Story mode

Scroll through the history of salvation, from Creation to the coming of Christ.

Scripture
Catechism
Church teaching
Private revelation
Tradition
Early Christian source
Historical context
Interpretation
Popular devotion

Not datable — primeval history · Uncertain
Creation
Adam and Eve
In Jesus' genealogy
Scripture
God creates the world good and makes humanity in his image, free and called to communion with him. Tempted, the first couple disobey; trust is broken and death enters human life.
Genesis 1:26–31 · Genesis 3:1–19
Tradition
The Church teaches that the account of the fall uses figurative language but affirms a real event at the beginning of human history (CCC 390), and reads God's word to the serpent as the first announcement of salvation (CCC 410).
I will put enmities between thee and the woman, and thy seed and her seed: she shall crush thy head, and thou shalt lie in wait for her heel.
Genesis 3:15
Not datable — primeval history · Uncertain
Noah
The covenant after the flood
In Jesus' genealogy
Scripture
Violence fills the earth. God saves Noah, his family and the animals, and makes a covenant with every living creature never again to destroy the earth by a flood.
Genesis 6:11–14 · Genesis 9:8–17
I will set my bow in the clouds, and it shall be the sign of a covenant between me, and between the earth.
Genesis 9:13
Traditionally c. 2000–1700 BC; debated · Traditional
Abraham
God's promise: descendants, land and blessing
In Jesus' genealogy
Scripture
God calls Abraham to leave his land and promises a great nation, a land, and blessing for all the families of the earth through him. Abraham believes.
Genesis 12:1–4 · Genesis 15:5–6
Interpretation
From here the whole Bible can be read as the story of how this promise is kept.
And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and magnify thy name, and thou shalt be blessed. I will bless them that bless thee, and curse them that curse thee, and IN THEE shall all the kindred of the earth be blessed:
Genesis 12:2–3
Full biblical profile →
Patriarchal period — traditional · Traditional
Isaac
Son of the promise
In Jesus' genealogy
Scripture
Born when it seemed impossible, Isaac is the child through whom the promise continues. On Mount Moriah God stops Abraham's hand and provides a ram.
Genesis 21:1–7 · Genesis 22:1–19
And Abraham said: God will provide himself a victim for an holocaust, my son. So they went on together.
Genesis 22:8
Patriarchal period — traditional · Traditional
Jacob / Israel
Origins of the twelve tribes
In Jesus' genealogy
Scripture
Jacob wrestles with God and receives the name Israel. His twelve sons become the twelve tribes of the people of God.
Genesis 32:28 · Genesis 35:22–26
But he said: Thy name shall not be called Jacob, but Israel: for if thou hast been strong against God, how much more shalt thou prevail against men?
Genesis 32:28
Patriarchal period — traditional · Traditional
Joseph of Egypt
Providence, forgiveness and Israel in Egypt
Not in Jesus' genealogy
Joseph son of Jacob is not an ancestor of Jesus: the line passes through his brother Judah.
Scripture
Sold by his brothers, Joseph rises to power in Egypt, forgives them and saves his family from famine. Israel settles in Egypt.
Genesis 37:26–28 · Genesis 45:4–8
Scripture
His words sum up the story: you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good.
Genesis 50:20
You thought evil against me: but God turned it into good, that he might exalt me, as at present you see, and might save many people.
Genesis 50:20
Often placed in the 13th century BC; some prefer the 15th · Approximate
Moses
Exodus, Passover, covenant and Law
Not in Jesus' genealogy
Moses is not part of Jesus' genealogy — he belongs to the story of salvation, not to the family line.
Scripture
God reveals his name to Moses at the burning bush, frees Israel from slavery through the Passover and the crossing of the sea, and makes a covenant at Sinai, giving the Law.
Exodus 3:14 · Exodus 12 · Exodus 14 · Exodus 20 · Exodus 24
Scripture
Jesus celebrates the Last Supper in the setting of the Passover; the New Testament presents him as the Passover lamb.
Luke 22:7–20 · 1 Corinthians 5:7
