The Historical Jesus (Part 1)

As the teachings of Jesus will often feature in my blog, I thought it would be a good idea to explore some of the historical evidence for his existence, death by crucifixion and resurrection.

One of the common responses I hear when talking about Jesus these days, is that he never actually existed and was just a mythical character. However, this is a relatively new claim, and as we will see, throughout the first few centuries sceptics would never doubt his existence, but would rather make such claims as ‘Jesus never rose from the dead’, or ‘his disciples stole his body from the tomb’.

There are a whole host of sources from non-Christian writers; ranging from Jewish and Roman Historians to Philosophers and Literary Writers, who refer to the historical Jesus. Below we will consider several passages and what they confirm about Jesus.

Cornelius Tacitus (55 - 120 A.D.)

Cornelius Tacitus lived during the 1st and 2nd Century and is often considered to be the greatest of the Roman Historians. This is what he had to say about Jesus, in an account about the great fire in Rome during the reign of Nero:

“Consequently, to get rid of the report, Nero fastened the guilt and inflicted the most exquisite of tortures on a class hated for their abominations, called Christians by the populace. Christus the founder of the Christian name was put to death by Pontius Pilate, procurator of Judea in the reign of Tiberius: but the pernicious superstition, repressed for a time broke out again, not only through Judea where the mischief originated, but through the city of Rome also.” (Annals XV, 44).

This passage confirms:

Jesus existed;

He was the founder of Christianity;

He was put to death by Pilate (Procurator of Judea from 26 to 36 A.D.);

Christianity originated in Judea; and

Christianity later spread to Rome

Sceptic viewpoint and counter argument:

Some sceptics say that Tacitus could have perhaps taken this from earlier Christian sources, or from his friend Pliny the Younger (Government Official). However, because of his professional position as a historian and not a commentator, it is more likely that Tacitus referred to government records rather than Christian testimony, according to Biblical Scholar, Frederick Bruce. If he referenced some of Pliny’s work, it would have been out of his character to not do some critical investigation of the facts. We have examples of this in other cases where Tacitus critically investigates Pliny’s data (Annals 55). Tacitus also adds disclaimers in his work where facts are not historically verified, but he does not in the case of Jesus.

Flavius Josephus (37 - 100 A.D.)

Josephus was a prominent Jewish historian, who lived in the 1st Century, shortly after the crucifixion of Jesus. There is some controversy surrounding one of his passages regarding Jesus, as it appears Christians may have edited it to make the passage sound more favourable towards Jesus. We will have a look at this passage now. There are two versions which both confirm the existence and death of Jesus, as well as the early movement. In the first version I have underlined the disputed sections. Here’s what Josephus said:

“Now there was about this time Jesus, a wise man, if it be lawful to call him a man; for he was a doer of wonderful works, a teacher of such men as receive the truth with pleasure. He drew over to him both many of the Jews and many of the Gentiles. He was the Christ. And when Pilate, at the suggestion of the principal men amongst us, had condemned him to the cross, those that loved him at first did not forsake him; for he appeared to them alive again the third day as the divine prophets had foretold these and ten thousand other wonderful things concerning him. And the tribe of christians so named after him still remain to this day”.

This is how the other version reads:

“At this time there was a wise man called Jesus, and his conduct was good, and he was known to be virtuous. Many people among the Jews and the other nations became his disciples. Pilate condemned him to be crucified and to die. But those who had become 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 reported wonders. And the tribe of Christians, so named after him, has not disappeared to this day”.

This passage confirms:

Jesus existed;

He was a wise man and a teacher;

He gained a following among Jews and non-Jews;

He was crucified under Pontius Pilate;

Implied evidence for the resurrection; and

The Christian movement continued after his crucifixion

Sceptic viewpoint and counter argument:

There are some obvious issues with certain parts of this text, such as a non-Christian Jewish person saying that Jesus was the Christ. However, in the original translations in Greek and Arabic, the suspicious sections contain disclaimers, such as ‘Jesus, who was believed to be the Christ’, and ‘it has been reported’. This presents the theory that Josephus was reporting the beliefs regarding Jesus and not necessarily his personal opinion, as a responsible historian should do. The later interpolations are also widely recognised by scholars to have been added by Catholic Commentators, in their attempts to make it sound more favourable towards Jesus. However, they actually undermine the authenticity of the original text by making it sound biased.

