Did You Know?

Jesus was circumcised on the eighth day, as was customary Jewish practice.

This event, along with his formal naming, is recorded in Luke 2:21, following the instructions originally given regarding circumcision in Genesis 17:12. This detail emphasizes Jesus' full participation in Jewish religious customs from infancy.

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As a young boy, Jesus was found in the Temple discussing matters with religious teachers.

This episode, occurring when Jesus was twelve years old, is recorded in Luke 2:41-49, describing his parents' anxious search before finding him engaged in learned discussion. Jesus responds to his parents by asking, 'wist ye not that I must be about my Father's business?' (Luke 2:49).

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John the Baptist baptized Jesus in the Jordan River, marking the beginning of Jesus' public ministry.

During this baptism, described in Matthew 3:13-17, a voice from heaven declares, 'This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased,' while the Spirit descends like a dove. This event is considered a key moment affirming Jesus' identity and mission.

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After his baptism, Jesus fasted for 40 days in the wilderness and was tempted by the devil.

This period of testing is recorded in Matthew 4:1-11, including three specific temptations related to physical need, presumption, and worldly power. Jesus responded to each temptation by quoting Scripture from the Book of Deuteronomy.

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Jesus called his first disciples while they were working as fishermen along the Sea of Galilee.

This calling, including Simon Peter and his brother Andrew, is recorded in Matthew 4:18-20, with Jesus inviting them to become 'fishers of men.' Several of Jesus' twelve apostles were originally fishermen by trade.

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Jesus selected twelve apostles to serve as his closest followers and later leaders of the early church.

Their names are listed in Matthew 10:2-4, including figures such as Peter, James, John, and Judas Iscariot. The number twelve is often understood as symbolically connected to the twelve tribes of Israel.

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The Sermon on the Mount contains some of Jesus' most well-known teachings, including the Beatitudes.

This extended teaching is recorded in Matthew 5-7, opening with blessings such as 'Blessed are the poor in spirit' (Matthew 5:3). It also includes the Lord's Prayer (Matthew 6:9-13) and teachings on topics such as anger, forgiveness, and worry.

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Jesus taught his followers the Lord's Prayer as a model for how to pray.

This prayer, found in Matthew 6:9-13, includes phrases such as 'Give us this day our daily bread' and 'forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.' It remains one of the most widely recited prayers across various Christian traditions.

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Jesus was transfigured before three of his disciples, appearing radiant alongside Moses and Elijah.

This event, recorded in Matthew 17:1-8, involved Jesus' face shining 'as the sun' and his clothing becoming 'white as the light.' A voice from a cloud again affirmed Jesus as God's beloved Son, echoing his earlier baptism.

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Jesus wept at the tomb of his friend Lazarus before raising him from the dead.

This moment, containing the shortest verse in the Bible, 'Jesus wept' (John 11:35), reflects Jesus' emotional response despite knowing he was about to perform a miracle. Lazarus was subsequently raised after having been dead for four days (John 11:39-44).

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