Did Jesus really exist?

Answer

Typically, when this question is asked, the individual inquiring often specifies the request for evidence “outside of the Bible.” We reject the notion that the Bible cannot serve as a valid source of evidence regarding the existence of Jesus. The New Testament contains numerous references to Jesus Christ. While some suggest that the Gospels were written in the second century A.D., over 100 years after Jesus’ death, we strongly disagree with this claim. Even if this were true (which we dispute), ancient writings within 200 years of the events are generally deemed highly reliable evidence. Additionally, the majority of scholars, both Christian and non-Christian, acknowledge that at least some of Paul’s Epistles were authored by Paul himself in the mid-first century A.D., less than 40 years after Jesus’ death. This constitutes compelling evidence of the existence of a man named Jesus in Israel during the early first century A.D.

It is crucial to note that in A.D. 70, Jerusalem and much of Israel were invaded and destroyed by the Romans, resulting in the massacre of its inhabitants. Entire cities were razed to the ground. Therefore, it is plausible that a significant amount of evidence regarding Jesus’ existence was eradicated. Many eyewitnesses of Jesus likely perished during this period, potentially limiting the surviving firsthand accounts of Jesus.

Given that Jesus’ ministry primarily occurred in a relatively insignificant region within a small corner of the Roman Empire, it is remarkable how much information about Jesus can be gleaned from secular historical sources. Some of the key historical pieces of evidence concerning Jesus include the following:

The first-century Roman Tacitus, considered one of the most accurate historians of the ancient world, mentioned superstitious “Christians” (from Christus, Latin for Christ), who suffered under Pontius Pilate during the reign of Tiberius. Suetonius, chief secretary to Emperor Hadrian, wrote about a man named Chrestus (or Christ) who lived during the first century (Annals 15:44).

Flavius Josephus is the most renowned Jewish historian. In his Antiquities, he refers to James as “the brother of Jesus, who was called Christ.” There is a controversial verse 18:3 that says, “Now there was about this time Jesus, a wise man, if it be lawful to call him a man. For he was one who wrought surprising feats….He was [the] Christ…he appeared to them alive again the third day, as the divine prophets had foretold these and ten thousand other wonderful things concerning him.” Another version reads, “At this time there was a wise man named Jesus. His conduct was good and [he] was known to be virtuous. And many people from among the Jews and the other nations became his disciples. Pilate condemned him to be crucified and to die. But those who became his disciples did not abandon his discipleship. They reported that he had appeared to them three days after his crucifixion, and that he was alive; accordingly he was perhaps the Messiah, concerning whom the prophets have recounted wonders.”

Julius Africanus quotes the historian Thallus in a discussion of the darkness that followed the crucifixion of Christ (Extant Writings, 18).

Pliny the Younger, in Letters 10:96, documented early Christian worship practices, noting that Christians worshiped Jesus as God and were highly ethical. He also mentioned the love feast and the Lord’s Supper.

The Babylonian Talmud (Sanhedrin 43a) confirms Jesus’ crucifixion on the eve of Passover and the accusations against Christ of practicing sorcery and encouraging Jewish apostasy.

Lucian of Samosata, a second-century Greek writer, was an admirer.

It is believed that Jesus was worshipped by Christians, introduced new teachings, and was crucified for them. It is said that Jesus’ teachings included the brotherhood of believers, the importance of conversion, and the significance of denying other gods. Christians adhered to Jesus’ laws, considered themselves immortal, and were known for their contempt for death and renunciation of material possessions.

Mara Bar-Serapion affirms that Jesus was regarded as a wise and virtuous man, was seen as the king of Israel by many, was executed by the Jews, and His teachings continued through His followers.

Furthermore, there are various Gnostic writings (such as The Gospel of Truth, The Apocryphon of John, The Gospel of Thomas, The Treatise on Resurrection, etc.) that all make reference to Jesus.

Indeed, it is almost possible to reconstruct the gospel solely from early non-Christian sources: Jesus was known as the Christ (Josephus), performed “magic,” introduced new teachings to Israel, and was executed on Passover by hanging (Babylonian Talmud) in Judea (Tacitus). He claimed to be God and prophesied His return (Eliezar), a belief held by His followers who worshipped Him as God (Pliny the Younger).

There is substantial evidence supporting the existence of Jesus Christ, both in secular and biblical history. One of the strongest pieces of evidence for the existence of Jesus is the fact that numerous Christians in the first century AD, including the twelve apostles, were willing to die as martyrs for Jesus Christ. People may die for what they believe to be true, but they will not die for what they know to be false.