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The Jesus of History

All historians agree that Jesus of Nazareth is a real historical figure. The most important data source concerning the teachings and life of Jesus is the New Testament. However, information about Jesus can also be found from a number of sources outside of the bible.

The Jewish historian Josephus

In the year 93 A.D., a Jew named Josephus wrote, in his book about Jewish history, about a man named Jacob, "who was a brother of Jesus, also called the Christ." (Jewish history 20.9.1). Historian researchers do not doubt the authenticity of this work.

In contrast, the authenticity of the following passage is debated amongst researchers:

"At the same time lived Jesus, a wise man - if he can even be called a man. That is to say, he performed totally unbelievable acts, and taught everyone who received the truth with gladness. He drew to himself not only many Jews but also many pagans. He was the Christ. Although Pilate, based on the accusations of our leaders, sentenced him to be crucified, his former followers did not give up on him, and he appeared to them alive after the third day. This and many other unique miraculous events had been predicted about him in former times by the preaching of prophets that God had sent. Furthermore, there now exists a vast number of Christians who name themselves after him." (Jewish history 18.3.3)

Generally researchers admit that the text does comply with Josephus' style of narration. But would Josephus admit Jesus as being the Messiah ('Christ' in Greek)? Some researchers have speculated that some Christian living in the second or third century modified Josephus' text in this section (amongst others). On the other hand, Josephus considered the Roman Caesar Vespasianus to be a Messiah, as an accomplisher of a task of the gods. Why then not Jesus?

Whatever opinion one has about the authenticity, it is in any case clear that Josephus confirms Jesus as having lived and that he was considered to be the Messiah.

The Roman historian Cornelius Tacitus 

In the year 116 A.D., Tacitus wrote that rumours suggested the Caesar Nero to have been guilty of the burning of Rome in 64 A.D. In contrast, Nero had blamed the fire on Christians, who were consequently banished.

According to Tacitus, the Christians' "name was given to them due to a certain Christ, who the governor Pontius Pilate had sentenced and crucified, during the reign of Tiberius. This dangerous sect, that I have formerly described had not only taken root in Judea, from where it originated, but also in Rome, in which all fearful and shameful things gather and find their home." (Annals 15:44)

The Samaria-born historian Thallus

At Rome, in approximately the year 52 A.D., Thallus wrote down the whole history of the middle east from the Trojan war to his own time. The book of Thallus has not been preserved to the present time, but teachers of the early church quote him. In approximately the year 221 A.D., Julius Africanus wrote thus about the darkness connected with the crucifixion of Jesus:

"In the third part of the Book of History, Thallus explains how the sun became dark - absurdly, as I see it." (Chronography 18:1)

Africanus is right, because the sun becoming dark cannot happen during the time of a full moon, which occurs during the Jewish passover time. Africanus' text proves that pagan writers had tried to explain supernatural events with natural science

Church leader Justinos Martyr

In the year 150 A.D., Justin wrote a letter to the Roman Caesar Antonius Pius defending the Christian faith. According to him, Pontius Pilate's report about Jesus could be found in the empire's archives. From these it was also apparent that Jesus the miracle-worker was crucified (I Apology 35.7-9; 48.3). It is unlikely that Justinos would have tried to deceive the Casear, who had access to the archives.

The Gospels give a reliable testimony about Jesus

The most important source of information about Jesus' life and teachings is the New Testament. Some had claimed that the New Testament's writings would have changed over the passing of centuries. This, however, does not live up to the facts.

Researchers of history have come to the unanimous conclusion the the New Testament is the most reliable piece of ancient literature in terms of identifying the true original text. The reliability of the other most famous pieces of ancient literature is much weaker. For example, Julius Caesar wrote his texts between the years 100 and 44 B.C. Only 10 copies of the original text have been preserved for us. Of these, the earliest copies were written 900 years after the originals.

The New testament was written between the years 50 and 100 A.D. The oldest copy of the original text dates from the year 125. In addition to this, there are over 5000 other copies. The copies differ only in the slightest word forms. Not a single teaching of the Christian faith is in danger based on the possible changing of these word forms.

How did information about Jesus spread before the writing of the New Testament began? After Jesus' death, Christians told about Jesus in word and writing (cp. Luke 1:1-4; 1 Cor 15:3-7). It was usual that the disciples of a Rabbi (religious teacher) learned his teachings as word perfectly as possible, and also recorded them in a written form. This was also done by the disciples, who considered Jesus to be more than a great teacher. They acknowledged, "You are the Christ, the living Son of God." (Matthew 16:16)

The New Testament is full of history: it clearly describes places, people's names and events. In addition, many archaelogical findings have confirmed the existence of New Testament characters. The grave of the high priest Caiaphas, to whom Jesus was brought, has been found. Similarly, the wooden coffin of Jesus' brother Jacob has been found.

Jesus empowered his followers in a special way. He promised that the Holy Spirit would lead them in all truth and would remind them of everything He had spoken about (John 14:26; 16:13). Jesus promised that the apostles would receive more revelation when the Holy Spirit would come to the world (John 16:13-14). Based on this, the apostles considered their own words to be the words of God (1 Cor.2:7-10; Gal. 1:8-9; 2 Pet.3:15-16; Rev.22:18- 19). Therefore John also warns about the judgement of God that will come to those who add or remove anything from the book of revelation (Rev.22:18- 19).