Jesus Christ was a religious leader who lived about 2,000 years ago and whose life became the foundation of Christianity, one of the world's major religions. Christians believe he was the Son of God and the Messiah, which means an anointed savior promised in ancient Jewish texts.

According to the Bible's New Testament, Jesus taught about faith, love, forgiveness, and treating others with compassion. He gathered followers called disciples and traveled through the region teaching in parables, which are short stories with moral lessons. The Roman authorities who controlled the area at that time viewed Jesus as a threat, and executed him for blasphemy. Christians believe that Jesus rose from the dead three days later, an event called the Resurrection.

Jesus's teachings emphasized caring for the poor, forgiving others, and loving your neighbor. One famous teaching is called the Golden Rule: treat others the way you want to be treated. Many of his parables, like the story of the Good Samaritan, have influenced Western culture and values for centuries.

Today, over two billion Christians around the world follow Jesus's teachings. Understanding who Jesus was helps you understand much of Western history, art, literature, and culture.