Did Jesus Exist?

Our secular-driven world commonly tells us, there is no historical evidence of Jesus Christ. They chalk Him up to a mythical figure along with our entire faith. All despite our extremely ancient and numerous Biblical texts. It’s quite astounding actually.

However, outside of our Biblical text, is there historical proof of Jesus Christ?

The answer is a resounding, yes!

There is a tremendous amount of evidence that Jesus Christ existed from non-Christian literary sources. We are going to cite those sources, and also quote two different religions that also discuss our Lord and Savior.

Let’s get started.

Tacitus On Jesus

Publius Cornelius Tacitus (56 AD – 117 AD) was a Roman senator and historian. Tacitus writes, Nero blamed the fire of Rome in 64 AD on Christians.

“Consequently, to get rid of the report, Nero fastened the guilt and inflicted the most exquisite tortures on a class hated for their abominations, called Christians by the populace. Christus, from whom the name had its origin, suffered the extreme penalty during the reign of Tiberius at the hands of one of our procurators, Pontius Pilatus”.

The Annals 15.44

Tacitus clearly points to the origin of our faith, Jesus Christ. The scholarly consensus is the writings of Tacitus are genuine, authentic, and reference the execution of Jesus Christ by Pontius Pilate.

The Annales by Cornelius Tacitus
Codex Mediceus 68 II fol. 38 r: en:Cornelius Tacitus Annales 15:44 – 11th century

Josephus On Jesus

Flavius Josephus (37 AD – 100 AD) was a Jewish priest, scholar, and historian who states.

“The brother of Jesus, who was called Christ, whose name was James”.

Antiquities of the Jews, Book 20 Chapter 9

Josephus not only speaks of Jesus, but describes clear details of Him and His family in this excerpt. This writing of Josephus is very well accepted among scholars.

Josephus provides us with another quote,

“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,[9] those that loved him at the first did not forsake him; for he appeared to them alive again the third day;[10] as the divine prophets had foretold these and ten thousand other wonderful things concerning him. And the tribe of Christians, so named from him, are not extinct at this day.”

Antiquities of the Jews, Book 18 Chapter 3

This writing from Josephus is heavily debated among scholars. Many believe that edits were made to his original work. Some of the phrases such as, “if, it be lawful to call him a man,” “He was the Christ,” are thought to be added to the text. Though there is no proof of that.

For completeness, in the 1970s, a Jewish scholar found an Arabic copy of Josephus’s work from the 10th century.

In that manuscript, the same passage reads.

“At this time there was a wise man who was called Jesus, and 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. And those who had become his disciples did not abandon their loyalty to him. They reported that he had appeared to them three days after his crucifixion, and that he was alive. Accordingly they believed that he was the Messiah, concerning whom the Prophets have recounted wonders.”

Even if this is the true excerpt of this historical account. We clearly see Jesus described, right down to His crucifixion by Pilate, even documenting His Resurrection as told by the Disciples. Moreover, this general citation is found in every single manuscript of The Antiquities by Josephus.

Since Josephus was of the Jewish faith, and born within a few years of Christ’s passing, this is a tremendously powerful and reliable account.

Additionally, John the Baptist is also mentioned in the works of Josephus.

The Antiquities by Flavius Josephus
Flavius Josephus, The Antiquities, circa 1200

Pliny On Jesus

Pliny the Younger (61 AD – 113 AD) was a lawyer, author, and magistrate of Ancient Rome. He tells us,

“They asserted, however, that the sum and substance of their fault or error had been that they were accustomed to meet on a fixed day before dawn and sing responsively a hymn to Christ as to a god.”

Pliny, Letters 10.96-97

Pliny the Younger penned this letter to Emperor Trajan seeking counsel on how to deal with Christians. This letter not only proves that Jesus was a historical figure, but proves early Christians were very active during the 1st century, just as the Bible explains. This is a highly authoritative account.

Lucian On Jesus

Lucian of Samosata (125AD – ~180AD) was a satirist, rhetorician and pamphleteer who tells us.