God said to Moses: I AM WHO AM. He said: Thus shalt thou say to the children of Israel: HE WHO IS, hath sent me to you.
Exodus 3:14
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c. 1200 BC — approximate; historical reconstruction debated · Approximate
Joshua
Israel enters the Promised Land
Not in Jesus' genealogy
Joshua is not in Jesus' genealogy. His name, Yehoshua, is the Hebrew form of the name Jesus.
Scripture
Moses' successor leads Israel across the Jordan into the land promised to Abraham and renews the covenant at Shechem.
Joshua 3 · Joshua 24:14–28
Historical context
Archaeologists debate how the settlement of Canaan happened; the book of Joshua tells it as a theological account of God keeping his promise.
But if it seem evil to you to serve the Lord, you have your choice: choose this day that which pleaseth you, whom you would rather serve, whether the gods which your fathers served in Mesopotamia, or the gods of the Amorrhites, in whose land you dwell: but as for me and my house we will serve the Lord.
Joshua 24:15
c. 1200–1050 BC · Approximate
Judges
Before the monarchy
In Jesus' genealogy
Scripture
A recurring cycle: Israel forgets God, falls under oppression, cries out, and God raises up judges — Deborah, Gideon, Samson — to deliver them.
Judges 2:11–19
Scripture
The story of Ruth and Boaz, David's great-grandparents, is set in this time.
Ruth 1:1 · Ruth 4:17
And the Lord raised up judges, to deliver them from the hands of those that oppressed them: but they would not hearken to them,
Judges 2:16
11th century BC — approximate · Approximate
Samuel
Prophet of the transition to kingship
Not in Jesus' genealogy
Samuel is not in Jesus' genealogy; he anoints David, who is.
Scripture
Called as a boy in the sanctuary at Shiloh, Samuel becomes prophet and judge. When the people ask for a king, he warns them — and anoints first Saul, then David.
1 Samuel 3:1–10 · 1 Samuel 8:4–22 · 1 Samuel 16:13
And the Lord came and stood: and he called, as he had called the other times: Samuel, Samuel. And Samuel said: Speak, Lord, for thy servant heareth.
1 Samuel 3:10
c. 1050–1010 BC — approximate · Approximate
Saul
First king of Israel
Not in Jesus' genealogy
Saul, of the tribe of Benjamin, is not an ancestor of Jesus.
Scripture
Anointed by Samuel, Saul begins well but disobeys God; his reign ends in defeat on Mount Gilboa.
1 Samuel 10:1 · 1 Samuel 15:10–23 · 1 Samuel 31
And Samuel took a little vial of oil and poured it upon his head, and kissed him, and said: Behold, the Lord hath anointed thee to be prince over his inheritance, and thou shalt deliver his people out of the hands of their enemies, that are round about them. And this shall be a sign unto thee, that God hath anointed thee to be prince.
1 Samuel 10:1
c. 1010–970 BC · Approximate
David
King of Israel — and the promise of an everlasting house
In Jesus' genealogy
Scripture
God promises David a house — a dynasty — and a kingdom that will endure for ever.
2 Samuel 7:12–16
Scripture
That is why Israel awaited a king from David's line, and why people call out to Jesus as Son of David. The angel tells Mary that God will give him the throne of his father David.
Mark 10:47 · Matthew 21:9 · Luke 1:32–33
And thy house shall be faithful, and thy kingdom for ever before thy face, and thy throne shall be firm for ever.
2 Samuel 7:16
Full biblical profile →
c. 970–931 BC · Approximate
Solomon
Temple, wisdom and kingdom
In Jesus' genealogy
Scripture
David's son asks for wisdom and builds the Temple, where God promises to dwell among his people — though heaven itself cannot contain him.
1 Kings 3:9 · 1 Kings 8:27–30
Scripture
John's Gospel later speaks of Jesus' body as the true temple.
John 2:19–21
Is it then to be thought that God should indeed dwell upon earth? for if heaven, and the heavens of heavens cannot contain thee, how much less this house which I have built?
1 Kings 8:27
Full biblical profile →
From c. 930 BC; Israel falls to Assyria in 722/721 BC · Firm
The divided kingdom
Israel in the north, Judah in the south
Scripture
After Solomon, the kingdom splits: ten tribes form the kingdom of Israel in the north (capital Samaria); Judah, with Jerusalem and David's dynasty, remains in the south.