Another passage from Josephus refers to the execution of Jesus’ brother James:

“So (Ananus) assembled a council of judges, and brought before it the brother of Jesus, the so-called Christ, whose name was James, together with some others, and having accused them as lawbreakers, he delivered them over to be stoned.” Antiquities 20.9.1

This passage confirms:

Jesus existed;

Some believed Jesus to be the Christ;

James was the brother of Jesus; and

James’ martyrdom

Sceptic viewpoint and counter argument:

The only real argument against this passage is the inclusion of the phrase ‘so-called Christ’, which sceptics argue could have been an interpolation by early Christians. However, the sceptics' argument doesn’t hold up because a Christian wouldn’t add ‘so-called Christ’, they would just say ‘Christ’. Also, Josephus is not condoning that Jesus was Christ, but merely documenting this belief by early Christians. Finally, the passage’s primary focus is on the actions of Ananus, and not that of Jesus and James, making it even less likely to be a Christian interpolation.

Pliny the Younger (61 A.D. – 113 A.D.)

Pliny the Younger was a Roman Politician and Author who writes about issues he was facing with the Christian movement. Pliny admits to torturing and executing Christians who refused to deny Christ, in his letter to Emperor Trajon. Here is some of what Pliny had to say:

“I ask them directly if they were Christians, those who persisted I ordered away, those who denied they were or ever had been Christians worshipped both your image and the image of the gods and cursed Christ. They used to gather together on a stated day before the dawn and sing to Christ, as to a god, and bound themselves by a solemn oath, not to any wicked deeds, but never to commit any fraud, theft or adultery, never to falsify their work, nor deny a trust when they should be called upon to deliver it up.”

“All the more I believed it necessary to find out what was the truth from two servant maids, called deaconesses, by means of torture. Nothing more did I find than a disgusting fanatical superstition. Therefore, I stopped the examination and hastened to consult you.”

Pliny’s letter is the earliest pagan account to refer to early Christians and provides a key description of Roman administrative process and problems relating to Christian activity and is also evidence of the rapid growth of the early movement.

This passage confirms:

Jesus existed;

Christians were willing to go through torture and die for Christ;

Christians praised Christ;

Jesus’ ethical teachings were reflected in the oath taken by these Christians; and

There was a growing movement at that time

Sceptic viewpoint and counter argument:

Sceptics argue that giving their lives for a belief does not confirm the existence of Jesus, as many people die for their religious beliefs. However, common sense tells us that there would have been a lot more evidence for the existence of Christ at this time. According to early historians, Jesus’ great nephew, other relatives, as well as associates of the apostles were still alive. Such individuals could easily verify the existence of Jesus, to early Christians. Also, documents which have been lost to us were still in existence, such as Jesus’ trial records and the sentence records of his birth and were even referenced by early authors who wrote about Jesus.

Lucian of Samosata (125 A.D. – 180 A.D.)

Lucian was a 2nd century Greek satirist, who scornfully describes his views of early Christianity. Here’s what Lucian says:

“The Christians, you know, worship a man to this day - the distinguished personage who introduced their novel rites, and was crucified on that account. It was impressed on them by their original lawgiver that they are all brothers from the moment they are converted and deny the gods of Greece, and worship the crucified sage, and live after his laws” - The Death of Peregrinus 11-13”.

This passage confirms:

Jesus did exist (Implied);

He was the founder of Christianity;

He was worshiped by his followers; and

He suffered death by crucifixion.

Sceptic viewpoint and counter argument:

Sceptics might argue that the source is not reliable due to it being a literary work. However, Lucian’s work revolved around historical events. In Lucian’s work ‘The way to write history’, Lucian openly criticizes his contemporaries for distorting history, and makes it clear the importance of historical accuracy in writing.

