This animated film is part of a portrait series that brings big names from history and faith to life. In this episode, we take a closer look at Jesus of Nazareth—someone whose life and message have shaped the world in a monumental way.
Told through bold animation and down-to-earth narration, the film covers the key moments in Jesus’ life: from his birth in a stable, to being baptised in the River Jordan, to the way he taught and connected with people from all walks of life. We follow his journey through the highs and lows—including his crucifixion and the mystery of the resurrection.
Whether you know a little or a lot about Jesus, this film offers a fresh take on his story—showing why his words and actions still matter today. It’s an animated snapshot of a life that changed history, packed with themes of love, justice, sacrifice, and hope.
Transcript
A Portrait Of Jesus Transcript
Narrator: Down through history, there have been special people who stand out because they were inspiring. They challenged beliefs, had new ideas, and sometimes even changed the world. One of those people is Jesus of Nazareth and here's a portrait of his life. Jesus began Christianity, and nearly everything we know about him comes from the Christian holy book, which is called the Bible. This is what Christians believe. Jesus was a Jew who was born in Bethlehem to a virgin called Mary in about four BCE.
A little over 2000 years ago, he started out as a carpenter, but when he was about 30, he was baptized by his cousin John and became a travelling preacher. During his famous sermon on the Mount, Jesus summed up his teaching with the words do to others what you would have them do to you. He also told stories with a point called parables that gave his audience something to think about, and he performed miracles changing water into wine, calming storms, healing the sick, even raising the dead.
He chose 12 men known as disciples, which means pupils or followers, to help spread his teaching. They describe Jesus as the Messiah in Hebrew or Christ in Greek. At first, they hoped he would be a new king of the Jews, but the better they got to know him, the more they came to believe that he was actually God in human form or God's Son. When he was about 33, Jesus was crucified in Jerusalem on the orders of the Roman governor. But on the third day after his execution, he came back to life, which shows God's power over evil and the promise of life after death. Jesus rose up to heaven, promising that one day he would return. Today, Jesus's example and teaching continue to inspire billions of people around the world.