1 Kings 12:16–20
Historical context
Assyria destroys the northern kingdom in 722/721 BC. Judah survives — and David's line continues there.
Then the people seeing that the king would not hearken to them, answered him, saying : What portion have we in David? or what inheritance in the son of Isai? Go home to thy dwellings, O Israel, now David look to thy own house. So Israel departed to their dwellings.
1 Kings 12:16
9th–5th centuries BC · Approximate
The prophets
Calling the people back — and announcing what God will do
Scripture
The prophets speak God's word to their own time: they denounce injustice and idolatry, call to conversion, and announce both judgement and hope.
Amos 5:24 · Hosea 6:6
Interpretation
Below, each card shows first what a passage says in its own setting, then how the New Testament and Christian tradition read it in the light of Christ. The two are not the same — and both matter.
- Isaiah
  8th century BC (the book also contains later material)
  Scripture
  Prophet in Jerusalem under Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz and Hezekiah; he calls Judah to trust God rather than alliances.
  Isaiah 1:1 · Isaiah 6:1–8
  Isaiah 7:14Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign. Behold a virgin shall conceive, and bear…
  Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign. Behold a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and his name shall be called Emmanuel.
  In its own setting
  Scripture
  A sign to King Ahaz during a war: a young woman (almah; the Greek translates virgin) will bear a son named Emmanuel, and before he grows up the threat will pass.
  Read in the light of Christ
  Scripture
  Matthew reads it as fulfilled in Jesus' virginal conception: Emmanuel, God with us.
  Matthew 1:22–23
  Isaiah 53:5But he was wounded for our iniquities, he was bruised for our sins: the chastisement of ou…
  But he was wounded for our iniquities, he was bruised for our sins: the chastisement of our peace was upon him, and by his bruises we are healed.
  In its own setting
  Scripture
  A servant of the Lord suffers for the sins of others and is vindicated. Jewish readers have often understood the servant as Israel or a faithful remnant.
  Read in the light of Christ
  Scripture
  The New Testament applies the passage to Jesus' Passion.
  Acts of the Apostles 8:32–35 · 1 Peter 2:24
  Isaiah 9:6For a CHILD IS BORN to us, and a son is given to us, and the government is upon his should…
  For a CHILD IS BORN to us, and a son is given to us, and the government is upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called, Wonderful, Counsellor, God the Mighty, the Father of the world to come, the Prince of Peace.
  In its own setting
  Scripture
  The birth of a royal child from David's line, bringing light and an endless peace.
  Read in the light of Christ
  Tradition
  Christian liturgy, especially at Christmas, reads this passage as announcing Christ.
- Jeremiah
  Late 7th – early 6th century BC
  Scripture
  Prophet before and during the fall of Jerusalem; he suffered for announcing judgement and promised a new covenant.
  Jeremiah 1:4–10 · Jeremiah 31:31–34
  Jeremiah 31:31Behold the days shall come, saith the Lord, and I will make a new covenant with the house …
  Behold the days shall come, saith the Lord, and I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Juda:
  In its own setting
  Scripture
  God promises a new covenant with Israel and Judah, written on the heart.
  Read in the light of Christ
  Scripture
  At the Last Supper Jesus speaks of the new covenant in his blood; the Letter to the Hebrews quotes the whole passage.
  Luke 22:20 · Hebrews 8:8–12
- Ezekiel
  6th century BC, among the exiles in Babylon
  Scripture
  Priest and prophet in exile; his visions announce both judgement and restoration.
  Ezekiel 1:1–3 · Ezekiel 37:1–14
  Ezekiel 36:26And I will give you a new heart, and put a new spirit within you: and I will take away the…
  And I will give you a new heart, and put a new spirit within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and will give you a heart of flesh.
  In its own setting
  Scripture
