The Historical Jesus
Evidence Outside the Bible — What Non-Christian Sources Tell Us
Roman Sources
Tacitus (Annals, ~116 AD) — Roman historian confirming crucifixion under Pontius Pilate
Pliny the Younger (~112 AD) — Roman governor describing Christian worship practices
Suetonius (~120 AD) — Roman historian referencing "Chrestus" disturbances
Jewish Sources
Josephus (Antiquities, ~93 AD) — Jewish historian referencing Jesus, James, and John the Baptist
The Talmud — Rabbinic traditions acknowledging Jesus's existence and execution
Earliest Christian Sources
Pre-Pauline Creed (1 Cor. 15:3-7) — dates to within 3-5 years of crucifixion
Paul's epistles — written 20-30 years after Jesus
James, the brother of Jesus — eyewitness testimony
7 Historical Facts About Jesus That Virtually All Scholars Accept
Jesus existed as a historical person
He was crucified under Pontius Pilate
His followers believed He rose from the dead
The movement spread rapidly despite persecution
Non-Christian sources confirm key Gospel details
The Jesus myth theory is rejected by virtually all historians
Multiple independent sources corroborate the basic narrative