# Jesus of Nazareth — Short Fiction character guide

> Jesus of Nazareth in Short Fiction by Leonid Andreyev.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Jesus

**First appearance:** 0001-short-fiction

## Snapshot

The exhausted, hunted teacher whose quiet sleep in a borrowed house becomes the still center around which his betrayer's anguish turns.

## Who they are

Worn down by daily siege from the Pharisees, Jesus rests while Peter sings and builds a table nearby, unaware of the thirty pieces of silver already counted against him. He is loved with a fierce, almost maternal tenderness by the very man who will sell him — a love that makes his oblivious sleep both unbearably peaceful and unbearably sad. His gentleness and his doom are inseparable here, and the story's early arc draws its power from watching devotion and betrayal circle the same sleeping figure.

## Relationships

### [Judas Iscariot](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_34_se/characters/judas_iscariot)

_psychological_

Jesus of Nazareth and Judas Iscariot have a deeply conflicted relationship, with Jesus aware of Judas's betrayal yet still showing compassion.

### [Judas Iscariot](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_34_se/characters/judas_iscariot)

_psychological_

Jesus of Nazareth and Judas Iscariot have a deeply conflicted relationship, with Jesus aware of Judas's betrayal yet still showing compassion.

## In the story

### [On the Day of the Crucifixion](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_34_se/chapters/on-the-day-of-the-crucifixion)

Crucified on Golgotha; briefly seen stumbling under the cross, but Ben-Tovit remains unmoved.

### [Lazarus](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_34_se/chapters/lazarus)

The one who performs the miracle of raising Lazarus, facing the consequences of this act.

### [Judas Iscariot](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_34_se/chapters/judas-iscariot)

The figure betrayed by Judas, central to the narrative of the chapter.

### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_34_se/chapters/i)

Referred to as Christ; he heeds no warnings about Judas and includes him among his chosen ones, displaying a spirit of radiant contradiction.

### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_34_se/chapters/ii)

Remains silent and walks ahead after being saved by Judas, filled with wrath.

### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_34_se/chapters/iii)

Rests from the journey, watches the disciples play, and does not praise Judas after his victory.

### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_34_se/chapters/iv)

Silently permits Judas to take money without accounting, and his words are relayed by John to the disciples.

### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_34_se/chapters/v)

The subject of betrayal; Judas describes His sermons, wonders, and influence, and Jesus is shown listening to disciples' stories and caressing a child.

### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_34_se/chapters/vi)

Enters Jerusalem to acclamations, weeps, speaks of betrayal at the Last Supper, and remains silent as Judas goes to betray Him.

### [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_34_se/chapters/vii)

Arrested and beaten by soldiers; remains silent and passive throughout the torture.

### [VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_34_se/chapters/viii)

Crucified; his death is the focal point of Judas's reflections.

### [IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_34_se/chapters/ix)

Referred to as the innocent one betrayed and crucified; Judas seeks to reunite with him.

### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_34_se/chapters/vi)

Referenced in the theological discussion about the temptation in the desert.

### [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_34_se/chapters/vii)

The narrator addresses the crucifix of Jesus, staging a dialogue about suffering and the 'horror of aimlessness.'

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_34_se/characters/jesus_of_nazareth
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_34_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_34_se/characters