  God promises to give his people a new heart and a new spirit.
  Read in the light of Christ
  Interpretation
  Christians see this fulfilled in the gift of the Holy Spirit.
  Ezekiel 34:23AND I WILL SET UP ONE SHEPHERD OVER THEM, and he shall feed them, even my servant David: h…
  AND I WILL SET UP ONE SHEPHERD OVER THEM, and he shall feed them, even my servant David: he shall feed them, and he shall be their shepherd.
  In its own setting
  Scripture
  Against bad shepherds, God promises to shepherd his flock himself and to set over them one shepherd, his servant David.
  Read in the light of Christ
  Scripture
  Jesus presents himself as the good shepherd.
  John 10:11–16
- Daniel
  Set in the Babylonian exile; many scholars date the book's final form to the 2nd century BC
  Scripture
  A faithful Jew at the Babylonian court; the book's visions announce God's kingdom overcoming the empires.
  Daniel 6 · Daniel 7
  Daniel 7:13–14I beheld therefore in the vision of the night, and lo, one like the son of man came with t…
  I beheld therefore in the vision of the night, and lo, one like the son of man came with the clouds of heaven, and he came even to the Ancient of days: and they presented him before him. And he gave him power, and glory, and a kingdom: and all peoples, tribes and tongues shall serve him: his power is an everlasting power that shall not be taken away: and his kingdom that shall not be destroyed.
  In its own setting
  Scripture
  In a vision, one like a son of man comes with the clouds and receives an everlasting kingdom.
  Read in the light of Christ
  Scripture
  Jesus calls himself the Son of Man and, before the high priest, alludes to this vision.
  Mark 14:61–62
- Micah
  8th century BC
  Scripture
  A contemporary of Isaiah from the countryside of Judah; he denounced injustice and called for justice, mercy and humility.
  Micah 6:8
  Micah 5:2AND THOU, BETHLEHEM Ephrata, art a little one among the thousands of Juda: out of thee sha…
  AND THOU, BETHLEHEM Ephrata, art a little one among the thousands of Juda: out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be the ruler in Israel: and his going forth is from the beginning, from the days of eternity.
  In its own setting
  Scripture
  From Bethlehem, the small town of David's family, will come a ruler for Israel.
  Read in the light of Christ
  Scripture
  Matthew quotes it when the Magi ask where the Messiah is to be born.
  Matthew 2:4–6
- Hosea
  8th century BC, northern kingdom
  Scripture
  Through his own wounded marriage he speaks of God's faithful love for an unfaithful people.
  Hosea 2:14–20 · Hosea 11:1–9
  Hosea 11:1
  In its own setting
  Scripture
  God remembers the Exodus: out of Egypt I called my son — the son is Israel.
  Read in the light of Christ
  Scripture
  Matthew applies it to the Holy Family's return from Egypt: Jesus relives Israel's story.
  Matthew 2:15
- Elijah
  9th century BC, northern kingdom
  Scripture
  Defender of faith in the Lord against the worship of Baal; he meets God in a still small voice and is taken up in a whirlwind.
  1 Kings 18:20–40 · 1 Kings 19:11–13 · 2 Kings 2:11
  Malachi 4:5Behold I will send you Elias the prophet, before the coming of the great and dreadful day …
  Behold I will send you Elias the prophet, before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord.
  In its own setting
  Scripture
  The last prophet of the Old Testament canon promises that Elijah will be sent before the great day of the Lord.
  Read in the light of Christ
  Scripture
  Jesus identifies John the Baptist with the Elijah who was to come; Elijah appears with Moses at the Transfiguration.
  Matthew 11:14 · Matthew 17:1–13
- Elisha
  9th century BC, northern kingdom
  Scripture
  Elijah's disciple and successor, who asked for a double share of his spirit; his miracles include healing Naaman and feeding a hundred people.
  2 Kings 2:9–15 · 2 Kings 5:1–14 · 2 Kings 4:42–44
  2 Kings 4:42–44
  In its own setting
  Scripture
  Twenty loaves feed a hundred people, and some is left over.
  Read in the light of Christ
  Interpretation
  Many readers see this as foreshadowing Jesus' feeding of the multitudes; Jesus himself recalls Elisha healing Naaman the Syrian.
