# Jesus Christ — The Divine Comedy character guide

> Jesus Christ in The Divine Comedy by Dante Alighieri.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Christ, the Lord Jesus Christ, Faith In Christ

**First appearance:** 0003-canto-i

## Snapshot

The incarnate Word whose descent and mercy underwrite every ascent in the poem, invoked by Virgil and Beatrice as the ground of Dante's journey.

## Who they are

Christ never appears as a speaking character, yet he is the axis on which the whole Comedy turns: the reason Beatrice can descend, the reason a sinner can climb, the name on which every oath and every hope rests. Virgil cites him when he explains why Aeneas and Paul were permitted their journeys, and Beatrice's whole authority derives from his love. For Dante the pilgrim, Christ is less a figure to meet than the light by which every other figure is finally seen.

## Relationships

### [Godfrey of Bouillon](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_divine_comedy_se/characters/godfrey_of_bouillon)

_professional_

Godfrey of Bouillon is a warrior for Christ, with Jesus representing his divine commander.

### [Dante Alighieri](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_divine_comedy_se/characters/dante_alighieri)

_psychological_

Dante views Jesus Christ as the central figure of salvation, inspiring awe and devotion.

### [Dante Alighieri](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_divine_comedy_se/characters/dante_alighieri)

_psychological_

Dante views Jesus Christ as the central figure of salvation, inspiring awe and devotion.

### [Godfrey of Bouillon](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_divine_comedy_se/characters/godfrey_of_bouillon)

_professional_

Godfrey of Bouillon is a warrior for Christ, with Jesus representing his divine commander.

### [Dante Alighieri](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_divine_comedy_se/characters/dante_alighieri)

_psychological_

Dante views Jesus Christ as the central figure of salvation, inspiring awe and devotion.

### [Godfrey of Bouillon](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_divine_comedy_se/characters/godfrey_of_bouillon)

_professional_

Godfrey of Bouillon is a warrior for Christ, with Jesus representing his divine commander.

## In the story

### [Inferno](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_divine_comedy_se/chapters/inferno)

Depicted as the dead Christ between the living thieves in the cathedral sculptures.

### [Canto XXXIV: The Emperor of the Kingdom of Dolorous](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_divine_comedy_se/chapters/canto-xxxiv)

Referenced as 'the Man who without sin was born and lived,' whose death occurred under the hemisphere opposite to where Dante now stands.

### [Paradiso I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_divine_comedy_se/chapters/paradiso)

His triumph is displayed in the great Rose of Paradise.

### [Canto XI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_divine_comedy_se/chapters/canto-xi)

Referenced as the bridegroom of the Church and as the one who gave Francis the final seal (stigmata).

### [Canto XIII: The Wisdom of Solomon and the Nature of Creation](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_divine_comedy_se/chapters/canto-xiii)

Referenced as the second person in whom divine and human nature are united, and as the one who made satisfaction for sin.

### [Canto XXIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_divine_comedy_se/chapters/canto-xxiii)

The Son of God, whose triumphal march is witnessed, and who is the source of the light that enkindles all.

### [Canto XXIV: St. Peter Examines Dante on Faith](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_divine_comedy_se/chapters/canto-xxiv)

Referenced as the Lamb whose supper the blessed attend, and as the one who gave Peter the keys.

### [Canto XXIX: Beatrice's Discourse on Creation and the Fall of Lucifer](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_divine_comedy_se/chapters/canto-xxix)

Christ is referenced in the context of the Passion and the true foundation of the Gospel that preachers should uphold.

### [Canto XXXI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_divine_comedy_se/chapters/canto-xxxi)

Mentioned as the one who made the saints His bride through His blood.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_divine_comedy_se/characters/jesus_christ
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_divine_comedy_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_divine_comedy_se/characters