How long has Jesus lived on Earth?

The primary account of life on earth with Jesus Christ is, of course, the Bible. But due to the narrative structure of the Bible and the multiple accounts of the life of Jesus found in the four Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke and John), in the Acts of the Apostles and in some epistles, it may be difficult to put together a timeline of the life of Jesus. How long did you live on earth, and what are the key events of your life here?

What does the Baltimore catechism say?
Question 76 of the Baltimore Catechism, found in Lesson Six of the First Edition of Communion and in Lesson Seventh of Confirmation, frames the question and answers in this way:

Question: How long has Christ lived on earth?

Answer: Christ lived on earth for about thirty-three years and led a most holy life in poverty and suffering.

The key events of life on the earth of Jesus
Many of the key events of life on the earth of Jesus are commemorated every year in the liturgical calendar of the Church. For those events, the list below shows them when we get to them on the calendar, not necessarily in the order in which they occurred in the life of Christ. The notes next to each event clarify the chronological order.

The Annunciation: Jesus' life on earth began not with his birth but with the fiat of the Blessed Virgin Mary, his response to the announcement of the angel Gabriel according to which she had been chosen as Mother of God. At that moment, Jesus it was conceived in the womb of Mary by the Holy Spirit.

The Visitation: still in her mother's womb, Jesus sanctifies John the Baptist before his birth, when Mary goes to visit his cousin Elizabeth (John's mother) and takes care of her in the last days of her pregnancy.

The Nativity: the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem, on the day we know as Christmas.

Circumcision: on the eighth day after his birth, Jesus submits to the Mosaic Law and first sheds his blood for our sake.

Epiphany: the Magi, or sages, visit Jesus in the first three years of his life, revealing him as the Messiah, the Savior.

Presentation in the temple: in another submission to the Law of Moses, Jesus is presented in the temple 40 days after his birth, as the firstborn Son of Mary, who thus belongs to the Lord.

The flight to Egypt: when King Herod, unknowingly advised of the birth of the Messiah by the Magi, orders the massacre of all male children under the age of three, St. Joseph brings Mary and Jesus to safety in Egypt.

The hidden years in Nazareth: after the death of Herod, when the danger for Jesus passed, the Holy Family returns from Egypt to live in Nazareth. From the age of about three years up to the age of about 30 (the beginning of his public ministry), Jesus resides with Joseph (until his death) and Mary in Nazareth, and lives an ordinary life of piety, obedience to Mary and Giuseppe, and manual labor, as a carpenter alongside Giuseppe. These years are called "hidden" because the Gospels record few details of his life right now, with one big exception (see the next article).

The discovery in the temple: at the age of 12, Jesus accompanies Mary and Joseph and many of their relatives in Jerusalem to celebrate the Jewish holidays and, on the return journey, Mary and Joseph realize that he is not with the family. They return to Jerusalem, where they find him in the temple, teaching men the significance of the scriptures much greater than he was.

The baptism of the Lord: the public life of Jesus begins around the age of 30, when he is baptized by John the Baptist in the Jordan River. The Holy Spirit descends in the form of a dove and a voice from Heaven declares that "This is my beloved Son".

Temptation in the desert: after his baptism, Jesus spends 40 days and nights in the desert, fasting, praying and being tried by Satan. Emerged from the process, he is revealed as the new Adam, who remained faithful to God where Adam fell.

The wedding at Cana: in the first of his public miracles, Jesus transforms water into wine at the request of his mother.

The preaching of the Gospel: the public ministry of Jesus begins with the announcement of the kingdom of God and the call of the disciples. Most of the gospels cover this part of the life of Christ.

Miracles: together with his preaching of the Gospel, Jesus performs many miracles: audiences, the multiplication of loaves and fish, the expulsion of demons, the raising of Lazarus from the dead. These signs of Christ's power confirm his teaching and his claim to be the Son of God.

The power of the keys: in response to Peter's profession of faith in the divinity of Christ, Jesus elevates him to the first among the disciples and confers on him "the power of the keys" - the authority to bind and lose, to absolve sins and governs the Church, the Body of Christ on earth.

The transfiguration: in the presence of Peter, James and John, Jesus is transfigured into a taste of the resurrection and is seen in the presence of Moses and Elijah, who represent the Law and the Prophets. As at the baptism of Jesus, a voice is heard from Heaven: “This is my Son, my Elect; listen to it!"

The road to Jerusalem: while Jesus makes his way to Jerusalem and his passion and death, his prophetic ministry to the people of Israel becomes clear.

Entry into Jerusalem: On Palm Sunday, at the beginning of Holy Week, Jesus enters Jerusalem riding a donkey, shouting acclamation from the crowds who recognize in him the Son of David and the Savior.

Passion and death: the joy of the crowd for the presence of Jesus is short-lived, however, since, during the celebration of the Jewish Passover, they rebel against him and ask for his crucifixion. Jesus celebrates the Last Supper with his disciples on Holy Thursday, then suffers death on our behalf on Good Friday. He spends Holy Saturday in the grave.

Resurrection: On Easter Sunday, Jesus rises from the dead, overcoming death and reversing Adam's sin.

The post-resurrection apparitions: in the 40 days following his resurrection, Jesus appears to his disciples and to the Blessed Virgin Mary, explaining those parts of the Gospel relating to his sacrifice that they had never understood before.

Ascension: on the 40th day after his resurrection, Jesus goes up to heaven to take his place at the right hand of God the Father.