# The Nazarene — Ben Hur character guide

> The Nazarene in Ben Hur by Lew Wallace.

**Role:** major

**Also known as:** Nazarene, Jesus of Nazareth, Christ

**First appearance:** 0001-ben-hur

## Snapshot

The Galilean preacher whose power Ben-Hur longs to bend toward a Jewish crown, and whose purposes quietly overturn every scheme built around him.

## Who they are

To Ben-Hur, the Nazarene is first a political possibility—a king who could raise all Israel and cast down Rome—and the exile rehearses speeches he hopes the man will speak. Yet the miracles that healed his mother and sister force Ben-Hur to reckon with a double nature he cannot fit into a soldier's plan. The Nazarene's patient silence and refusal of the crown become the novel's central test, drawing Ben-Hur from vengeance toward a kingdom he never imagined.

## Relationships

### [Ben-Hur](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/ben_hur_se/characters/ben_hur)

_psychological_

Ben-Hur is deeply influenced by the Nazarene (Jesus), whose teachings of forgiveness and sacrifice transform his vengeful heart.

### [Ben-Hur](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/ben_hur_se/characters/ben_hur)

_psychological_

Ben-Hur is deeply influenced by the Nazarene (Jesus), whose teachings of forgiveness and sacrifice transform his vengeful heart.

### [Ben-Hur](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/ben_hur_se/characters/ben_hur)

_psychological_

Ben-Hur is deeply influenced by the Nazarene (Jesus), whose teachings of forgiveness and sacrifice transform his vengeful heart.

## In the story

### [Epigraph](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/ben_hur_se/chapters/epigraph)

Referred to as the 'Prince of Light' in Milton's epigraph.

### [The Annunciation to the Shepherds](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/ben_hur_se/chapters/xi)

The newborn Christ child, lying in a manger in swaddling-clothes.

### [The Mother's Counsel](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/ben_hur_se/chapters/v)

Not present in this chapter.

### [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/ben_hur_se/chapters/vii)

The young Jesus, apprentice to Joseph, offers Ben-Hur a drink and silently blesses him.

### [Book VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/ben_hur_se/chapters/book-vi)

His influence grows as Ben-Hur witnesses key moments of His ministry.

### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/ben_hur_se/chapters/v)

Appears as a slender figure with a compassionate countenance; Ben-Hur recognizes him as the one who helped him at the well in Nazareth.

### [Chapter III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/ben_hur_se/chapters/iii)

The healer and Messiah whom the women seek; he is said to be coming from Bethphage on the road to Jerusalem.

### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/ben_hur_se/chapters/iv)

Heals the leprous woman and her daughter, demonstrating divine power and compassion.

### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/ben_hur_se/chapters/v)

Central figure in Ben-Hur's thoughts; Ben-Hur speculates on his divine and political roles.

### [Chapter VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/ben_hur_se/chapters/vii)

Ben-Hur sees the face of the Nazarene in his mind, provoking the question of what manner of man he is.

### [Chapter VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/ben_hur_se/chapters/viii)

Arrested in the garden, heals a wounded man, refuses rescue, and is led away bound.

### [Chapter IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/ben_hur_se/chapters/ix)

Appears near death, wearing a crown of thorns and a stained gown, as he is led to crucifixion.

### [The Crucifixion and Aftermath](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/ben_hur_se/chapters/x)

Crucified on Golgotha, promises Paradise to the penitent thief, and dies amid darkness.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/ben_hur_se/characters/the_nazarene
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/ben_hur_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/ben_hur_se/characters