The Claim:

"I am a real Christian-that is to say, a disciple of the doctrines of Jesus Christ."

The Facts:

There is absolutely zero evidence that he ever said this, despite claims circulating online for years

"Thomas Jefferson ... strongly advocated for reason and science over dogma, leaning towards Deism, a belief system that emphasizes natural laws and a Creator who set the universe in motion but does not intervene in human affairs. While he respected the moral teachings of Jesus, he rejected the notion of his divinity, miracles, and the Trinity. This led him to create his own version of the Bible, where he removed the supernatural elements, highlighting Jesus' ethical teachings. His beliefs in the separation of church and state, based on the principle of religious freedom, were also a consequence of his philosophical outlook." Google.com

In a letter to Dr. Benjamin Rush on April 21, 1803, Jefferson clearly distinguished his beliefs from traditional Christianity:

"To the corruptions of Christianity I am indeed opposed; but not to the genuine precepts of Jesus himself. I am a Christian, in the only sense in which he wished any one to be; sincerely attached to his doctrines, in preference to all others; ascribing to himself every human excellence, and believing he never claimed any other."
In other words, Jefferson was totally against the distortions that had corrupted Christianity over time. He consider himmyself a Christian only in the context of Jesus's moral teachings. He saw Jesus as the best example of human goodness but did not believe that Jesus ever claimed to be anything more than a man. 

Emphasize:Jesus never claimed to be anything more than a man.

The Proof: He wrote the "Jefferson Bible" (The Life and Morals of Jesus of Nazareth), which removed miraculous events and focused solely on Jesus' ethical teachings.

What You Will NOT Find in the Jefferson Bible

  • The Nativity & Virgin Birth - No angels, shepherds, wise men, or divine conception.
  • All Miracles - No healings, walking on water, feeding multitudes, turning water to wine, etc.
  • Resurrections (Lazarus, Jairus' daughter, etc.) - All removed.
  • Demonic Possessions & Exorcisms - No casting out of demons.
  • Transfiguration - Jesus does not appear in divine glory (Matthew 17, Mark 9, Luke 9).
  • Prophecies & Fulfillment of Scripture - Omitted Old Testament prophecies about Jesus.
  • The Last Supper as Eucharist - Kept the meal but removed "This is my body/blood"
  • Jesus' Divine Claims - No "I and the Father are one" | "Before Abraham was, I am".
  • The Resurrection & Ascension - Ends with Jesus' burial (no rising from the dead).
  • The Trinity & Holy Spirit - No references to God as triune or the Spirit's role.
  • End Times Prophecy (Apocalyptic passages) - No Olivet Discourse | Book of Revelation.
  • Most of John's Gospel - Only kept some ethical teachings; cut all theological passages.

What You WILL Find in the Jefferson Bible

  • Jesus' moral teachings (Sermon on the Mount, parables like the Good Samaritan).Critiques of hypocrisy (Pharisees, religious corruption).
  • Ethical commandments (Love thy neighbor, forgiveness, humility).

Jefferson's Bible ends with Jesus' body being placed in the tomb (Matthew 27:60).

There was NO resurrection. His goal was a strictly philosophical Jesus, stripped of divinity.

In conclusion, if misinformation were an art form, this Jefferson meme would be MAGA's Mona Lisa.

Sources:

  • The Papers of Thomas Jefferson, Princeton University Press (Letter to Benjamin Rush, April 21, 1803).
  • The Jefferson Bible: The Life and Morals of Jesus of Nazareth (Smithsonian Edition)