Reconstructing Jesus from New Testament Accounts
The New Testament presents Jesus as a historical figure whose life, death, and resurrection form the foundation of Christian faith [1]. The name "Jesus" is the Greek form of the Hebrew "Joshua," meaning "Jehovah is salvation" [4]. He is often identified as "Jesus of Nazareth" or "Jesus the son of Joseph" to distinguish him from others bearing the same common name [4].
The Gospels—Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John—provide circumstantial accounts of Jesus's life and ministry [1]. Luke begins his account by stating his intention to write about "all that Jesus began to do and to teach" [3]. These narratives portray Jesus as the Messiah, the Son of God [12]. Old Testament prophecies are frequently cited within the New Testament to support claims about Jesus's identity and mission [12]. For instance, passages from Psalms and Isaiah are used to describe Jesus as a cornerstone, a stumbling stone, and the Lord [7, 12]. Psalm 110:1 is frequently cited by New Testament authors to describe Jesus, appearing in Acts 2:34-35, 1 Corinthians 15:25, Hebrews 1:13, 2:8, 10:12-13, and Revelation 3:21 [6]. Similarly, Psalm 69:9 is used to describe Jesus's suffering in various Gospel accounts [9].
A central tenet in reconstructing Jesus from New Testament accounts is his resurrection from the dead [1]. The apostle Paul emphasizes its critical importance, stating that if Christ has not been raised, Christian faith is futile [1]. The New Testament consistently affirms Jesus's resurrection as an historical fact, with Peter arguing for its necessity from Psalm 16 on the Day of Pentecost [1]. Jesus himself alluded to his resurrection in his discourses [1]. The apostle Paul reminds believers to "Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, descendant of David, according to my gospel" [2]. The resurrection is considered a "first principle of the gospel" [5].
The New Testament also portrays Jesus as the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies concerning the Messiah [11]. Jesus himself referred to the Law of Moses, the Prophets, and the Psalms, indicating that the entire Old Testament points to God's salvation through him [11]. Early Christian teachers like John Gill would "open" and explain Old Testament scriptures, demonstrating from them the necessity of the Messiah's suffering and resurrection [8].
Beyond his earthly ministry, the New Testament presents Jesus as having cosmic significance. Paul reflects on a transformed understanding of Jesus, moving from a human perspective to recognizing him as the one who rose from the dead, ushered in a new creation, and was established as the redeemer from sin and Lord of the universe [10]. This understanding is further articulated in passages like Romans 1:3-4, Philippians 2:6-11, and Colossians 1:15-20 [10]. The New Testament writers consistently present Jesus not merely as a historical figure, but as the divine Son of God whose life, death, and resurrection have eternal implications.
Sources
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Resurrection of Christ — One of the cardinal facts and doctrines of the gospel. If Christ be not risen, our faith is vain (1 Cor. 15:14). The whole of the New Testament revelation rests on this as an historical fact. On the day of Pentecost Peter argued the necessity of Christ's resurrection from the prediction in Ps. 16 (Acts 2:24-28). In his own discourses, also, our Lord clearly intimates his resurrection (Matt. 20:19; Mark 9:9; 14:28; Luke 18:33; John 2:19-22). The evangelists give circumstantial accounts of the facts connected with that event, and the apostles, ”
- 2 Timothy “2 Timothy 2:8 (NASB) — Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, descendant of David, according to my gospel,”
