The Bible (lit. “The Books”) is divided into two main sections, the first of which, the Old Testament, is largely coterminous with the Hebrew Bible, with writings covering such diverse topics as law, history, poetry, and wisdom, and illustrating the traditional life into which Jesus—⁠—a 1st-century carpenter, preacher, and the messiah—⁠—was born. The books of the New Testament, which capture the story of Jesus’ life and ministry, describe a new covenant seen as fulfilling a prophesy set forth in the Old Testament.

These later texts were first written down by students of Jesus in Koine Greek, the dominant language of trade in the Mediterranean at the time, because it provided the easiest means of disseminating the teachings of Christ. His lectures and discourses were originally spoken in the Aramaic language, though Jesus also knew Hebrew and some Greek.