What are some outside sources that back up what the bible says about jesus?

Answer 1

There are extra-biblical texts (texts outside the Bible) that also confirm what is written in scripture. Egyptian sources are primarily from the 2nd millenium BCE. There are 4 types.

1) Expedition journal and topographical lists- example is Thutmose III.
2) Literary papyri-example, Journey of Sinuhe
3) Execration texts- 2 sets (ursing)
4) Coorespondance archives- El Amarna letters

Other Extra Biblical texts include Mesopotamian sources, from Syria the Ebla texts, from Transjordan the Mesha Stele, from Israel the Tel Dan inscription.

Josephus was a very important Jewish historian of the first century. He was a priest, a pharisee, and somewhat egotistical. Most importantly he was NOT A CHRISTIAN. Look into his books "The Antiquities" and the "Testimonium Flavianum".

In Josephus' book "The Antiquities" you will find that he describes how a high priest named Ananias took advantage of the death of the Roman governor Festus-who is also mentioned in the NT- in order to have James killed. This work was completed in A.D. 93 which is approximately 63 years from the time of Jesus' ascension, which is considered very early and thus reliable.
He says, "He convened a meeting of the Sanhedrin and brought before them a man named James, the brother of Jesus, who was called the Christ, and certain others. He accused them of having transgressed the law and delivered them up to be stoned."

The Testimonim Flavianum says this," About this time there lived Jesus, a wise man, if indeed one ought to call him a man. For he was one who wrought surprising feats and was a teacher of such people as accept the truth gladly. He won over many Jews and many of the Greeks. He was the Christ. When Pilate, upon hearing him accused by men of the highest standing among us, had condemned him to be crucified, those who had in the first place come to love him did not give up their affection for him. On the third day he appeared to them restored to life, for the prophets of God had prophesied these and countless other marvelous things about him. And the tribe of Christians, so called after him, has still to this day not disappeared."

Today there's a remarkable consensus among both Jewish and Christian scholars that the passage as a whole is authentic, although there may be some interpolations. The words "if indeed on ought to call him a man", "He was the Christ" and On the third day he appeared to them restored to life" are probably interpolations. Excluding those the first section's phrasing is not normally used of Jesus by Christians so it seems authentic for Josephus. The second section seems to be quite in accord with the vocabulary Josephus uses elsewhere and it's generally considered authentic. And the last part of the passage is unexeptional and considered genuine.

So Josephus does corroborate important information about Jesus: that he was the martyred leader of the church in Jerusalem and that he was a wise teacher who had established a wise and lasting following, despite the fact that he had been crucified under Pilate at the instigation of some of the Jewish leaders.

These references from Josephus are highly significant especially since his accounts of the Jewish War have proved to be very accurate.

Also look at authors like Tacitus, Pliny the Younger, Thallus (quoted by Julius Africanus), and the Talmud.

Answer 2

Some people are going to tell you that the early histoian Josephus mentioned him. It is beleived by those who have made in- depth studies of him that the 3 or 4 sententences about Jesus are a forged insertion. The style doesn't match the author and it makes no sense where it is placed in the narrative. It's called "The Jesus Insertion"

Answer 3

there are texts which mention that their was a man named Jesus who was executed and whose followers still worshiped him as the messiah.

These were written about 60-100 years after Jesus would have died.

At most we can say he probably did live.

Answer 4

There are no unbiased sources containing that type of information.

Okay - let me be clear. There are no objective, unbiased sources to back up the things the bible says about Jesus that are not humanly possible (e.g., raising people from the dead, walking on water, turning water to wine, etc.).

Answer 5

I believe the only source outside of the gospel accounts is in the jewish histories of Flavius Josephus., who mentions him breifly

Answer 6

I tried this one already. The only sources you will get are written ones (obviously written by believers- and thus, untrustworthy).

(after 20 minutes of answering: "told you so")

Answer 7

none ooooooooooooooooooooo watch how many thumbs down i'll be getting