If Jesus didn't start his ministry until he 30, what did he do until then?

Question

Given that in the Gospel of John, Jesus decides he is the son of God, he doesn't know, then could it be that a carpenter from Nazareth pulled of the biggest con in history?

Answer 1

He partied in what later became Constantinople (Istanbul today) . The water to wine trick made him a huge hit with the youth there and several of his many children had descendants who survived there until the plague of 1192. At twenty nine, he was expelled from the Best Eastern Chariotel there, for trashing the place in a 3 month drunken stupor that caused him permanent brain damage until he showed up near Jerusalem nearly a year later where he started babbling to anyone who would listen to his delusional rantings.

Answer 2

The forces of evil were trying to find and kill Jesus since his birth.

But in order for God's plan to be revealed, and to be thoroughly and successfully completed, everything had to proceed according to his own unique schedule.

Jesus always knew exactly who he was, why he became a man, and what he was sent to do. On this, scripture is absolutely clear..

The reason he stayed in Nazareth until his time had come is because Nazareth was the one place in Israel where no one would think to look for the future Messiah, as no scriptural prophecies ever pointed to Nazareth.

No con man could accomplish all that Jesus did, perform all the miracles he performed, raise himself up again from the dead, or affect the world in all the ways he did.

Not even Satan, himself.

Answer 3

Jesus went back to his family and grew up as an obidient son. He learned how to be a carpenter and, at the age of 30, felt the call to start his ministry. He had to wait until his cousin started baptizing people.

Answer 4

Jesus was a carpenter prior to beginning his ministry - He knew he was the God the whole time, don't be malicious with your lies or it may simply be that you interpret the Gospel of John incorrectly, as it doesn't say that Jesus didn't know, it says that John did not know. Jesus was, simply put, waiting for the right time. Even when he turned water into wine (1st public miracle performed) at the wedding of his mothers relative (might have been a friend), he said to his mother that it was not yet time.

John 1:
29The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, "Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! 30This is the one I meant when I said, 'A man who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me.' 31I myself did not know him, but the reason I came baptizing with water was that he might be revealed to Israel."
32Then John gave this testimony: "I saw the Spirit come down from heaven as a dove and remain on him. 33I would not have known him, except that the one who sent me to baptize with water told me, 'The man on whom you see the Spirit come down and remain is he who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.' 34I have seen and I testify that this is the Son of God."

Answer 5

If Jesus was physically alive today, he would probably face a similar fate. That's because the nature of men hasn't changed. See the number of people in the web who will discourage the spread of good. People have always liked showmanship and propaganga more than real practice.
So I guess, Jesus was figuring a proper approach to educate the people before he started out his mission.
But was he successful ? Of course. See the number of Christians in the world.

Answer 6

As you say, we know next to nothing about this character until he declared himself to be the Son of God when he was about 30.The Israelis that I met a few years ago told me that if anyone was to shoot his mouth off that way nowadays they would still crucify him.
Maybe it is all one big con, but the business community count on his so-called birthday every year to boost their profits and perpetuate the con "ad infinitum."
And anyone who dares oppose Christmas is in danger of crucifixion too, or at the very least being called a Bah, Humbug, Scrooge-like character.

PS....I can turn wine into water very easily but how do you do it the other way?

Answer 7

He went to Kashmir and Tibet until he was 30.

Answer 8

You'll know soon enough when He comes to judge you and remind you that you called the Almighty God a con.

Answer 9

I know loads of guys who live with their parents far too long, hanging out with their mates, refusing to get a proper job, and getting on everyone's nerves.

I reckon when he got to 30 his mum had had enough and told him to sling his hook.

Answer 10

He was familiarising himself with learning how to do magic. He could do a mean trick with a 2 of spades and a banana, but it turned out his audience only wanted the water into wine trick. (I can do that one myself).