Any historical evidence of the existence of Jesus Christ?

Question

Did he really exist? Is he only a myth?

Answer 1

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What non-biblical books mention the historical Jesus?

There are some independent, non-biblical books that mention the historical Jesus. Historian Edwin Yamauchi calls attention to the most important reference to Jesus outside the New Testament. This proof comes from Tacitus, a Roman, who wrote that the Christians were responsible for the fire that destroyed Rome in A.D. 64. He believed that Christ had died under extreme execution during the reign of Pontius Pilatus. Yet, he stated that Christ's death briefly checked "a most mischievous superstition," which arose, not only in Judea, but also in Rome. He is bearing indirect testimony to the conviction of the early church that Christ who had been crucified had risen from the grave. This would explain the bizarre occurrence of a rapidly growing religion based on the worship of a man who had been crucified as a criminal. How do you explain that?

Another source of evidence about Jesus is found in the letters of Pliny the Younger to Emperor Trajan. Pliny was the Roman governor of Bithynia in Asia Minor. He asks Emperor Trajan about various ways to conduct legal proceedings against those accused of being Christians. He did some research regarding these Christians and this is what he came up with: They met on a certain fixed day before it was light and sang hymns to Christ, as to a god. Unlike other gods who were worshipped, Christ was a person who had lived on earth. They bound themselves by a solemn oath to not participate in any wicked deeds, and never to commit fraud, theft, adultery, falsify their word, or deny a trust. These early Christians believed he was a real person and they held his teachings in the highest esteem. They also bound themselves to a higher oath to not violate various moral standards which is the source of the ethical teachings of Jesus.

The writings of Josephus points out in his reference called, "Testimonium Flavianum, that "About this time there lived Jesus, a wise man, if indeed one ought to call him a man. For he wrought surprising feats. He was the Christ. When Pilate condemned him to be crucified, those who had come to love him did not give up their affection for him. On the third day he appeared restored to life. And the tribe of Christians has not disappeared." Josephus was not a Christian. Therefore many believe that he could not have written anything such as the above statements. But, even so, we are left with details of a picture which tells us that the "biblical Jesus" and the "historical Jesus" are one and the same.

There is also a collection of Jewish rabbinical writings that give a few clear references to Jesus called the Babylonian Talmud written approximately A.D. 70-500. The most significant reference from this period states, "On the eve of the Passover Yeshu was hanged. For forty days before the execution took place, a herald. . .cried, 'He is going forth to be stoned because he has practiced sorcery and enticed Israel to apostasy.'" The name, Yeshu, is actually the name, Jesus, in Hebrew. However, upon reading the passage, we know for a fact that Jesus was not hanged, but that He was crucified, but the word, "hanged" serves as a synonym for "crucified." And what about the statement that Jesus was to be stoned? This could indicate that the Jewish leaders were planning to do just that, but the Roman Government intervened on those plans.

Another source of writings comes from Lucian of Samosata who was a second century Greek satirist. In one of his writings, he notes as follows: "The Christians…worship a man to this day - the distinguished personage who introduced their novel rites, and was crucified on that account. . . . [It] was impressed on them by their original lawgiver that they are all brothers, from the moment that they are converted, and deny the gods of Greece, and worship the crucified sage, and live after his laws."

We know the man Lucian is writing of, and that man is Jesus. What did Jesus do to arouse such wrath? He taught men are brothers from the moment of conversion which means denying Greek gods, worshipping Jesus, and living according to His teachings.

As we can see, these writings corroborate our knowledge of Jesus from the gospels.

Answer 2

There is a lot of evidence if you want to find it. The New Testament in the Bible is not the only place to look. The best evidence is by following the admonition given in the scriptures. The answer is found when asking the right question of God with a sincere heart, having faith, never doubting that you will receive an answer. Until then, you will always find those that say "yes" and those that say "no." That is what faith is all about.
Did he really exist? Without a doubt! Can I prove it? Only to those who want to believe. Like trying to describe what salt tastes like. You can't know until you've tried it.

Answer 3

We have more evidence that Jesus existed than we do that Alexander the Great existed.

1. Eyewitness evidence: The Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John were written in the first century. That was within the apostle's lifetime and could have been corroborated or criticized by others. By comparison the two earliest biographies of Alexander the Great were written by Arrian and Plutarch more than four hundred years after Alexander's death in 323 B.C.

2. Documentary evidence: We have copies of copies of copies of those early testaments. The fact that they were written in different locations, by different authors, they match each other, and they were written within two generations of the ascension of Christ, helps to corroborate them. By comparison, other ancient texts are separated by centuries. We have Greek manuscripts and copies of early church father's correspondence, sermons, and letters from which we could piece together much of the New Testament.

3. Corroborating evidence (other sources than the Bible): Josephus, who lived in the first century, and who was a Pharisee. He wrote about James, who was Jesus' brother, and Jesus himself. Also, Tacitus the Roman historian mentions Christ and Pontius Pilate.

4. Scientific evidence: Archaeology has verified genealogical claims made by Luke, and the reliability of John and Mark.

Check out "The Case for Christ" by Lee Strobel
http://www.amazon.com/Case-Christ-Journalists-Personal-Investigation/dp/0310209307/sr=8-1/qid=1161055011/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/002-5138636-9664861?ie=UTF8

Answer 4

There's more evidence that Jesus Christ existed than that George Washington did. I recommend "The Case For Christ" by Lee Strobel

Answer 5

There are scholars who argue it both ways, but most agree than Jesus did exist. The gospels and earliest Christian writings are reputedly first person accounts, but were most probably written at least 10-20 years after the crucifixion. It seems probable that the people who wrote the stories down were relating stories they heard from people who actually knew Jesus. Roman sources from as early as 60AD refer to Christians and back to the life of Jesus.

There are no writings about him which date from his lifetime.

Answer 6

The original copies of the bible(OLD TESTAMENT ) exist as the Jewish Torah. The New testament Is in letter form mostly from the 12 disciples. even if they were not found or translated until hundreds of years later.
Yes a person named Jesus did exist. His name is in the list of Rabbis, the Koran and some other religions were he went to study . and the Roman census.

Answer 7

Yes there's plenty of evidence but that doesn't mean anything. Whether Jesus is God or Savior I don't know and I can't prove he is or isnt but I do know the Bible is full of broken promises and false hope. I tried reading the Bible and applying the principals but none of them work. If God really wanted people to be saved he would let each and everyone of us know personally. He did that in both the Tanakh and the New Testament but he chooses not to reveal himself today, if there even is a God which I can't prove either. XIANS claim that if God were to reveal himself today it would take away our free will but that is the most stupid and insane rationalization ever. When god appeared in the Bible it never took anyone's free will away. I have prayed to God and Jesus thousands of times but never received any response. Furthermore God would not use hypocrites and jerks like most Christians are if he wanted to reveal himself, he would do it himself.

Answer 8

A Jewish historian alive during the time of Christ mentions Jesus in his writings.

Josephus...
you can google him and come up with plenty of sources for his work(s)

Answer 9

Yes there is historical evidence, in writings Flavius Josephus , he was a Jewish historian.

Answer 10

No historical evidence. No original copies of the books of the bible exist, and most of it is anonymous hearsay.