Skeptic · Checklist
Unknown scribe, 4th century · Public domain
The Historical Jesus
Evidence Outside the Bible — What Non-Christian Sources Tell Us
Roman Sources
Tacitus (Annals, ~116 AD) — Roman historian confirming crucifixion under Pontius Pilate
Pliny the Younger (~112 AD) — Roman governor describing Christian worship practices
Suetonius (~120 AD) — Roman historian referencing "Chrestus" disturbances
Jewish Sources
Josephus (Antiquities, ~93 AD) — Jewish historian referencing Jesus, James, and John the Baptist
The Talmud — Rabbinic traditions acknowledging Jesus's existence and execution
Earliest Christian Sources
Pre-Pauline Creed (1 Cor. 15:3-7) — dates to within 3-5 years of crucifixion
Paul's epistles — written 20-30 years after Jesus
James, the brother of Jesus — eyewitness testimony
7 Historical Facts About Jesus That Virtually All Scholars Accept
Jesus existed as a historical person
He was crucified under Pontius Pilate
His followers believed He rose from the dead
The movement spread rapidly despite persecution
Non-Christian sources confirm key Gospel details
The Jesus myth theory is rejected by virtually all historians
Multiple independent sources corroborate the basic narrative
Bring your questions on the historical Jesus to the Scripture Desk →
