A few days ago, I was casually browsing online discussions about history when I suddenly came across a question: “What interesting things might come up if Alexander the Great and Jesus were to have a conversation?” At first, I thought the question was a bit odd—the two men weren’t even from the same era, nor did they share similar roles. One waged war, the other preached—they seemed completely unrelated.
But the more I thought about it, the more curious I became, so I dug out a few books from home to look into it.There were books on ancient Greece, others on biblical contexts, and even an old textbook from my university days, its pages smelling faintly musty. I spent the entire afternoon tidying my desk—a mess resembling a pile of papers blown by the wind, strewn with cups, letters, and my child’s LEGO spaceship. Once everything was organized, I opened my computer, launched several web pages, and began researching one topic after another.
The research process wasn’t smooth sailing
Honestly, digging up information is no easy task. One website would state one thing, while another claimed the exact opposite. I took so many notes my hand grew sore. Sometimes I’d stumble upon a photo of ancient parchment inscribed with centuries-old text—truly awe-inspiring that such things survived.
Later, I discovered that around 300 AD, monks had indeed mentioned both Alexander and Jesus in the same breath. They didn’t conflate the two, but they did recognize both as figures who profoundly shaped the world. This finding only fueled my desire to dig deeper.
First Interesting Point: Their Cities Aligned with Missionary Routes
I found an old map marking numerous cities founded by Alexander after his conquests. Interestingly, these cities lay precisely along the major routes of later Christian expansion. In other words, many of the paths traveled by Jesus’ disciples were originally opened by Alexander’s military campaigns. Without these roads and cities, Christianity might not have spread so rapidly across the world.
Second Similarity: Both Called “Son of God”
This might sound startling, but it’s a historical fact. Alexander’s soldiers revered him so deeply that some genuinely believed he was a divine son sent by the gods. Meanwhile, in Christianity, Jesus is also called the “Son of God.” Though the meanings differ, the titles bear a striking resemblance. This shows that in that era, the title “Son of God” wasn’t unique to Jesus.
Third Discovery: Minimal Time Gap, Yet Both Had Enormous Impact
Alexander died in 323 BC, while Jesus lived around the turn of the Common Era. Only about 300 years separated them. That sounds like a long time, but in the grand scheme of history, it’s remarkably brief. Yet within this short span, one conquered vast territories through military might, while the other transformed hearts through ideas—both profoundly shaping Western civilization.
Fourth Connection: Language as the Crucial Bridge
After Alexander conquered so many lands, Greek became the common language. And the New Testament was written in Greek.Imagine if everyone spoke different languages back then—the disciples would have struggled to communicate wherever they preached. Because many people understood Greek, Christianity could spread rapidly across the lands. It could be said that Alexander inadvertently paved the linguistic path for the later spread of religion.
Fifth Coincidence: Birthdays Both on December 25th
This is the most intriguing.We celebrate Christmas on December 25th, traditionally considered Jesus’ birthday. Yet the Bible doesn’t specify an exact date. Interestingly, some ancient texts also record Alexander’s birthday as December 25th. This could be coincidence, or perhaps ancient people favored setting important figures’ birthdays around the winter solstice to symbolize the return of light. Either way, the two “birthdays” coinciding is quite surprising.
Final Thoughts
I spent three full days researching this, even forgetting to walk the dog twice. My wife finally snapped, “Stop turning the dining table into a battlefield.” Honestly, I felt a bit crazy myself. But this investigation taught me something: historical events rarely occur in isolation. People and events that seem unrelated may quietly intertwine behind the scenes.
Alexander conquered the world through force; Jesus spread his message through love. They never met, nor knew of each other, yet their legacies somehow complemented one another. Perhaps sometimes, what one person does centuries ago can help someone else they’ve never met.
Next time, I plan to discuss something lighter—like how ancient Roman sewers were built… At least it won’t make my wife think I’ve gone off the deep end again.
