While the New Testament provides a detailed account of Jesus’ life, there is also significant historical evidence outside the Bible that confirms His existence and key aspects of His story. If Jesus wasn’t a historic figure, the Gospel is a work of fiction.
Thankfully, there are number of extra biblical historic accounts providing strong support for the historicity of Yeshua (Jesus) of Nazareth.
Let’s examine what ancient historians and other sources say about Jesus.
Josephus – A Jewish Historian’s Perspective
Flavius Josephus, a Jewish historian writing in the 1st century, mentions Jesus twice in his work Antiquities of the Jews. In one passage, known as the Testimonium Flavianum, Josephus refers to Jesus as a wise man, a doer of wonders, and the one called Christ. Though the passage has been debated, most scholars agree it contains authentic references to Jesus.
Tacitus – A Roman Historian’s Account
The Roman historian Tacitus, writing around 116 AD, provides a valuable non-Christian account of Jesus in his Annals. He mentions that Emperor Nero blamed Christians for the Great Fire of Rome and notes that “Christus,” the founder of the Christian movement, was executed during the reign of Tiberius by Pontius Pilate. Tacitus’s account confirms the crucifixion as a historical event.
Pliny the Younger – A Roman Governor’s Report
In 112 AD, Pliny the Younger, a Roman governor, wrote to Emperor Trajan seeking advice on how to deal with Christians. In his letter, Pliny describes Christians worshiping Christ as a god, indicating that Jesus was widely revered shortly after his death. This early reference highlights the rapid spread of Jesus’ influence.
Lucian of Samosata – A Satirical Critic’s Mention
Lucian of Samosata, a 2nd-century Greek satirist, refers to Jesus as a man who was crucified in Palestine because he introduced a new cult to the world. Though Lucian mocks Christians in his writings, his references to Jesus confirm that the figure of Christ was known and acknowledged, even by critics, as an influential leader whose teachings had significant followings.
Mara Bar-Serapion – A Stoic Philosopher’s Letter
Mara Bar-Serapion, a Stoic philosopher writing around the 1st or 2nd century, wrote a letter to his son that includes a reference to Jesus. He compares the persecution of Jesus to the execution of Socrates and Pythagoras, suggesting that Jesus was a wise and virtuous man unjustly executed by his own people. This letter serves as an independent confirmation of Jesus’ life and death.
Suetonius — Additional Roman History
Another Roman historian, Suetonius, in his Lives of the Twelve Caesars, mentions “Chrestus” and the disturbances caused by early Christians in Rome. If the name “Chrestus” is a variant of “Christus” (Christ), this passage is yet another piece of evidence of Jesus’ followers in the Roman Empire.
Thallus and Phlegon—Hellenic and Samaritan Historians
Thallus and Phlegon: Early historians Thallus and Phlegon, cited by later Christian writers, mention a strange darkness occurring during Jesus’ crucifixion. While their original works are lost, these references align with the Gospel accounts of a darkened sky, suggesting a historical event tied to Jesus’ death.
Early Christian Writings – Beyond the Canon
Beyond the New Testament, early Christian writers such as Ignatius of Antioch and Clement of Rome provide additional evidence for Jesus’ life and death. These early texts, written within a generation or two of Jesus, affirm the historical core of the Gospel accounts, reinforcing the tradition of Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection.
Conclusion – Jesus Was A Historic Figure
The historical evidence outside the Bible provides compelling support for the existence of Jesus of Nazareth. The writings of Josephus, Tacitus, Pliny the Younger, Lucian of Samosata, Mara Bar-Serapion, Thallus, Phlegon, and numerous early Christian sources consistently portray Jesus as a real person who lived, taught, and was crucified in 1st century Judea. The convergence of these independent sources with the New Testament solidly confirms the historicity of Jesus.
Who do you believe that Jesus was? He never claimed to be a mere man, but God in the flesh, the Redeemer who rose from the dead to give us the hope of a reconciliation with the Creator and a new beginning as His child born of the Spirit.
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Jeff Hagen
President & Founder
Hill Cities, Inc.
