Sourcing the Life of Jesus in Scripture and Tradition

The life of Jesus Christ is primarily sourced through the biblical Scriptures, which Christians consider to be divinely inspired and authoritative ^[3]. These texts provide the foundational narrative for understanding Jesus's identity, ministry, and significance. Beyond the direct accounts, Christian tradition has also played a role in interpreting and transmitting the understanding of Jesus's life, often drawing heavily from and elaborating upon the scriptural witness.

The name "Jesus" itself is the Greek form of the Hebrew name Joshua, meaning "Jehovah is salvation" or "the Lord saves" ^[1]. He is often distinguished as "Jesus of Nazareth" or "Jesus the son of Joseph" in the Gospels ^[1]. The New Testament presents Jesus as the "author and perfecter of faith" ^[4], whose life and work are central to Christian belief.

Scriptural Foundations

The New Testament Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John) offer detailed accounts of Jesus's life, from his birth and early years to his public ministry, teachings, miracles, crucifixion, resurrection, and ascension. These narratives are considered by Christians to be the primary source for information about Jesus. The Apostle John emphasizes the importance of searching the Scriptures, stating, "Search the scriptures: for you think in them to have life everlasting. And the same are they that give testimony of me" (John 5:39 DRC) ^[2]. This verse highlights the belief that the Old Testament Scriptures also bear witness to Jesus, foreshadowing his coming and work ^{[2, 9]}. John Gill, a Baptist/Reformed commentator, interprets this as a command to diligently search the divine writings for knowledge and improvement, and for testing doctrines ^[8]. He also notes that the Jews already searched the Scriptures, but failed to recognize their testimony to Jesus ^[8].

The Scriptures are described as "given by inspiration of God" and "by inspiration of the Holy Spirit" ^[3]. Jesus himself sanctioned the Scriptures by appealing to them, teaching from them, and referring to them as the "Word of God" ^{[3, 12]}. For instance, when tempted in the wilderness, Jesus responded to Satan by quoting Deuteronomy, saying, "it is written" ^[12]. This demonstrates his reliance on and affirmation of the Old Testament as authoritative ^[12]. The early Christian church continued this practice, with the New Testament Gospels and Epistles being read alongside the Old Testament in public worship ^[13].

The Bible provides specific details about Jesus's human nature, which was essential for his mediatorial office ^[7]. His humanity is evidenced by his conception in the Virgin Mary's womb, his birth, his partaking of flesh and blood, having a human soul, being circumcised, increasing in wisdom and stature, weeping, hungering, thirsting, sleeping, and experiencing weariness ^[7]. These aspects underscore the belief in Jesus's full humanity, while other passages affirm his divine nature.

The Role of Tradition

While Scripture is paramount, Christian tradition has historically played a significant role in interpreting and articulating the life and significance of Jesus. This tradition often involves the collective understanding and teaching of the church throughout history, expressed in creeds, confessions, and theological writings.

One aspect of tradition is the recognition of the Scriptures as the source of eternal life. John Gill notes that the "words or doctrines of Christ... are to be found in the field of the Scriptures, by diligent searching for them; and being found, they are the means of spiritual life, and of maintaining it, and of showing the way, and bringing unto eternal life" ^[11]. This highlights how tradition affirms the life-giving power of Scripture in relation to Jesus.

Tradition also helps to clarify what the Scriptures reveal about Jesus. For example, the concept of "eternal life" is understood through tradition as being revealed by Christ, given by God through Christ, and found in Christ ^[5]. To know God and Christ is considered eternal life ^[5]. This understanding is rooted in passages like John 17:3 and 1 John 5:11, 20 ^[5].

Furthermore, tradition has emphasized the spiritual nature of the life Jesus offers. The Tyndale House commentary on John 6:63 states that "The essence of Jesus’ gift is found in the Holy Spirit alone, not in human effort (literally the flesh). Life and understanding come through the gift of the Spirit" ^[10]. This interpretation, while rooted in the biblical text, reflects a traditional theological emphasis on the Holy Spirit's role in conveying the life of Christ to believers ^[10].

The practice of prayer, as described in Scripture, is also a traditional means by which believers engage with the life and teachings of Jesus ^[6]. While Scripture does not offer a theoretical explanation for prayer's efficacy, it provides directions, types, and examples ^[6]. This practice, passed down through tradition, connects believers to the example of Jesus, who himself prayed frequently.

