Jesus Christ is one of the most influential and recognized figures in history, yet even with this popularity, there are countless misconceptions and misunderstandings about him.
Whether these myths arose from mistranslations, cultural assumptions, or misinformation over time, they’ve shaped the way many people view Jesus today.
Here, we uncover 10 of the biggest lies about Jesus that you might not know.
1. Jesus Wrote the New Testament
One of the most common misconceptions is that Jesus himself wrote parts of the Bible, specifically the New Testament.
While Jesus’ teachings are central to the New Testament, he didn’t physically write any part of it.
The New Testament was written after Jesus’ death by his disciples and followers, with many of the books attributed to the Apostle Paul. Jesus’ words were recorded by others, but no direct writings from him exist.
2. Jesus Was White
For centuries, art and religious depictions have portrayed Jesus as a light-skinned man with blue eyes and flowing hair.
However, historical evidence suggests Jesus was a Middle Eastern Jew from Galilee, which means he likely had olive skin, dark hair, and a more robust nose.
Modern forensic reconstructions of 2,000-year-old skulls from the region paint a very different picture of Jesus than what we see in popular imagery today.
3. Muslims Don’t Believe in Jesus
Contrary to popular belief, Jesus is an important figure in Islam.
While Muslims do not consider him the son of God, they recognize him as a significant prophet and refer to him as “Isa” in the Quran.
Muslims believe in his miraculous birth and many of his teachings, but they don’t share the Christian view of his divinity or crucifixion.
4. Jesus Was a Christian
It’s easy to assume that Jesus was a Christian, given that he’s the central figure of Christianity.
However, Jesus was born, lived, and died as a Jew.
He practiced Jewish customs, observed Jewish laws, and his early followers were Jewish.
Christianity, as a separate religion, didn’t emerge until after his death when his followers were called “Christians” by others.
5. Jesus’ Name Wasn’t Jesus
Surprisingly, “Jesus” wasn’t his original name. Jesus’ Hebrew name was “Yeshua” or “Yehoshua,” which means “Joshua” in English.
The name Jesus is a Greek translation of this Hebrew name.
As Christianity spread through Greek-speaking regions, “Yeshua” became “Jesus” through translation, and that’s how we’ve come to know him today.
6. Jesus Had Only 12 Disciples
While the Bible commonly references Jesus having 12 disciples, he had many more followers than that.
The 12 men known as the apostles were appointed to spread his message, but Jesus had a much larger group of disciples, possibly numbering in the hundreds.
Luke’s Gospel even mentions sending out 70 additional followers to preach.
7. Jesus Only Taught as an Adult
Another common misconception is that Jesus began teaching only after reaching adulthood.
But according to biblical accounts, Jesus was already preaching and astonishing religious leaders at the age of 12.
In one story, he was found in the temple teaching adults, who were amazed by his knowledge and understanding, even as a child.
8. There Were Three Wise Men
The nativity story often includes three wise men visiting baby Jesus. However, the Bible doesn’t specify the number of wise men (also called magi).
The number three likely comes from the fact that they brought three gifts: gold, frankincense, and myrrh. There could have been more (or fewer) wise men present at Jesus’ birth.
9. Jesus Was an Only Child
Many people believe that Jesus was Mary’s only child, but the Bible indicates that Jesus had siblings.
In the Gospels, Jesus is referred to as having brothers named James, Joseph, Simon, and Judas, and sisters as well.
This suggests that Jesus had a family beyond his well-known mother, Mary.
10. Jesus Was Born on December 25th
Perhaps one of the most widely believed myths is that Jesus was born on December 25th. In truth, there’s no biblical evidence specifying the date of Jesus’ birth.
The association with December 25th came centuries later, possibly as a way to align with existing pagan celebrations.
Based on historical clues, some scholars believe Jesus may have been born in the spring or fall, rather than in winter.
Conclusion
These are just some of the biggest myths and misconceptions about Jesus that have persisted over the centuries.
Whether through cultural adaptations or misunderstandings, the real Jesus is often hidden behind layers of tradition and legend.
By uncovering the truth behind these myths, we can better appreciate the historical and religious significance of his life and teachings.
Johnny specializes in content related to Jesus, the Bible, and religious topics. With a profound understanding of spirituality, Johnny’s articles are both insightful and inspiring, guiding readers through the complexities of faith.
