Jesus of Nazareth
Born c. 4 BCE • Died 30/33 CE
Jesus of Nazareth (c. 4 BCE - 30/33 CE) is the central figure of Christianity. His life, teachings, death, and believed resurrection formed the foundation of the world's largest religion and profoundly shaped Western civilization.
Rank
#3
Influence
98
Field
Religious Leader
Editorial Overview
Born in Bethlehem and raised in Nazareth in the region of Galilee, Jesus worked as an artisan before beginning a public ministry around the age of 30. Over the course of a few years, he traveled through Judea and Galilee, gathering followers and teaching through parables. His message emphasized the Kingdom of God, repentance, universal love, and forgiveness. The conviction of his followers that he rose from the dead three days later catalyzed the rapid spread of the Christian faith, which eventually became the official religion of the Roman Empire and a global spiritual force.
Influence Meter
98
Measured on a 100-point scale
World-shaping influence
Profile Chapter
Early Life
Jesus of Nazareth was born in Bethlehem and raised in Nazareth, growing up within the religious and social realities of Roman Judea. Before beginning his public ministry, he is understood to have lived an ordinary life as an artisan, a background that shaped the grounded imagery, moral clarity, and human closeness found throughout his teaching.