Sources

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”
John “John 5:39 (DRC) — Search the scriptures: for you think in them to have life everlasting. And the same are they that give testimony of me.”
Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Scriptures, The — Given by inspiration of God -- 2Ti 3:16. Given by inspiration of the Holy Spirit -- Ac 1:16; Heb 3:7; 2Pe 1:21. Christ sanctioned, by appealing to them -- Mt 4:4; Mr 12:10; Joh 7:42. Christ taught out of -- Lu 24:27. Are called the Word. -- Jas 1:21-23; 1Pe 2:2. Word of God. -- Lu 11:28; Heb 4:12. Word of Christ. -- Col 3:16. Word of truth. -- Jas 1:18. Holy Scriptures. -- Ro 1:2; 2Ti 3:15. Scripture of truth. -- Da 10:21. Book. -- Ps 40:7; Re 22:19. Book of the Lord. -- Isa 34:16. Book of the law. -- Ne 8:3; Ga 3:10. Law of the Lord. -- Ps 1:2; Isa”
Hebrews “looking to Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising its shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. -- Hebrews 12:2”
Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Life, Eternal — Christ is -- 1Jo 1:2; 5:20. Revealed by Christ -- Joh 6:68; 2Ti 1:10. To know God and Christ is -- Joh 17:3. Given By God. -- Ps 133:3; Ro 6:23. By Christ. -- Joh 6:27; 10:28. In Christ. -- 1Jo 5:11. Through Christ. -- Ro 5:21; 6:23. To all given to Christ. -- Joh 17:2. To those who believe in God. -- Joh 5:24. To those who believe in Christ. -- Joh 3:15,16; 6:40,47. To those who hate life for Christ. -- Joh 12:25. In answer to prayer. -- Ps 21:4. Revealed in the Scriptures -- Joh 5:39. Results from Drinking the water of life. -- Joh 4:14. Eating the ”
Smith's Bible Dictionary “Smith's Bible Dictionary: Prayer — The object of this article will be to touch briefly on-- + The doctrine of Scripture as to the nature and efficacy of prayer; + Its directions as to time, place and manner of prayer; + Its types and examples of prayer. + Scripture does not give any theoretical explanation of the mystery which attaches to prayer. The difficulty of understanding real efficacy arises chiefly from two sources: from the belief that man lives under general laws, which in all cases must be fulfilled unalterably; and the opposing belief that he is master of his own destiny, and need ”
Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Human Nature of Christ, The — Was necessary to his mediatorial office -- 1Ti 2:5; Heb 2:17; Ga 4:4,5; 1Co 15:21; Ro 6:15,19. Is proved by his Conception in the Virgin's womb. -- Mt 1:18; Lu 1:31. Birth. -- Mt 1:16,25; 2:2; Lu 2:7,11. Partaking of flesh and blood. -- Joh 1:14; Heb 2:14. Having a human soul. -- Mt 26:38; Lu 23:46; Ac 2:31. Circumcision. -- Lu 2:21. Increase in wisdom and stature. -- Lu 2:52. Weeping. -- Lu 19:41; Joh 11:35. Hungering. -- Mt 4:2; 21:18. Thirsting. -- Joh 4:7; 19:28. Sleeping. -- Mt 8:24; Mr 4:38. Being subject to weariness. -- Joh 4:6. ”
John (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on John 5:39: Search the Scriptures,.... The writings of Moses, and the prophets, which were of divine inspiration and authority, and are often appealed unto by Christ, and his apostles, for the truth of what they delivered; and were the standard of faith, and the test of doctrines; and therefore to be searched diligently into, for finding divine knowledge and improvement in it, and for the trial of doctrines. The words may be rendered in the indicative, as an assertion, "ye do search the Scriptures": the Jews had the sacred oracles committed to them, and these they read, not only th”
John (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on John 5:39: Search the scriptures, &c.--"In the Scriptures ye find your charter of eternal life; go search them then, and you will find that I am the Great Burden of their testimony; yet ye will not come to Me for that life eternal which you profess to find there, and of which they tell you I am the appointed Dispenser." (Compare Act 17:11-12). How touching and gracious are these last words! Observe here (1) The honor which Christ gives to the Scriptures, as a record which all have a right and are bound to search--the reverse of which the Church of Rome teaches; (2)”
John (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on John 6:63: 6:63 The essence of Jesus’ gift is found in the Holy Spirit alone, not in human effort (literally the flesh). Life and understanding come through the gift of the Spirit (see 14:15-20; 20:21-22). True life can be found only when the Holy Spirit infuses human life.”
Proverbs (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Proverbs 4:22: For they are life unto those that find them,.... The words or doctrines of Christ, whose type Solomon was, are to be found in the field of the Scriptures, by diligent searching for them; and being found, they are the means of spiritual life, and of maintaining it, and of showing the way, and bringing unto eternal life; see Joh 6:63; and health to all their flesh; the whole man, soul and body, as they are the means of preserving the body from many diseases, which intemperance, lust, and luxury, lead unto, and are curbed by these; so of healing the various diseases ”
Matthew (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Matthew 4:4: But he answered and said, it is written,.... The passage referred to, and cited, is in Deu 8:3 the manner of citing it is what was common and usual with the Jews; and is often to be met with in the Talmudic writings; who, when they produce any passage of scripture, say "as it is written". The meaning of this scripture is; not that as the body lives by bread, so the soul lives by the word of God, and doctrines of the Gospel; though this is a certain truth: or that man lives by obedience to the commands of God, as was promised to the Israelites in the wilderness, and in”
1 Timothy (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 1 Timothy 4:13: Till I come--when Timothy's commission would be superseded for the time by the presence of the apostle himself (Ti1 1:3; Ti1 3:14). reading--especially in the public congregation. The practice of reading Scripture was transferred from the Jewish synagogue to the Christian Church (Luk 4:16-20; Act 13:15; Act 15:21; Co2 3:14). The New Testament Gospel and Epistles being recognized as inspired by those who had the gift of discerning spirits, were from the first, according as they were written, read along with the Old Testament in the Church (Th1 5:21”

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