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In discussing the historical existence of Jesus, it’s essential to approach the topic objectively, assessing the evidence from a range of sources. Even though some skeptics question whether Jesus of Nazareth was a real historical figure, the consensus among historians is that Jesus did exist. This conclusion is derived from several types of evidence, including non-Christian historical accounts, early Christian documents, and the contextual plausibility of Jesus’s life.

Non-Christian Historical Accounts

One of the most crucial non-Christian sources that attest to Jesus’s existence is the Roman historian Tacitus. In his “Annals,” written around 116 CE, Tacitus referred to Jesus’s crucifixion under Pontius Pilate, implicitly acknowledging Jesus’s existence.

Josephus, a Jewish historian who lived from 37 CE to around 100 CE, also wrote about Jesus. In his “Antiquities of the Jews,” he mentioned Jesus in two passages, one of which is often called the “Testimonium Flavianum.” Although the authenticity of this passage is contested due to potential Christian interpolation, most scholars agree that the core content — a reference to Jesus as a teacher, miracle-worker, and a man who was crucified under Pontius Pilate — is likely authentic.

Early Christian Documents

The New Testament provides the most extensive early Christian accounts of Jesus. Although they were written by believers and thus might be seen as biased, they still offer a valuable historical resource, particularly when corroborated by other evidence.

The earliest New Testament writings are the Pauline epistles, written between 50-60 CE, within a few decades of Jesus’s life. Paul explicitly referred to Jesus as a real person, mentioning his crucifixion and interactions with others, including James, who Paul identifies as Jesus’s brother (Galatians 1:19).

The Gospels — Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John — although written later, provide detailed accounts of Jesus’s life. While their theological orientation and occasional contradictions mean they should be approached critically, they remain vital sources for historians.

Contextual Plausibility

The existence of Jesus aligns with the historical context of 1st-century Palestine. The area was rife with apocalyptic preachers and prophets, making Jesus’s role as a religious leader plausible. The crucifixion of Jesus also fits the Roman response to perceived threats against state stability.

Furthermore, the rise of Christianity — a religion centered on Jesus — shortly after the time Jesus is said to have lived supports his historical existence. The rapid spread of Christianity across the Roman Empire would be surprising if its central figure were fictional.

Criticism and Counterarguments

Critics who doubt Jesus’s existence, often termed mythicists, suggest that Jesus might be a mythologized figure or a composite of multiple individuals. They argue that the lack of contemporary Roman records about Jesus and inconsistencies in the New Testament are indicative of a non-historical Jesus.

However, the absence of Roman records is not surprising given that Rome had little reason to record the life of an obscure preacher in a remote province. As for the inconsistencies in the New Testament, they are expected in any collection of documents written by different authors, at different times, and for different audiences.

Who Were Christianity’s First to Third Centuries Non-Christian Witnesses for the Historicity of Jesus Christ?

While absolute certainty is unattainable in ancient history, the preponderance of evidence supports the historical existence of Jesus. This conclusion is not based on religious belief or Christian apologetics but on a careful, critical examination of the historical record.

Dr. Gary Habermas, a prominent scholar and apologist, has extensively argued for the historical existence of Jesus Christ. He employs a method known as the “minimal facts approach” to defend not only the existence of Jesus but also His resurrection. This method focuses on facts that are so strongly evidenced that they are accepted by nearly all scholars who study the subject, including skeptics.

Here are the key points of Habermas’s arguments:

Existence of Jesus: Habermas points out that virtually all historians, regardless of their religious affiliation or lack thereof, agree that Jesus of Nazareth was a historical figure who lived in the first century CE. This consensus is based on a substantial body of evidence, including Christian, Jewish, and Roman sources.
Death by Crucifixion: Habermas argues that there is an almost universal consensus among historians that Jesus died by crucifixion. He cites multiple sources that confirm this fact, including the Gospel accounts, non-Christian sources like Tacitus and Josephus, and the consistent early Christian tradition.
Belief in the Resurrection: Habermas emphasizes that shortly after Jesus’s death, a large number of people became convinced that they had seen Him alive, leading to the rapid growth of the Christian movement. Even skeptical scholars agree that the disciples at least believed that they had seen the risen Jesus.
Conversion of Skeptics: Habermas also points to the conversion of skeptics as evidence for the resurrection. He often cites the Apostle Paul, a former persecutor of Christians, and James, Jesus’s brother, who were both skeptics before becoming followers of Jesus after they believed they had seen Him resurrected.
Empty Tomb: While not as universally accepted as the other facts, Habermas argues that the empty tomb is a historical fact. He points to the Gospel accounts and the fact that the early Jewish response to the resurrection claim was to argue that the disciples stole the body (implicitly admitting the tomb was empty), not to produce a body.

Habermas’s arguments are based on a scholarly consensus and historical sources, and he often engages with skeptical perspectives in his work. His approach is characterized by a focus on minimal facts, an avoidance of overstatement, and a willingness to engage with critics.

Archaeological Evidence for the Historicity of Jesus Christ

While there’s no direct archaeological evidence, such as physical artifacts or inscriptions made during his lifetime that specifically mention Jesus, the archaeological record does provide indirect support by confirming the historical and cultural context in which Jesus and the New Testament writers lived. Here are a few examples:

The Pilate Stone: In 1961, archaeologists discovered a limestone block known as the Pilate Stone in Caesarea Maritima. The inscription on the stone includes the name “Pontius Pilate,” the Roman prefect who presided over Jesus’s trial according to the New Testament. This provides evidence for the existence of one of the key figures in the accounts of Jesus’ life.
Caiaphas Ossuary: In 1990, an ornate ossuary (a box for storing bones) was discovered, which many scholars believe belonged to the family of the high priest Caiaphas. According to the New Testament, Caiaphas played a crucial role in Jesus’s trial.
Crucifixion artifacts: Archaeological finds have confirmed the Roman practice of crucifixion. For example, the heel bone of a crucified man named Yehohanan was found in an ossuary in Jerusalem, with a nail still embedded. This provides evidence for the type of death that Jesus is said to have suffered.
Inscriptions and papyri: Numerous inscriptions and papyri confirm the names, places, and customs mentioned in the New Testament, enhancing its overall credibility as a historical document.
Synagogues and Jerusalem: Archaeological excavations have discovered numerous first-century synagogues, including in Capernaum, where Jesus is said to have taught. The excavations in Jerusalem also align with the descriptions in the Gospels.

While archaeology can’t directly confirm the existence of Jesus, it offers valuable corroborative evidence that the events, places, and people described in the New Testament are grounded in historical reality. This supports the credibility of these documents as sources of information about Jesus’s life and times.

THE HISTORICAL JESUS: Did Jesus Really Exist?

About the Author

EDWARD D. ANDREWS (AS in Criminal Justice, BS in Religion, MA in Biblical Studies, and MDiv in Theology) is CEO and President of Christian Publishing House. He has authored over 220+ books. In addition, Andrews is the Chief Translator of the Updated American Standard Version (UASV).