Why is there no proof of Jesus existence?

Question

There is no first hand proof that Jesus ever existed except from scraps of paper that became the New Testament and they were written at least 175 years after his death. Despite what Christians will claim, not one parchment of New Testament was written at the time of Jesus’ supposed life.

There are tons of records that still exist from that era. Even the records of the Jewish scribe Josephus.

Back in 2002 the world of archeology was excited because an ossuary box was found that was claimed to had once held the bones of Jesus' brother. That would have been the first record that proved Jesus was real. But the box was later proved to be a fake.

So is Jesus just a fictional creation to sell a new form of religion?

Answer 1

You have one or two secular sources but nothing that a historian would regard as compelling evidence never mind solid proof.

Answer 2

the new testament actually is proof. i don't know where you heard that the new testament was actually written 175 years after his death. Matthew wrote one of the gospels and he was Jesus' follower, so he would not have been alive 175 years later. Also, in Josephus' works you see that Jesus did exist because was mentioned and his disciples were mentioned as well. I doubt there is any tangible evidence of Jesus' existence left, especially since he lived so long ago. but there is probably no tangible evidence left of Muhammed or Buddha's life, and i know they existed. why would people base an entire religion off of a man who did not exist? Jesus surely did live.

Answer 3

It is true that nothing was written of Jesus during His life time. But your premise that it was 175 years before anything was written in in error. John wrote his revelation not more than 30 years after the death of his Lord and his gospel soon after that. Josephus before the end of his life also commented about Jesus. In short more was written about Jesus than any man that has ever lived much of it withing a generation from the time of His death and resurrection. I guess some people won't believe unless there is video tape.... Jim

Answer 4

I think there are enough writings of Jesus of Nazareth to say he once existed on this planet. However, given there is no sourcing, no documentation what is available to be seen may not be an accurate picture of what he was like and the events that took place around him. Everyone has bias, and everyone will write with bias so you pretty much take what is written with a grain of salt.

Myself, I'm an agnostic.. I think it's a good bet someone named Jesus of Nazareth walked the earth but as for being divine.. no. Humans aren't divine.

Answer 5

You are the first person I have encountered who doubts the historicity of Jesus. Even people who don't believe in his divinity, do not question that he existed. They may question his miracles. But not his existence. Interesting that you mention Josephus. Here is an excerpt of his writings:“[Ananus the high priest] convened the judges of the Sanhedrin and brought before them a man named James, the brother of Jesus who was called the Christ.” (Jewish Antiquities, XX, 200)
Tacitus, born about 55 C.E. and considered one of the world’s greatest historians, mentioned the Christians in his Annals. In the account about Nero’s blaming the great fire of Rome in 64 C.E. on them, he wrote: “Nero fastened the guilt and inflicted the most exquisite tortures on a class hated for their abominations, called Christians by the populace. 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.” The details of this account match the information regarding the Jesus of the Bible.
After summarizing the references to Jesus Christ and his followers by the historians of the first two centuries, The Encyclopædia Britannica (2002 edition) concludes: “These independent accounts prove that in ancient times even the opponents of Christianity never doubted the historicity of Jesus, which was disputed for the first time and on inadequate grounds at the end of the 18th, during the 19th, and at the beginning of the 20th centuries.”

Answer 6

there is no physical evidence of pontius pilate either. does that mean he didn't order the roman soldiers to do as the temple priests wanted?
regardless of what evidence exists, the earliest know biblical writings are from about 95 a.d. later documents were translations of the greek texts written by paul's scribe.
that still doesn't deny the existance of someone, it only makes it harder to accept as factual and not decided on by later individuals.

Answer 7

The big one I heard of was archeology.There was a tablet.Written by a Roman soldier.He spoke of Jesus raising Lazarus.An there tons of books about the hi stoical Jesus.

Answer 8

What about Tacitus and Hadrian and the Talmud and Josephus, Lucien and Pliny? All ancient non-Christians who were aware of His existence. Oh, and Trajan too.

Answer 9

Oh stop that now! Jesus existance is better documented than just about any other historical figure from the past. Even in ancient Roman documents, the "Christa" is mentioned.
And they say that religious people have been 'brainwashed'.
Who brainwashed you into that idea?

Answer 10

Im guessing your not Christian, maybe you should read some books, because there is proof that Jesus existed, but I'm not going to waste my time because you already have it in your closed minded head that he didnt exist.

Answer 11

Josephus did mention Jesus. Go back and read my friend.