All throughout history, skeptics used to claim that Jesus never rose from the dead, that his disciples stole his body from the tomb, and that his miracles were only parlor tricks. But they never claimed that he didn’t exist. However, claiming that he never existed only became possible recently due to the long period of time that has passed since the first century. In actuality, there is much more evidence for Jesus’ existence than there is for almost any important or any famous person of that time. This part of the blog comes from nonbiblical sources, or nonbiblical evidence. On every account we will stop at each claim to address the typical skeptic questions about each claim. After reading this blog, you will no longer be able to claim that there is no evidence for Jesus’ existence, and on top of that, you will be questioning the integrity of the research of those who told you that there isn’t.
Cornelius Tacitus, who lived from AD 55 to AD 150, was a first- and second-century Roman historian who lived through the reigns of over a half dozen of Roman emperors. He was considered one of the greatest historians of Rome.
Tacitus verified the historical account of Jesus’ execution at the hands of governor Pontius Pilate, who governed Judea from AD 26 to 36, during the reign of Tiberius.
Tacitus writes the following: Christos, the founder of the Christian name, was put to death by Pontius Pilate, pro-creator of Judea and the reign of Tiberius.
It would confirm the following:
- Jesus did exist.
- Jesus was the founder of Christianity.
- Jesus was put to death by Pilate.
- Christians originated in Judea, with Jesus, and that Christianity later spread to Rome.
Skeptic interjection one: Tacitus could have taken his information from Christian sources.
Answer: Because of his position as a professional historian and not as a commentator, it is more likely that Tacitus referenced government records over Christian testimony. It is also possible that Tacitus received some of his information from his friend Infello, secular historian, Pliny The Younger. Yet, even if Tacitus referenced some of Pliny’s sources, it would be out of his character to have done so without critical investigation.
An example of Tacitus criticizing testimony given to him from his dear friend Pliny is found in Annals Fifty-Five: C. Plinii Secundi, Naturalis Histori /E.
Tacitus distinguishes between confirmed and hearsay, accounts almost seventy times in his history. If he felt this account of Jesus was only rumor or folklore, he would have issued his usual disclaimer that this account was unverified, but he did not.
Skeptic interjection two: Could this passage have been in Christian interpellation or forgery?
Answer: Judging by the critical undertones of this passage, it is highly unlikely. Tacitus refers to Christianity as a superstition and an insuppressible mischief. Furthermore, there is not a surviving copy of Tacitus’ annals that does not contain this passage. There is no verifiable evidence of tampering of any kind in this passage.
Skeptic interjection three: Why is this passage not quoted by the early church fathers?
Answer: Due to the condescending nature of Tacitus’ testimony, early Christians worshipped the crucified sage, and authors most likely would not have quoted such a source. Assuming Tacitus’ writings were even available to them. However, our actual answer comes from the context of the passage itself. Nothing in Tacitus’ statement mentions anything that was not already common knowledge among Christians. It simply provides evidence of Jesus’ existence, which is a topic not debated at this point in history.
Sources:
C.Plinii Secundi, Naturalis Histori /E
Lucian, Selected Dialogues
Suetontus, The Twelve Caesars
Flavius Josephus (AD 37-AD 100)
Lucian of Samosata: Lucian was a second-century Greek Satirist, who scornfully describes his views of early Christianity. Though he ridicules the Christians and their Christ, his writings confirmed that Jesus was executed, via crucifixion, and that he was the founder of Christianity. “The Christians, you know, 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 they are converted and deny the gods of Greece, and worship the crucified sage, and live after his laws ...” What this passage reveals, and how it confirms the biblical account, according to the Lucian, Selected Dialogues, are the following:
