Jesus Christ in the Bible

Jesus Christ in Bible Stories


Basic Info


The Bible tells of the anticipation, birth, life, suffering, death, Resurrection, and Ascension of Jesus Christ. Paul refers to some of the incidents of Jesus’ life in his letters, but Jesus’ story is mainly told in the four Gospels. The Gospels offer four differing versions of Jesus’ story, as each of the evangelists was addressing a different group, with different concerns. Through the centuries, artists have tended to ignore the differences and blend the Gospel stories as they see fit, a practice that was fairly common among Christians and their leaders as well until recently. Today there is great emphasis on the differences among the Gospels; at other times, the emphasis has been on the similarities.


Matthew, Mark, and Luke tell many of the same stories though often in different ways. These three are called the synoptic Gospels, because they take the same basic view of Jesus. John tells mostly a different set of stories than the synoptic Gospels. That being said, the four Gospels were written from a faith perspective, secure in the belief in the Resurrection of Jesus Christ. 


Gospel: Mark

When likely written: AD 60-80

First Audience: Roman Christians shortly after the first big persecutions

Tends to emphasize:

  • Jesus as teacher
  • Discipleship (learning from Jesus) as loyalty, even if one doesn’t understand
  • All events of Jesus’ life pointed toward the open secret that he was the Messiah, the Son of God, and would die for the sake of humankind


Gospel: Matthew

When likely written: AD 80–100

First Audience: Jewish followers of Christ, near Jerusalem, after the destruction of the Temple in AD 70

Tends to emphasize:

  • Parallel between Jesus (Son of David) and People of Israel
  • The words of Jesus the teacher
  • Connections with the People of Israel and the Church
  • Jesus as the personification of Law or Torah
  • Discipleship as understanding and loyalty


Gospel: Luke

When likely written: AD 80-130

First Audience: Gentile Christians who need assurance that Christianity isn’t just for Jews

Tends to emphasize:

  • Jesus in the context of God’s Plan
  • Jesus as a prophet like Moses, a prophetic Messiah
  • Good Christians can be good Roman Citizens as well
  • Discipleship is about being prophetic witnesses


Gospel: John

When likely written: AD 90-120

First Audience: Probably Gentile Christians

Tends to emphasize:

  • Theological reflection on Jesus as connected to the community, connected to rituals and festivals, and connecting the present community with the end times
  • Coming from the Father, Jesus actions serve as signs of God, Jesus reveals God and is obedient and loving
  • Discipleship is about conforming one’s life to Jesus’ life


In artworks the artists seldom pay attention to these distinctions, but because they are considered significant today, they make for a fun game to figure out which Gospel an artwork would go best with.


Historical Notes


In early Christian art depicting Jesus in Bible stories, we see mainly stories of healings, miracles, and meals, including the Last Supper. The popularity of these themes waxes and wanes a bit over the next 1500 years, but they do appear in every era of Christian art. The Crucifixion and Nativity become popular starting in the 4th century AD. The Resurrection is referenced at least symbolically in the earliest Christian art, but depictions of Jesus post-Resurrection become very popular at the beginning of the Renaissance (1200s–1300s) and through the Baroque era (1700), and they appear again as a symbol of liberation in the 20th century.


What to Look For

Artists who paint or sculpt Jesus are usually Christians, so they are trying to depict someone they have heard about their whole lives. The extent to which an artist has accepted and tried to live the teachings of Christianity, or even the extent to which he or she has rejected the teachings, also influences the artist’s understanding of Jesus Christ. These factors, and many more, affect the interpretation of Jesus presented in artwork.


Rooting out the cultural and faith-filled elements affecting the characterization of Jesus in a given artwork can be challenging until one has had some practice interpreting specific Jesus stories in artworks. A few pointers are offered here.


Compare the artwork to the Bible story. What has the artist added about Jesus’ expression, gesture, posture, gaze, touch, and relationship with others? What has the artist omitted? These indicate preferences about the “right” characterization of Jesus for the artist or the artist’s time. When you see this Jesus, how would you describe him? What aspects of his personality are emphasized? How is this different than the characterization of Jesus in the Bible? These differences and emphases indicate cultural priorities and preferences. Other similar approaches can be found in the What To Look For section under Bible Stories.


Questions to Focus a General Interpretation


How does the artist construct the personality of Jesus Christ in this artwork? 

How does the artist describe the relationship between Jesus and others in the artwork? Does this reflect the power to influence followers that Jesus Christ has had for 2,000 years? 


Questions to Guide a Personal Interpretation


Is the Jesus Christ depicted in this artwork someone you want to follow or learn from? What is it about this Jesus that makes you trust or distrust?

What is attractive about this rendition of Jesus Christ? Is there anything repulsive about it? What might your opinions on this say about where you are in your own relationship with Jesus?


Questions to Suggest a Historical Interpretation


What was going on socially, politically, or economically in the artist’s place and time that might have needed this Jesus to respond?

What was the relationship between the Church and the faithful, or the Church and the state, in the artist’s place and time that this Jesus might be addressing?


More specific interpretation opportunities are available at these links:


Return to the Jesus Christ Overview Return to Interpretations Return to Engaging the Art
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