Is There Evidence Jesus Really Existed?

Many in our culture wonder if Jesus was even a real person.They find it hard to believe it is possible to prove the existence of a man who lived 2000 years ago. The truth is that those who have studied the historical records, even those who seek to disprove Christianity, do not doubt the historical existence of a man named Jesus.

Two Thousand Years is a Long Time

Two thousand years seems to be a long time, yet we don’t question the historical evidence of several other ancient personalities:

• Cleopatra 69-30 BC
• Julius Caesar 100-44 BC
• Alexander the Great 356-323 BC
• Aristotle 384-322 BC
• Socrates 469-399 BC
• Confucius 551-479 BC

The effect Jesus had on the world greatly surpasses that of anyone else in history.

The Historical Evidence

Below is a partial list of historical sources that prove the existence of a man named Jesus.

Cornelius Tactitus	Tactitus was a Roman historian who wrote the following about Christians in 112 AD, regarding the fire in Rome during Nero’s reign. He lived from 55-120 AD and was known as the "greatest historian of ancient Rome."	"Hence to suppress the rumor, he falsely charged the guilt, and punished with the most exquisite tortures, the persons commonly called Christians, who were hated for their enormities. Christus, the founder of the name, was put to death by Pontius Pilate, procurator of Judea in the reign of Tiberius."
Pliny the Younger	Pliny was an author and administrator who served the governor of Bithynia in Asia Minor around 112 AD	"They (the Christians) were in the habit of meeting on a certain fixed day before it was light, when they sang in alternate verses a hymn 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 word, nor deny a trust when they should be called up onto deliver it up; after which it was their custom to separate, and then reassemble to partake of food – but food of an ordinary and innocent kind." He went on the say that he also, "made them curse Christ, which a genuine Christian cannot be induced to do."
Lucian of Samosata	Lucian was a Greek satirist in the latter half of the second century (~190 AD).	"The Christians, you know, worship a man to this day – the distinguished personage who introduced their novel rites, and was crucified on that account."
Flavius Josephus	Josephus was a Jewish historian who lived from 37 AD to 97 AD. Josephus wrote his major work, the Antiquities, around 90 AD.	"At this time there was a wise man who was called Jesus. His conduct was good and (he) was known to be virtuous. And many people from among the Jews and 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 recounted wonders." - Translation from Professor Schlomo Pines of the Hebrew University in Jerusalem.
Gaius Suetonius Tranquillas	Suetonius was the chief secretary of Emperor Hadrian (AD 177-138) and had access to the imperial records.	First Mention from "The Life of Claudius": "Because the Jews at Rome caused continuous disturbances at the instigation of Chrestus, he expelled them from the city." The word "Chrestus" is a variant spelling of Christ. This event is referred to in Acts 18:2 Second Mention from "The Lives of the Caesars": "After the great fire at Rome… Punishments were also inflicted on the Christians, a sect professing a new and mischievous religious belief."
The Talmud	The Talmud was a collection of Jewish oral tradition that was written down between 70 AD and 200 AD.	"On the eve of the Passover Yeshu (Jesus) was hanged. For forty days before the execution took place, a herald went forth and cried, 'He is going forth to be stoned because he has practiced sorcery and enticed Israel to apostasy. Any one who can say anything in his favour, let him come forward and plead on his behalf.'  But since nothing was brought forward in his favour he was hanged on the eve of the Passover!" Note: The term "hanged" is a variant of "crucified".

• Several other lost documents that mention the existence of Jesus are referred to by different authors. One such lost document is the "Acts of Pontius Pilate" which is said to describe in detail the death of Jesus.
• Many other historical documents exist that talk of the early Christian church.

Summary

Based on the quotes from the texts above we can be certain that:

• Jesus was a man who existed in history.
• He lived in Palestine in the 1st century.
• He was a Jewish teacher.
• He was known to be a wise and virtuous man.
• Many believed he performed healings and exorcisms .
• He was killed by crucifixion on the eve of the Jewish Passover.
• Jewish leadership was involved in His death.
• He was crucified by the Romans under the governorship of Pontius Pilate.
• His disciples remained loyal to Him after His death.
• They reported that He had appeared to them after His death.

Edwin Yamavchi, professor of history at Miami University states that the quantity and quality of the historical evidence of Jesus is superior to that of any other religious leader (Zoroaster, Buddha, or Mohammad).