In Western Christianity, the Bible is divided into two sections, the Old Testament and the New Testament. Each contains different stories, teachings and prophecies of Jesus. But one question is always asked when believers talk about Jesus: How many Jesus in the Bible?
The answer is really twofold. Jesus Christ is discussed in some detail in the New Testament, particularly in the four Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John), and at various other places. However, in the Old Testament, there are some passages which may suggest the presence of ‘other Jesuses’.
When looking at the Bible as a whole, it seems clear that there is only one Jesus. The Apostles’ Creed, which is a statement of Christian faith, states ‘I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord’. This reflects the traditional view that there can only be one Jesus Christ.
Nevertheless, certain passages have made theologians question this. Most notably, reference is made in the Old Testament to the Messiah being ‘like’ or ‘as’ a ‘son of God’. This raises questions about whether multiple figures can equally be called the Christ, or if it is only certain figures who can have that title. One potential interpretation of this is that there are multiple Jesuses in the Bible, each playing a unique role in revealing the will of God to humanity.
It is also important to note that there is a difference between a ‘literal’ view of the Bible and what is known as ‘theological interpretation’. From a literal perspective, one could argue that because Jesus is only mentioned by name in the New Testament, there can be only one Jesus in the entire Bible. However, when taking into consideration theological interpretation, it is possible to look at the Old Testament passages as pre-figuring the coming of Jesus as the ultimate embodiment of divine love and justice.
Another point to consider is that Jesus is an archetypal figure in the Bible, one who acts as a symbol of hope and redemption for those who believe in him. In this context, there can be multiple figures in the Bible who represent the ideas, values and teachings of Jesus even if they are not actually named as ‘Jesus’. The idea is that Jesus is representative of more than one figure, but all point to the same source of divine love and grace.
Expert opinion is divided on this issue, with some believing that there can only be one Jesus in the Bible and others asserting that there can be multiple embodiments of the same figure. The truth is that this is an issue over which bible scholars have long disagreed, and it is unlikely that a definitive answer will ever be reached.
A Brief Account of Jesus in the Bible
In Christianity, Jesus is the Son of God and God incarnate, the savior of humanity who was sent to Earth in the form of a human being. The New Testament in the Bible is the main source of information about Jesus’ life and ministry, thus providing the most reliable record of his life. According to the Gospels, Jesus was born in Bethlehem, grew up in Nazareth, and spent his adult life travelling around the region preaching in synagogues, healing people, and performing other miracles. Through his teaching, Jesus helped people to understand the teachings of the Old Testament and gave them a new understanding of God and the afterlife.
The four Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John) all describe Jesus’ life and ministry in detail, along with the Apostles’ evidence of his resurrection, making it the definitive source regarding Jesus’ life and works.
The Bible also paints a picture of Jesus’ legacy and his suffering and death. In his sacrifice, Jesus suffers for the sins of mankind, offering them hope and eternal life with God. His ultimate act of love and forgiveness became the cornerstone of the Christian Faith and gave new hope to a world where war, poverty and suffering have endured.
The Idea of a ‘Pre-Figured’ Jesus
The idea of a ‘pre-figured’ Jesus is seen in some Old Testament passages which appear to refer to a figure who is similar to Jesus in terms of appearance and mission. Examples of these include Isaiah 53, which describes a suffering figure who is known as a servant of God, and Daniel 7, which speaks of a coming kingdom ruled by a figure known as ‘the Ancient of Days’.
These figures are seen as fore-shadows of Jesus, predicted in the Old Testament and revealed fully in the New Testament. For Christians, this helps to build a bridge between the ‘new covenant’ that Jesus brings and the ancient prophecies of the Old Testament.
The idea of Jesus as a ‘pre-figured’ figure is a powerful one, as it shows that Jesus is the fulfillment of God’s promises and a great source of hope. It also explains how Jesus can be seen to transcend time, as a figure who was prophesied centuries before he was born and is still alive in people’s hearts today.
Jerusalem’s View of Jesus in the Bible
For Jews in Jerusalem, the Bible is seen as the Holy Scripture and is studied deeply, not only for its contents but also for the allegorical and metaphorical interpretations of the stories and teachings. In this context, Jesus can be observed in a very different and broader way than by just his name alone.
Jews in Jerusalem may also have a different view of Jesus from other Christians because they view him as a teacher and a prophet, rather than the Messiah and the Son of God that other Christian denominations often adhere to. From this perspective, the figure of Jesus is seen as part of a bigger story that involves the history of the People of Israel.
The figure of Jesus can therefore open up as a source of inspiration in life as well as describe what is expected of believers to live according to God’s word. For Jews in Jerusalem, this means that respecting the Law and being devoted to the service of God should be the foundations of their life.
Interpretations of Jesus in the Contemporary World
In the contemporary world, Jesus is often invoked as a figure of moral leadership, justice and peace. For example, some believe that Jesus’s teachings were radical and confrontational, and argue that people must take active steps to apply his message to the modern world.
At the same time, there is an increasing trend of viewing Jesus from a global or “ecumenical” perspective, as an example not only for Christians, but for people of all faiths. For example, Pope Francis recently declared that Jesus “is the face of the God who takes the first step towards us.” This view recognises that Jesus is not only a figure of Christianity, but also a source of inspiration and hope in the world.
In addition, some take a non-religious approach to Jesus, seeing him as the embodiment of the universal values of justice, hope, and peace. This interpretation has become increasingly popular in the contemporary world, and has helped open up conversations about Jesus to people of all faiths and backgrounds.
The Impact of Jesus on Culture and Art
The figure of Jesus has also inspired numerous works of art and literature. Jesus is often depicted in religious artwork such as icons and sculptures, and has inspired some of the most famous works of literature, including the Bible and Dante’s Divine Comedy.
Jesus has also been the subject of various films, plays, and musical works. Popular examples include The Passion of the Christ, Jesus Christ Superstar, and Godspell. These works often depict Jesus in ways that are different from traditional Christian interpretations, but still serve to remind audiences of his power and importance.
The image of Jesus has also served as an inspiration to resistance movements and oppressed peoples throughout history. For example, the use of “Jesus” as a symbol of freedom and justice during the Civil Rights Movement, or “the Jesus of South African liberation theology”, who was seen as a symbol of liberation from oppressive forces.
We can also see Jesus in elements of popular culture today, including video games, television shows and other entertainment media. Often, these modern interpretations of Jesus are quite different from traditional views, but the image of Jesus as a figure of hope, justice, and love still rings true.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the figure of Jesus in the Bible is controversial and debated among theologians. Some argue that there can be only one Jesus, while others maintain that interpretations of Jesus vary depending on one’s faith and understanding. Nevertheless, the figure of Jesus has had an extraordinary impact on culture and art, and has served as an example and source of inspiration to people around the world.