“The Christians, you know, worship a man to this day—the distinguished personage who introduced their novel rites, and was crucified on that account. … You see, these misguided creatures start with the general conviction that they are immortal for all time, which explains their contempt of death and voluntary self-devotion which are so common among them; and then it was impressed on them by their original lawgiver that they are all brothers, from the moment that they are converted, and deny the gods of Greece, and worship the crucified sage, and live after his laws. All this they take quite on faith, with the result that they despise all worldly goods alike, regarding them merely as common property.”

The Passing of Peregrinus
Quote via: The Historical Jesus: Ancient Evidence for the Life of Christ p. 206
Also: Loeb Classical Library, volume 302, volume 5 of the works of Lucian p. 13

This is yet another highly authoritative historical record. Lucian clearly identifies the crucifixion of Jesus Christ who Christians are named after.

This not only proves the existence of Jesus, but proves early Christians adhered to the New Testament which fulfilled the old, (Matthew 5:17).

In fact, Christian beliefs were so well-known and established in the 1st-2nd century, even a Gentile like Lucian knew Christians believed in their own resurrection, just as Christ was, (Ecclesiastes 12:6, 2 Corinthians 5:8).

Suetonius On Jesus

Suetonius was a Roman historian (69 AD – 122 AD) who states,

“Since the Jews were constantly causing disturbances at the instigation of Chrestus, he expelled them from the city”.

Life of the Emperor Claudius, chapter 25

This writing is overwhelmingly considered genuine. However, there are varying degrees of belief among scholars as to who the writing references. Some believe it references Christ, while others do not.

The writing of Suetonius is thought to record an era between 41 – 54 AD. Therefore, if true, it is believed by some that “Chrestus” references the followers of Christ, rather than Jesus Himself, as Christ was crucified between 28 – 33 AD.

Lives of the Twelve Caesars by Suetonius
1540 A. D., France. Suetonius’ Lives of the Twelve Caesars. Printed by Robert Estienne.

Mara bar Serapion On Jesus

Mara bar Serapion was a Syriac Stoic philosopher who penned a letter to his son in 72 AD.

“For what benefit did the Athenians obtain by putting Socrates to death, seeing that they received as retribution for it famine and pestilence? Or the people of Samos by the burning of Pythagoras, seeing that in one hour the whole[19] of their country was covered with sand? Or the Jews by the murder of their Wise King, seeing that from that very time their kingdom was driven away from them? For with justice did God grant a recompense to the wisdom of all three of them… The Jews, brought to desolation and expelled from their kingdom, are driven away into every land. Nay, Socrates did “not” die, because of Plato; nor yet Pythagoras, because of the statue of Hera; nor yet the Wise King, because of the new laws which he enacted.”

The Letter of Mara bar Sarapion
Also: British Library

Mara bar Serapion was another non-Christian to give an account of Jesus Christ. Yet, some skeptics have argued Serapion was speaking of another “Wise King”.

Could that be though?

Not likely.

Serapion clearly states that our “Wise King”

  • Possessed wisdom.
  • He is called a “king”.
  • He was murdered.
  • He was murdered by the Jews.
  • He was murdered before the Jews were dispersed.
  • Lived on through His teachings.

Are there any other such fitting characters in history?

Not a chance.

Moreover, simply referring to Jesus as “Wise King” clearly shows Jesus was a very well-known figure. The son of Mara bar Serapion would have easily understood who his father was speaking of, none other than, Jesus Christ.

Other Historians On Jesus

The writings we have covered are well-known references to Jesus Christ. However, there are other historians as well, some little known.

Al-Masudi reported the death of Jesus took place under Tiberius Caesar. Celsus (175 AD) shamefully discussed Jesus (Origen Contra Celsum Chap. XLIX p. 45), then we have Phlegon, (2nd century, Origen Contra Celsum Chap. XIV p. 35).

Also, we have Thallus, whose account lives on through the work of 3rd century Sextus Julius Africanus who states at the crucifixion of Jesus,

“On the whole world there pressed a most fearful darkness; and the rocks were rent by an earthquake, and many places in Judea and other districts were thrown down. This darkness Thallus, in the third book of his History, calls, as appears to me without reason, an eclipse of the sun.”

Chronographiai p.239

Just as the Bible explains, (Matthew 27:45-54).

What is so impressive about the witness of these historians is they are non-Christian and most are dated within 100 years of Christ’s presence on earth. In fact, there are estimated to be 42 sources that mention Jesus within 150 years of His time on earth.