- Acts “Acts 1:1 (LEB) — I produced the former account, O Theophilus, about all ⌞that⌟ Jesus began to do and to teach,”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Jesus — (1.) Joshua, the son of Nun (Acts 7:45; Heb. 4:8; R.V., "Joshua"). (2.) A Jewish Christian surnamed Justus (Col. 4:11). Je'sus, the proper, as Christ is the official, name of our Lord. To distinguish him from others so called, he is spoken of as "Jesus of Nazareth" (John 18:7), and "Jesus the son of Joseph" (John 6:42). This is the Greek form of the Hebrew name Joshua, which was originally Hoshea (Num. 13:8, 16), but changed by Moses into Jehoshua (Num. 13:16; 1 Chr. 7:27), or Joshua. After the Exile it assumed the form Jeshua, whence the Greek form Jesus. It”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Resurrection, The — A doctrine of the Old Testament -- Job 19:26; Ps 16:10; 49:15; Isa 26:19; Da 12:2; Ho 13:14. A first principle of the gospel -- 1Co 15:13,14; Heb 6:1,2. Expected by the Jews -- Joh 11:24; Heb 11:35. Denied by the Sadducees -- Mt 22:23; Lu 20:27; Ac 23:8. Explained away by false teachers -- 2Ti 2:18. Called in question by some in the church -- 1Co 15:12. Is not incredible -- Mr 12:24; Ac 26:8. Is not contrary to reason -- Joh 12:24; 1Co 15:35-49. Assumed and proved by our Lord -- Mt 22:29-32; Lu 14:14; Joh 5:28,29. Preached by the Apostles -- Ac 4:”
- Matthew (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Matthew 22:44: 22:44 The quotation is from Ps 110:1, which is frequently cited by New Testament authors to describe Jesus (see Acts 2:34-35; 1 Cor 15:25; Heb 1:13; 2:8; 10:12-13; Rev 3:21).”
- 1 Peter (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 1 Peter 2:6: 2:6-8 The three Old Testament quotations in these verses each identify Christ as some kind of stone: the cornerstone on which the new temple is built (2:6); the cornerstone that God, despite peoples’ rejection, has elevated to be the keystone of his redemptive plan (2:7); and the stone that makes people stumble (2:8). Jesus quotes Ps 118:22 (Matt 21:42), and Paul quotes both Isa 8:14 and 28:16 (Rom 9:33). Likely these three quotations were brought together very early as a combined Old Testament testimony to the nature and significance of Jesus the Messiah.”
- Acts (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Acts 17:3: Opening,.... That is, the Scriptures of the Old Testament, explaining and expounding them, giving the true sense of them; so this word is frequently used in Jewish writings (e), as that such a Rabbi "opened", such a Scripture: and alleging, that Christ must needs have suffered, and risen again from the dead; he set this matter in a clear light, and made it plain and manifest, from the writings of the Old Testament, that there was a necessity of the Messiah's suffering and rising from the dead; or otherwise these Scriptures would not have been fulfilled, which have sai”
- Romans (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Romans 15:3: 15:3 This quotation is from Ps 69:9. • A number of passages in the New Testament use Psalm 69 to describe Jesus’ suffering (Matt 27:34; Mark 15:35-36; Luke 23:36; John 15:25; 19:28-29). Paul’s quotation of just a small portion of that psalm evokes the whole experience of Jesus’ suffering.”
- 2 Corinthians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 2 Corinthians 5:16: 5:16-17 merely from a human point of view: Paul might be reflecting on his belief at one time as a Pharisee that the Messiah would come to set the Jews free from political oppression. • How differently we know him now! Christ rose from the dead, ushered in the new creation (5:17), and was established as the redeemer from sin and Lord of the universe (Rom 1:3-4; Phil 2:6-11; Col 1:15-20).”
- Luke (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Luke 24:44: 24:44 the law of Moses and the prophets and in the Psalms: Jesus referred to the three sections of the Hebrew Scriptures: the Law, the Prophets, and the Writings. The entire Old Testament points to God’s salvation through Christ.”
- Mark (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Mark 1:2: 1:2-8 This account is not primarily about John the Baptist, the messenger, but about the one he announces as “Jesus the Messiah, the Son of God” (1:1). 1:2-3 Mark includes Old Testament prophecies to support his account of the Good News about Jesus Christ. John the Baptist’s role as the prophetic messenger reveals that Jesus is the promised Lord—Christ, the Son of God. • Isaiah: Mark follows the Jewish practice of mentioning only the most prominent of the sources that make up the quotation (Mal 3:1; Isa 40:3).”