifixion on Mount Golgotha, Jerusalem, part of the New City. Posthumously rehabilitated by the Roman rulers, those responsible were duly punished. His burial place was the family tomb of Joseph of Arimathea, a member of the Sanhedrin. The Church of the Holy Sepulchre now stands on the spot. The body of Christ disappeared from the tomb on the third day after burial.