THE HISTORICAL JESUS VII:

The Public Life of Jesus

The public life of Jesus began with his journey from Nazareth to the Jordan River. While there, he was baptized by his cousin, John the Baptist. Following his baptism he retreated to the wilderness for 40 days and nights, where he was tempted by Satan. Then, returning to the Jordan, he again encountered his cousin, John, and began recruiting his disciples and other followers (John 1).

Jesus’ ministry lasted between one and three years.

Jesus’ succeeding ministry lasted between one and three years (ca. 30-31 – 33 CE). During this time Jesus often spoke in parables and sermons. He performed numerous miracles, forgave sins, ate with publicans and sinners, and confronted opponents throughout Galilee, Samaria and Judea. Regarding the public life of Jesus, the Gospel of John testifies:

. . . [T]here are . . . many . . . things which Jesus did, the which, if they should be written every one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that should be written. — John 21:25.

At the end of his ministry, Jesus was arrested in Jerusalem and was tried and crucified for alleged blasphemy and treason. On the third day he rose from the dead, subsequently met with his disciples on a number of occasions in various places, and finally ascended to heaven on the 40th day after his resurrection (Acts 1:3, 9).

See Further

For an extended summary of Jesus’ public life, see:

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