Having covered some very prominent historians, we are now going to discuss what some non-Christian religious texts have to say.

Talmud On Jesus

The Babylonian Talmud is the religious book of Judaism which is composed of two books. The first is the Mishnah (200 AD), which is a rabbinical commentary about the Torah. The second is the Gemara (500 AD), which is a rabbinical commentary on the Mishnah.

The Talmud is about the tradition of the elders, (Matthew 15:2-3). After reading the following passages (and others) from the Talmud, it’s easy to understand how the Pharisees of the Bible were early adherents of such tradition, that much later became known as, Judaism.

While Talmudic Jews deny that Jesus is the Messiah, even they do not deny His existence. Be warned, the following passages are very blasphemous.

Sanhedrin 43a.20

But isn’t it taught in a baraita: On Passover Eve they hung the corpse of Jesus the Nazarene after they killed him by way of stoning. And a crier went out before him for forty days, publicly proclaiming: Jesus the Nazarene is going out to be stoned because he practiced sorcery, incited people to idol worship, and led the Jewish people astray. Anyone who knows of a reason to acquit him should come forward and teach it on his behalf. And the court did not find a reason to acquit him, and so they stoned him and hung his corpse on Passover eve.

Sanhedrin 43a.20

Sanhedrin 43a.21

Was Jesus the Nazarene worthy of conducting a search for a reason to acquit him? He was an inciter to idol worship, and the Merciful One states with regard to an inciter to idol worship: “Neither shall you spare, neither shall you conceal him”. Rather, Jesus was different, as he had close ties with the government, and the gentile authorities were interested in his acquittal. Consequently, the court gave him every opportunity to clear himself, so that it could not be claimed that he was falsely convicted.

Sanhedrin 43a.21

Sanhedrin 107b.14

Jesus did not understand the signal and thought: He is driving me away. He went and stood a brick upright to serve as an idol and he bowed to it. Yehoshua ben Peraḥya then said to Jesus: Repent. Jesus said to him: This is the tradition that I received from you: Whoever sins and causes the masses to sin is not given the opportunity to repent. And the Master says: Jesus performed sorcery, incited Jews to engage in idolatry, and led Israel astray. Had Yehoshua ben Peraḥya not caused him to despair of atonement, he would not have taken the path of evil.

Sanhedrin 107b.14

Gittin 57a.3

Onkelos then went and raised Jesus the Nazarene from the grave through necromancy. Onkelos said to him: Who is most important in that world where you are now? Jesus said to him: The Jewish people. Onkelos asked him: Should I then attach myself to them in this world? Jesus said to him: Their welfare you shall seek, their misfortune you shall not seek, for anyone who touches them is regarded as if he were touching the apple of his eye.

Gittin 57a.3

Gittin 57a.4

Onkelos said to him: What is the punishment of that man, a euphemism for Jesus himself, in the next world? Jesus said to him: He is punished with boiling excrement. As the Master said: Anyone who mocks the words of the Sages will be sentenced to boiling excrement. And this was his sin, as he mocked the words of the Sages. The Gemara comments: Come and see the difference between the sinners of Israel and the prophets of the nations of the world. As Balaam, who was a prophet, wished Israel harm, whereas Jesus the Nazarene, who was a Jewish sinner, sought their well-being.

Gittin 57a.4

As you can see, the Talmud’s accusations closely match those of the Pharisees in Scripture.

In the Talmud, they accuse Jesus of using magic. In Scripture, they accused Him of casting out devils by Beelzebub, (Matthew 12:22-28). In the Talmud, they state “the court gave him every opportunity to clear himself”. In Scripture, we know Christ stayed silent, (Matthew 27:11-14).

Nevertheless, scholars overwhelmingly confirm, the Talmud is speaking of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ of Nazareth. Even Christ’s most obvious enemy of the day, proved His existence.

Additionally, Jesus is spoken of in Sanhedrin 43a.22, 67a.15, 103a, 107b.8, 107b.12, 107b.13, Shabbath 104b, Sotah 47a, Berakoth 17b, and possibly a few more places.

Bomberg Talmud 1523
Bomberg Talmud 1523, displayed in the Jewish Museum of Switzerland

Quran On Jesus

The Quran is the religious book of Islam that was written around 600 – 700 AD. Muhammad claimed to have a vision from the Angel Gabriel, and the vision was penned by his aid as Muhammad could not read or write.

