What do different religions believe about Jesus?
In short
Jesus of Nazareth is one of the most significant figures in human history, and different traditions hold remarkably varied views about who he was, what he did, and why he matters. Far from being purely a Christian concern, Jesus appears in several major world religions, each interpreting him through their own lens.
Perspectives across traditions
Christianity
Christians believe Jesus is the Son of God, the second person of the Trinity, who became fully human while remaining fully divine. His death on the cross is understood as an atoning sacrifice for human sin, and his physical resurrection is seen as the foundation of the faith. He is worshipped as Lord and Saviour, and Christians believe he will return at the end of time.
Islam
Islam holds Jesus, known as Isa, in very high regard as one of the greatest prophets sent by God. He is described in the Quran as the Messiah, born of a virgin, and gifted with miracles including healing the sick and raising the dead. Muslims do not believe he is divine or that he died on the cross; Islamic teaching holds that God raised him up before crucifixion could occur, and that he will return before the Day of Judgement.
Judaism
Judaism does not recognise Jesus as the Messiah, as Jewish tradition holds that the Messiah has not yet come and will fulfil specific biblical prophecies such as rebuilding the Temple and ushering in universal peace. Jesus is generally viewed as a Jewish teacher or preacher who lived in first-century Judea. His divinity and resurrection are not accepted within mainstream Jewish thought.
Hinduism
Hinduism has no single official view of Jesus, but many Hindus respect him as a great spiritual teacher, a holy man, or even an avatar, a divine being who took human form. His teachings on love, compassion, and selfless service resonate with Hindu values. Some Hindu thinkers, such as Swami Vivekananda and Mahatma Gandhi, expressed deep admiration for Jesus while interpreting him within a broader universal spirituality.
Buddhism
Buddhism has no doctrinal position on Jesus, but many Buddhists regard him with respect as a compassionate teacher whose ethical teachings bear similarity to Buddhist principles. Some see parallels between Jesus and the Bodhisattva ideal, the idea of one who acts for the liberation and wellbeing of all beings. His divinity is not a concept that fits within Buddhist frameworks, which do not centre on a creator God.
Sikhism
Sikh scripture and tradition do not mention Jesus directly, but Sikhs generally respect him as a holy man and messenger of love and truth. His emphasis on equality, service, and devotion to God aligns with core Sikh values. Sikhs would not regard any individual as the unique or exclusive incarnation of God, since Sikh theology centres on the one formless God who is beyond human form.
Secular / Philosophical
From a secular perspective, Jesus was a historical Jewish figure whose teachings had an extraordinary impact on world history, ethics, and culture. Historians broadly accept that he existed, preached in Galilee and Judea, and was crucified under Roman rule. Many non-religious thinkers admire his moral teachings on forgiveness, care for the poor, and human dignity, while approaching claims of divinity or resurrection as matters of faith rather than historical fact.
Common ground
Across nearly every tradition, Jesus is recognised as a figure of moral seriousness and deep compassion. Whether viewed as God incarnate, a great prophet, an enlightened teacher, or a remarkable human being, almost no tradition dismisses him as insignificant. His teachings on love, justice, and care for others resonate far beyond the boundaries of any single faith.
“What is it about this one person that has provoked such profound reflection across so many different cultures and centuries? Whatever your starting point, sitting with the variety of ways people have encountered Jesus can open up fresh questions about what it means to live well and treat others with dignity.”
Keep exploring
These answers explore how different traditions approach the question, shared for reflection. They are generated with the help of AI and are not a substitute for professional religious, medical, legal or mental-health advice.
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