Jesus Christ

First-century Jewish teacher, healer, and itinerant rabbi from Galilee whose teachings — recorded in the four canonical Gospels and a handful of non-canonical sources — became the founding texts of Christianity, the largest religious movement in human history. Born around 4 BCE in the Roman client kingdom of Judea, executed by crucifixion in Jerusalem under the prefect Pontius Pilate around 30-33 CE, Jesus's three-year teaching ministry centered on the in-breaking 'kingdom of God' — a present and coming reality marked by mercy for the broken, reversal of social hierarchies, radical love (including love of enemies), forgiveness, and direct, intimate relationship with God as 'Abba' (Father). The Sermon on the Mount, the parables (the Prodigal Son, the Good Samaritan, the Mustard Seed), and the cross-and-resurrection narrative form the core of his recorded teaching. Beyond Christianity, Jesus is venerated as a major prophet in Islam, a wisdom teacher across virtually every contemplative tradition, and the most-quoted figure in the history of human language.