Mara Bar-Serapion

Mara Bar-Serapion was a stoic philosopher who penned a letter to his Son (around 73 A.D., according to most scholars), in which he tries to motivate his son to emulate the wise teachers of the past. This is what he said:

“What advantage did the Athenians gain from putting Socrates to death? Famine and plague came upon them as a judgement for their crime. What advantage did the men of Samos gain from burning Pythagoras? In a moment their land was covered with sand. What advantage did the Jews gain from executing their wise King? It was just after that their kingdom was abolished. God justly avenged these three wise men: The Athenians died of hunger. The Samians were overwhelmed by the sea. The Jews, ruined and driven from their land, live in complete dispersion. But Socrates did not die for good, He lived on in the teachings of Plato. Pythagoras did not die for good. He lived on in the statue of Hera. Nor did the wise King die for good, He lived on in the teaching which He had given”.

This passage confirms:

Jesus existed (Implied);

He was executed;

He was Jewish; and

He was wise

Sceptic viewpoint and counter argument:

The sceptics question whether this is a reference to Jesus, as his name is not explicitly mentioned. However, all of the information implies that it was a reference to Jesus, as he was Jewish, he was executed, after his death the temple and Jerusalem were destroyed in 70 A.D., the Jews were dispersed after his death, he was a teacher and Jesus was mocked by the Romans as the ‘king of the Jews’, which was also written on the titulus placed over Jesus’ head on the cross.

Celsus

Celsus was a 2nd Century Roman Author and opponent of Christianity. He went to great lengths to disprove the resurrection of Christ, yet never denied his actual existence. This is what he had to say on the matter:

“Jesus, on account of his poverty, was hired out to go to Egypt. While there he acquired certain [magical] power. He returned home highly elated at possessing these powers, and on the strength of them gave himself out to be a god. It was by means of sorcery that he was able to accomplish the wonders which he performed. Let us believe that these cures, or the resurrection, or the feeding of a multitude with a few loaves… these are nothing more than the tricks of jugglers”

He says in another passage:

“Jesus accordingly exhibited after his death only the appearance of wounds received on the cross and was not in reality so wounded as he has been described to have been”

Celsus also later refers to Jesus not actually being put on the cross, but having an imposter put in his place

These passages confirm:

Jesus existed;

He spent some time in Egypt;

He had some sort of ability to perform what seemed to be miracles;

He was crucified; and

Possible evidence of the resurrection

Sceptic viewpoint and counter argument:

How do we know that Celsus is not referring to a myth? Satisfied with his presentation of evidence Celsus offers his conclusion that Jesus was ‘only a man’, not a myth or a god, which is clear that Celsus believed he existed. Celsus also went to great lengths to discredit Christianity. If there was no evidence of Jesus, then he simply could have said Jesus was a mythological character and moved on.

The Talmud (A.D. 70 – 200)

The Talmud is an ancient record of Jewish History, laws and Rabbinic Teachings.

Here’s what the passage on Jesus says:

“On the eve of the Passover Yeshu (Jesus) was hanged and a herald went forth before him forty days heralding, ‘Yeshu the Nazarene is going forth to be stoned because he practiced sorcery and instigated and seduced Israel to idolatry. Anyone who can say anything in his favour let him come forward and plead on his behalf, but since nothing was brought forth in his favour he was hanged on the eve of Passover.”

This passage confirms:

Jesus existed;

He was crucified;

He had the ability to perform some sort of miraculous signs; and

He gained a following

Sceptical viewpoint and counter argument:

The sceptics ask how we be sure that the Talmud is documenting Jesus’ existence and not only stating the rumour surrounding a myth. The Talmud mentions Jesus’ ability to perform miracles but tries to dismiss it as sorcery. If the writers were simply refuting a myth, they would most likely have dismissed it as a rumour, and not assign alternate theories to defend their position.

Conclusion

These are just some of the independent sources confirming the life and death of a man named Jesus. There are many more historical records which refer to Jesus, some of which we will look at in Part 2. Other sources include work from Aristides The Athenian, Justin Martyr, Ignatius of Antioch, Hegesippus, Clement of Rome, Gaius Suetonius Tranquillus, Thallus, Emperor Trajan, Emperor Hadrian, The Toledoth Jesu, Phlegon, Acts of Pilate and many more.

Critics also agree that the letters and books in the New Testament were penned by at least five different authors – some of which were eyewitness accounts, and others which were written by associates and contemporaries of the apostles.

I hope this article has been of use and will provide you with some inspiration for further investigation into the life of Jesus.