Extra-biblical Evidences of the Historicity of the Life, Teachings, Miracles, Crucifixion, Resurrection of Jesus Christ

Extra-biblical Evidences of the Historicity of the Life, Teachings, Miracles, Crucifixion, Resurrection of Jesus Christ

The historical accuracy of the New Testament like any other literary text can be proven by subjecting it to three generally accepted tests (literary criticism) for determining historical reliability. Such tests are utilized in literary criticism and the study of historical documents in general. They involve: (1) Bibliographical test (Corroboration from textual transmission). (2) Internal evidence test (Corroboration grom content accuracy). (3) External examina­tions of the text and other evidence. (Chauncey Sanders, An Introduction to Research in English Literary History (New York: MacMillan, 1952), p. 160).

Aside the historically reliable eyewitnesses accounts of the four Evangelist in the first four books of the New Testament call Gospels, there are several extra-biblical evidences of the historical life, teachings, miracles, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Some examples of these historical accounts and their sources are listed below: 

1. Flavius Josephus, a 1st-century Jewish historian, wrote about Jesus in his work "Antiquities of the Jews." He wrote:

"About this time there was a wise man named Jesus, if indeed we should call him a man. For he was one who did surprising deeds and was a teacher of such people as accept the truth gladly. He won over many Jews and many of the Greeks" (18.3.3, NIV).

This passage, known as the Testimonium Flavianum, has some textual issues and scholars debate its authenticity. However, many scholars believe that it is a genuine reference to Jesus by Josephus.

2. Tacitus, a Roman historian of the 2nd century, wrote about the persecution of Christians by Emperor Nero in his work "Annals." He mentioned Jesus by name and his execution by Pilate:

"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" (15.44, NIV).

This passage, known as the Tacitus passage, is widely accepted as a genuine reference to Jesus by Tacitus.

3. Pliny the Younger, a Roman governor of the early 2nd century, wrote to Emperor Trajan about the beliefs and practices of Christians. He mentioned their worship of Christ:

"They [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" (Epistles 10.96, NIV).

This passage provides evidence of the early Christian belief in the divinity of Christ.

4. The Babylonian Talmud, a Jewish text compiled in the 5th century, contains references to Jesus and his crucifixion. For example, it states:

"On the eve of the Passover Yeshu was hanged" (Sanhedrin 43a, Soncino edition).

This passage, while hostile to Jesus and the early Christians, confirms the historical reality of his crucifixion.

These extra-biblical evidences, along with the biblical accounts, provide strong historical support for the life, teachings, miracles, death, resurrection, and post-resurrection appearances of Jesus Christ.

The Jewish historian, Mara Bar-Serapion, wrote a letter to his son in prison in the late 1st or early 2nd century, in which he mentions the execution of Jesus:

"What advantage did the Jews gain from executing their wise King?...After that, the kingdom of the Jews was abolished. God rightly avenged these men...Nor did the wise King die for good; he lived on in the teaching which he had given" (Fragments from Three Inscriptions of a Syriac Grotto, 43, trans. J. Rendel Harris).

This passage confirms the historical reality of Jesus' execution and the enduring impact of his teaching.

6. The Roman historian, Suetonius, wrote about the expulsion of Jews from Rome by Emperor Claudius in the late 1st century, and connected it with a "Chrestus":

"As the Jews were making constant disturbances at the instigation of Chrestus, he [Claudius] expelled them from Rome" (Life of Claudius 25.4, trans. J. C. Rolfe).

While there is debate among scholars about whether the "Chrestus" referred to here is a reference to Christ, the passage provides evidence of early Christian presence and activity in Rome.

7. The Greek satirist Lucian of Samosata, writing in the 2nd century, made reference to Jesus and his followers:

"The Christians, you know, worship a man to this day--the distinguished personage who introduced their novel rites, and was crucified on that account" (The Passing of Peregrinus 11-13, trans. A. M. Harmon).

While Lucian's account is satirical and dismissive of Christianity, it confirms the historical reality of Jesus' crucifixion and the early Christian belief in his divinity.

Interestingly, these extra-biblical evidences, in addition to the biblical accounts, provide a strong historical foundation for the life, teachings, miracles, death, resurrection, and post-resurrection appearances of Jesus Christ.

References

1. Flavius Josephus, "Antiquities of the Jews," 18.3.3.

2. Tacitus, "Annals," 15:44.

3. Pliny the Younger, "Epistles," 10.96.

4. The Babylonian Talmud, "Sanhedrin" 43a.

5. Mara Bar-Serapion, "Fragments from Three Inscriptions of a Syriac Grotto," 43, trans. J. Rendel Harris.

6. Suetonius, "Life of Claudius," 25.4, trans. J. C. Rolfe.

7. Lucian of Samosata, "The Passing of Peregrinus," 11-13, trans. A. M. Harmon.