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Jesus of Nazareth (c. 4 BCE–30 CE) was a Jewish preacher and teacher in Roman-occupied Judea whose ethical teachings, parables, and claimed resurrection became the theological and ethical foundation of Christianity. His sayings, preserved in the Synoptic Gospels, center on love of neighbor, forgiveness, and the coming Kingdom of God. Historically situated within Second Temple Judaism, he is regarded by Christians as the incarnate Son of God and by scholars as one of the most influential figures in the history of Western moral philosophy.
Delivered the Sermon on the Mount, articulating a comprehensive ethical framework centered on love, humility, and non-retaliation
Taught through parables that reframed justice, mercy, and neighbor-love across social boundaries
Established the Great Commandment (love God and neighbor) as the summation of moral law
Central figure whose life and teachings generated the New Testament canon and Christian theological tradition
Influenced Western ethics, political philosophy, and liberation theology across two millennia