Let’s see what the Quran has to say about Jesus Christ.

Quran 19:34

That is Jesus, son of Mary. ˹And this is˺ a word of truth, about which they dispute.

Quran 19:34

Quran 3:45

˹Remember˺ when the angels proclaimed, “O Mary! Allah gives you good news of a Word1 from Him, his name will be the Messiah,2 Jesus, son of Mary; honoured in this world and the Hereafter, and he will be one of those nearest ˹to Allah˺.

Quran 3:45-53

Quran 3:49

45 Jesus, son of Mary

49 and ˹make him˺ a messenger to the Children of Israel ˹to proclaim,˺ ‘I have come to you with a sign from your Lord: I will make for you a bird from clay, breathe into it, and it will become a ˹real˺ bird—by Allah’s Will. I will heal the blind and the leper and raise the dead to life—by Allah’s Will. And I will prophesize what you eat and store in your houses. Surely in this is a sign for you if you ˹truly˺ believe.

Quran 3:45, 49

Quran 61:6

And ˹remember˺ when Jesus, son of Mary, said, “O children of Israel! I am truly Allah’s messenger to you, confirming the Torah which came before me, and giving good news of a messenger after me whose name will be Aḥmad.”1 Yet when the Prophet came to them with clear proofs, they said, “This is pure magic.”

Quran 61:6

Quran 4:157

157 and for boasting, “We killed the Messiah, Jesus, son of Mary, the messenger of Allah.” But they neither killed nor crucified him—it was only made to appear so.1 Even those who argue for this ˹crucifixion˺ are in doubt. They have no knowledge whatsoever—only making assumptions. They certainly did not kill him.

158 Rather, Allah raised him up to Himself. And Allah is Almighty, All-Wise.

Quran 4:157-158

You will find no argument from Muslims or scholars, these verses reference Jesus Christ. In all, the Quran discusses Jesus either directly or indirectly 187 times making Him one of the most prominent people in the book.

Unlike the Talmud, the Quran not only documents the existence of Christ, but echos many Biblical accounts.

  • Jesus was born of Mary who was a virgin, (Luke 1:31, 34, Quran 19:20).
  • Jesus is the Messiah, (John 4:25-26, Quran 4:157).
  • Jesus came to Israel who rejected Him, (John 1:11, Quran 5:77-79).
  • Jesus performed miracles, (John 6:1-14, Quran 3:49).
  • Jesus was raised up to God, (Acts 2:32, Quran 4:157).
12th Century Quran
12th Century Quran in Reza Abbasi Museum

Historical Records: Jesus vs. Tiberius

No one doubts that Tiberius Caesar was a real man who ruled Rome. Yet, the world denies that Jesus Christ existed. I find this interesting since the literary history of Tiberius Caesar comes from just a handful of sources.

In fact, the number of literary sources that discuss Jesus and Tiberius are thought to be fairly similar.

This is astounding to say the least. After all, while Jesus is the Son of God, on earth He was a carpenter’s son of low social stature. Jesus did not command an army, He had no government authority, nor position of power.

The fact there are any records of His existence from non-Christian sources is a miracle in and of itself. On the other hand, Tiberius led the Roman Empire and his mention is similar to that of Christ. Yet, no one doubts the existence of Tiberius, but they certainly doubt the existence of Jesus.

Conclusion

Let this work be a testament to you, from non-Christian historians to the religious books of other faiths. Jesus Christ existed. The number of non-Christian historical records that have survived history to prove this is astounding.

Christians should also remember, the New Testament dates back to the 1st century. There are 5,800 Greek manuscripts (letter) that validate Christ’s existence. In all, there are tens of thousands of Old and New Testament manuscripts that are older than most other ancient writings.

To put that into perspective, there are more Biblical manuscripts in existence than all other writings of antiquity combined. More than Plato, Aristotle, Homer, and any other ancient author you can think of, combined.

Yet, no one doubts that the writings of Plato, Aristotle, and Homer are true.

The fact of the matter is, the Bible is the most abundant and vetted document in the history of the world. This is also a testament, that God’s Word lives forever, just as He promised, (Isaiah 40:8).

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