The Question That Has Shaped All of History

A prominent historian once observed that whatever you think of him personally, Jesus Christ is the central figure in the history of Western civilisation. No other person has been more written about, more debated, more loved, or more violently opposed. And yet — despite two thousand years of influence — most people still know remarkably little about who Jesus actually was, what he actually claimed, and why any of it should matter to them today.

Who Is Jesus? by Greg Gilbert is written precisely for those people. Succinct, clear, and genuinely compelling, this short book offers both non-Christians and new believers an honest, careful, and ultimately life-changing portrait of the most important figure who ever lived.

Neither Sentimental nor Evasive

What makes this book stand apart from many popular introductions to Jesus is its refusal to deal in half-truths. Gilbert does not present a comfortable, domesticated Jesus — the gentle teacher, the moral exemplar, the cultural icon. He presents the Jesus of the Gospels: a man who made staggering claims about his own identity, who divided crowds, who died a criminal's death, and who was declared by his followers to have risen from the dead.

These are not comfortable claims. They demand a response. And Gilbert's great skill is presenting them with honesty, clarity, and warmth — inviting readers to consider the evidence carefully rather than accept or dismiss Jesus on the basis of assumption or hearsay.

As J.D. Greear has noted, Gilbert's greatest gift is his ability to make profound things accessible. In Who Is Jesus?, he helps readers see Christ as he presents himself — not as we have remade him in our own image.

Rooted in Scripture, Accessible to All

Gilbert writes as a careful student of the Bible who is also a skilled communicator. He mines the pages of Scripture to lay out what the Gospels actually say about Jesus — his birth, his teaching, his miracles, his death, and his resurrection — and what these events mean for the people who encounter them.

The result is a book that works equally well as a personal read for someone exploring Christianity for the first time, a resource to give to a seeking friend or colleague, or a foundational text for a new believers' group or evangelism follow-up course.

What This Book Covers

Who Jesus claimed to be — his identity as presented in the Gospels, in his own words
The historical significance of Jesus — why even secular historians acknowledge his unparalleled impact
Jesus as teacher — what he actually taught and why his words continue to unsettle and transform
Jesus as Lord and King — the biblical portrait of Jesus as far more than a moral exemplar
The death of Jesus — what it means and why it stands at the centre of the Christian message
The resurrection — the claim that changed everything and what it demands of those who hear it
The invitation of Jesus — what it looks like to respond to who he is and what he has done

What Readers Will Learn

What the Gospels actually say about Jesus — clearly and without assumption
Why the claims Jesus made about himself are historically and intellectually serious, not merely devotional
How Jesus is different from every other religious or moral teacher in history
What the death and resurrection of Jesus mean — and why they are the hinge on which the Christian message turns
Why the question of Jesus's identity is not a matter of religious preference but of truth
How to think through the evidence carefully and come to an informed, honest response
Why this is the most important question any person can ask — and what is at stake in the answer

Who Should Read This Book

Non-Christians who are genuinely curious about who Jesus was and what he claimed
New believers wanting a solid, clear foundation for understanding Christ
Christians looking for a trusted resource to give to seeking friends, colleagues, or family members
Pastors and church workers wanting a reliable evangelism follow-up tool
Youth and campus ministry leaders seeking an accessible Christology resource for young people
Churches in India running evangelism courses, enquirers' groups, or new members classes
Anyone who has grown up around Christianity but never seriously engaged with who Jesus actually is

What Endorsers Are Saying

"In a wonderfully readable and succinct manner, Greg Gilbert mines the pages of Scripture to consider the truth of Christ's claims about himself. This is essential reading for the Christian and the seeker." — Jim Daly, President, Focus on the Family

"Greg's greatest asset is his ability to make profound things simple. Who Is Jesus? helps us distinguish Christ as he presents himself from how we have remade him." — J.D. Greear, Pastor, The Summit Church

"The story of Jesus is not the story of a good man. It is the story of a claimant to the throne. Consider the evidence presented in this work and see where it takes you." — Westminster Bookstore

About the Author

Greg Gilbert (MDiv, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary) is the senior pastor at Third Avenue Baptist Church in Louisville, Kentucky. He is the author of the widely-used What Is the Gospel? and James: A 12-Week Study, and the co-author of What Is the Mission of the Church? — making Who Is Jesus? a natural companion volume in what has become a trusted trilogy of short, accessible 9Marks books for seekers and new believers. Gilbert is known for his ability to handle complex theological material with both intellectual rigour and pastoral warmth, making his writing equally useful for personal evangelism and congregational discipleship. 10ofthose.com

About the 9Marks Series

Who Is Jesus? is part of the 9Marks family of resources published with Crossway, a ministry committed to building healthy, biblically faithful churches and equipping Christians for the work of evangelism and discipleship. The 9Marks series spans books on church membership, church leadership, preaching, worship, and the foundational questions of the Christian faith — making it one of the most trusted and widely-used evangelical resource libraries available today.