Historical Evidence for Jesus Ever Existing?

Question

I'm interested in history not religion. What are some sources that show that Jesus was an actual person? The bible can't really be seen as evidence since it's a collection of teachings and not historical records. Could the bible be used to prove that Adam and Eve actually existed? Of course not so the same should go for all of these religious texts. What are some sources based in reality that such a human being was alive at the time and was executed? Please provide links to plenty of sources that show your evidence. I understand that any point can be debated to be true and false but I want to know what really happened in the past of this planet that shaped history. Thank you.

I exclude only that which is questionable and filled with biases. Also "The Case for Christ" seems to also be biased. The author does not go to historians but goes to religious and Jesus authorities (who use the bible as evidence which it can not be) that have their own point of view as to what is and isn't history. This question isn't to show off. Sources have to be credible.

Answer 1

Though I do not currently have the source, the Romans were meticulous record keepers and have the records of executions. So yes there is a historical record, if I find it I will edit my answer.

Ok, been working, now to a small edit, Tacitus a Roman Historian he wrote the Annals, 115 CE this is a quote translated to English:
"To dispel the rumor,(the rumor that Nero started a fire so he could build a new palace) Nero substituted as culprits, and treated with the most extreme punishments, some people popularly known as Christians, whose disgraceful activities were notorious. The originator of that name, Christus, had been executed when Tiberius was Emperor, by order of the procurator Pontius Pilatus. But the deadly cult, though checked for a time, was now breaking out not only in Judea, the birthplace of this evil, but even throughout Rome, where all the nasty and disgusting ideas from all over the world pour in and find a ready following." Annals 15:44

Answer 2

Tacitus, Roman historian and the son-in-law of Roman Governor Julius Agricola wrote about Jesus, although with little detail.

Another Jew and Roman, Jospehus, wrote about Jesus as well, again with very little detail.

It is seen as evidence that Jesus did exist, and had some movement/following, beyond which most everything we know about Jesus is derived from the Bible.

You should also consider the information within and surrounding the Bible and the Qur'an. It appears as though some information was hidden, or possibly tampered with, which also seems to support the idea that Jesus was in fact a real man--that the Romans would specifically try to hide/change something.

I don't believe there is any evidence that he was actually executed. That is a point the Bible and the Qur'an differ on.

Answer 3

You mention the Romans kept pretty extensive records. Except when the events that happened when they crucified Christ they did their bestest to cover all that up. All the evidence I need was did Romans crucify anybody. Archaeological evidence for ancient crucifixion Despite the fact that the ancient Jewish historian Josephus, as well as other sources, refer to the crucifixion of thousands of people by the Romans, there is only a single archaeological discovery of a crucified body dating back to the Roman Empire around the time of Jesus which was discovered in Jerusalem in 1968. It is not necessarily surprising that there is only one such discovery, because a crucified body was usually left to decay on the cross and therefore would not be preserved. The only reason these archaeological remains were preserved was because family members gave this particular individual a customary burial. The practice seems to stop after Christ. I wonder why. Why are there so many false Christs and do you know how to tell the fakes from the real ones. I do. Christ is for real. Find him today before its too late.

Answer 4

Some historians of that time period were Josephus, Tacitus, and Pliny the Younger. You should be able to find their works (mayby online, but certainly in a library). Although I haven't ready their works, I think Josephus was Jewish but had become a Roman Citizen later in life (name changed to Flavis, I think). Tacitus was Roman by birth (I think). Not sure about citizenship of Pliny the Younger. Probably Roman.

Another great research book you can find at any library would be "The New Evidence That Demands A Verdict" by Josh McDowell. It is laid out in research format, but is certainly geared toward the historical, archeaological, and bibliographical evidences around the history and authenticity of who Jesus was.

Answer 5

Josephus
The Talmud
Pliny the Younger
Tacitus
Suetonius
Thallus
Phlegon
Mara Bar-Serapion
Lucian
Hadrian

The gospel is a valid historical source for the existence of Jesus. Yes it has an agenda to rally belief, yet that shouldn't pre-clude it as a historical information source. Just as the Jews have an agenda in documenting the holocaust and preserving all the historical records of atrocity, so it never happens again, the biblical writers were writing in a time when the events had just happened and would have been asked to recant their writings if they were untrue, by the believing community.

Answer 6

Whew, I just read an extensive essay on how there is no credible proof of Jesus's existence.

Any historical evidence that someone brings to you will have to overcome the obstacles that are found in the source below.

According to this essay, there isn't even a record of the execution of Jesus.

The key to credible historical proof is that there must be independent sources that were written in observation of the person in question. All "historical" evidence (including the Gospels) were written many years after the death of Jesus.

Edit: And the problem is just exacerbated by all these people making these claims, "Yes, it's listed somewhere by some guy. I'll have to look it up." I'm willing to bet those people won't come back with anything substantial.

Although, kudos to one answer that provided a list of names (Josephus, The Talmud, Pliny the Younger, Tacitus, Suetonius, Thallus, Phlegon, Mara Bar-Serapion, Lucian, Hadrian). This is not a simple mindless response. I recognize most of those names from that essay cited below. I don't know if the others are considered credible witnesses from the time of Jesus.

Edit: I just read this quote: "But the fact that they wrote about him at all, proves that he existed." And therefore, we now have the case for Sherlock Holmes. Bravo!

Answer 7

Historians readily use the bible as a record hence the time scale. BC and AD or Before Christ and After Death. It is more accurate than the Shakespeare novels you read in high school. There have even been some Historians who set out to prove the bible wrong through history, but even they themselves became believers after seeing how true it was. i.e. Josh Mcdowel.

Look up Josh Mcdowell on Wikipedia

Answer 8

Hi Jamie, first of all.... I would like to mention to you that although there could be no historical evidence that Jesus existed either this year or 20 years from now.... He will still be the Son of God whether the world likes it or not. Are you telling me that you'd believe in Him as the Son of God if it was documented on paper? I don't really think so b/c it's got to be a spiritual thing. See, that's what seperates us with Christ from others and their Gods. We don't have to believe to have faith... we have faith to believe. NOw, on the topic of facts, sweetheart look around you, you!!!!! Please read the book, "Signature of God". I tend to believe that although you had facts sitting right under your nose... you still wouldn't believe. Time will come when you're are experiencing hard times in your life where the 'other' gods can't come to your rescue..... I dare you then to call on Jesus and then see if He doesn't make a way for you.

Answer 9

Nope, not a shred of contemporary evidence.

As someone mentioned, the Romans were indeed bureacratic, and recorded everything in quintus-dupicate.:-) But no contemporary documents.

People claim birth certifcates, death certificates, execution orders, etc. exist, but they never produce them.

The we get the folks talking about Josephus et al, who was born after Jesus died.

Yes, for such a great and notable person, it is odd that there is no history. It seems even more strange that such an intelligent person didn't write anything down himself.

Answer 10

There is a good reason why so little (there is some) evidence outside of the Bible exists. The Bible is the Word of God. God uses His Word to convict the heart. Only the Spirit of God can do this in a person. So God does not want us to place our trust in man and does not bless the testimony of man. If one believes something based on the testimony of man over God it is not a true saving faith and will not be blessed by God. It is earthly wisdom, not heavenly. God is the source of all truth.