MAIN EVENTS IN THE LIFE OF JESUS, TAKEN FROM ALL FOUR OF THE GOSPELS

BIRTH ‑‑‑ now dated at around 6 BC. His birth is remembered at Christmas.
    At  age 12, he spent several days talking with scholars in the Jewish temple.

No other stories are mentioned until he begins to speak in public around the age of 30. Here are the main events of those 3 years, which ended with his death on the cross:

THE THREE YEARS OF TEACHING:

Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist (his cousin)
Jesus went without food for 40 days in the desert
Jesus began to preach and do miracles in Galilee The first miracle was turning water into wine. He also healed many people.
He called fishermen and others to become his 12 disciples
He brought 3 people back from the dead: a girl, a young man, and later his friend named Lazarus.
He caused a storm to stop, and walked on the water.
He created food for 5000 people; later, again, for 4000.
Jesus went to Jerusalem, even though he knew he would be arrested there.

THE LAST WEEK:  (Events leading up to his death in Jerusalem)

On Sunday, Jesus rode on a donkey into Jerusalem, with many people praising him.

He drove the businessmen out of the temple.

On Thursday, he ate a meal with his disciples for the last time. (the "last supper."
          During that meal he began the custom we call "'Holy Communion" (eating bread & wine to
          remember the meaning of Jesus' death)

He took his disciples with him to a placed called the "Garden of Gethsemane" where he prayed for strength.

He was arrested on Thursday night

He was put on trial before Jewish leaders

On Friday, he was  put on trial before the Roman governor, Pontius Pilate

He also was taken for questioning to Herod, King of Galilee

At the command of Pontius Pilate, he was killed on a cross, and was placed in a grave.

On Sunday, he rose from the dead. This event is celebrated by the holiday called Easter.

He appeared to Mary, then to the disciples

Later he appeared to 500 believers, all at the same time

40  days after rising from the dead, his body left the earth, but he promised "I am with you always."

On to next page (events after Jesus)                               Return to New Testament contents

To read about Jesus life directly from one of the gospels, go to Book of Mark Reading Guide