  Luke 4:27 · Mark 6:35–44
Jerusalem falls 587/586 BC · Firm
Exile
Babylonian captivity
In Jesus' genealogy
Scripture
Babylon takes Jerusalem, destroys the Temple and deports much of the people. In exile Israel grieves — and the prophets promise a new covenant and return.
2 Kings 25:8–21 · Jeremiah 29:10–14
Scripture
Matthew marks the deportation to Babylon as one of the three turning points of his genealogy.
Matthew 1:11–12 · Matthew 1:17
From 538 BC (edict of Cyrus); Temple completed c. 515 BC · Firm
Return
Back to Jerusalem; the Temple rebuilt
In Jesus' genealogy
Scripture
Cyrus of Persia allows the exiles to return. Under Zerubbabel the Temple is rebuilt; later Ezra and Nehemiah restore the walls and the reading of the Law.
Ezra 1:1–4 · Ezra 3:8–13 · Nehemiah 8:1–12
Who is there among you of all his people? His God be with him. Let him go up to Jerusalem, which is in Jndert, and build the house of the Lord the God of Israel: he is the God that is in Jerusalem.
Ezra 1:3
c. 515 BC – 1st century AD · Firm
Expectation of the Messiah
What Messiah — Christ — means
Scripture
Messiah (Hebrew mashiach) and Christ (Greek christos) both mean anointed. Kings, priests and sometimes prophets were anointed for their mission.
1 Samuel 10:1 · John 1:41
Historical context
Under Persian, Greek and Roman rule, Jewish hopes took many forms: a royal Messiah from David's line, a priestly figure, a prophet like Moses. There was no single expectation.
Tradition
Christians confess Jesus as the Christ: anointed by the Holy Spirit as prophet, priest and king (CCC 436).
He findeth first his brother Simon, and saith to him: We have found the Messias, which is, being interpreted, the Christ.
John 1:41
Ministry c. AD 28–29 · Approximate
John the Baptist
The forerunner
Not in Jesus' genealogy
John is Jesus' kinsman through his mother Elizabeth (Luke 1:36), not part of the genealogies.
Scripture
The last of the prophets of Israel's expectation and the first witness to Jesus: he calls to repentance, baptises in the Jordan, and points to Jesus as the Lamb of God.
Luke 3:2–6 · John 1:29
Scripture
Jesus says that John is the Elijah who was to come.
Matthew 11:14 · Malachi 4:5
The next day, John saw Jesus coming to him, and he saith: Behold the Lamb of God, behold him who taketh away the sin of the world.
John 1:29
Full biblical profile →
c. 7–4 BC · Approximate
Mary
Annunciation and Incarnation
In Jesus' genealogy
Scripture
The angel Gabriel announces that Mary will conceive by the Holy Spirit a son, Jesus, who will receive the throne of David. She answers: be it done to me according to your word.
Luke 1:26–38
And Mary said: Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it done to me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her.
Luke 1:38
Full biblical profile →
c. 7–4 BC · Approximate
Joseph
House of David; protector of Jesus and Mary
In Jesus' genealogy
Scripture
Called son of David by the angel, Joseph takes Mary as his wife and names the child, giving him his place in David's house; he protects the family in Egypt and Nazareth.
Matthew 1:20–25 · Matthew 2:13–23
But while he thought on these things, behold the angel of the Lord appeared to him in his sleep, saying: Joseph, son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife, for that which is conceived in her, is of the Holy Ghost. And she shall bring forth a son: and thou shalt call his name JESUS. For he shall save his people from their sins.
Matthew 1:20–21
Full biblical profile →

Scripture

The Promise becomes a Person

The promises to Abraham, to David and through the prophets meet in Jesus of Nazareth.

And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we saw his glory, the glory as it were of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.

John 1:14 · 2 Corinthians 1:20 · Luke 24:27

Continue: the life of Jesus →Read Luke's Gospel Going through

Story mode

Creation

Noah

Abraham

Isaac

Jacob / Israel

Joseph of Egypt

Moses

Joshua

Judges

Samuel

Saul

David

Solomon

The divided kingdom

The prophets

Exile

Return

Expectation of the Messiah

John the Baptist

Mary

Joseph

The Promise becomes a Person