Jesus across the religions
Jesus in History
That a Jewish teacher named Jesus lived in first-century Judea and was crucified under Pontius Pilate is affirmed by virtually all historians, including atheist and agnostic scholars. Non-Christian sources such as the Roman historian Tacitus and the Jewish historian Josephus attest it, and the letters of Paul date to within about twenty years of his death. The 'Jesus myth' theory is a fringe position in scholarship. What history can establish, that Jesus lived, taught, and was crucified, is distinct from the theological question of who he was and whether he rose.
What historians can establish
The evidence is unusually good for an ancient figure. The New Testament letters of Paul date to within about twenty years of Jesus’ death and refer to people who knew him. Non-Christian sources attest him too. The Roman historian Tacitus, writing around 116 AD, records that ‘Christus’ suffered the extreme penalty under Pontius Pilate; the Jewish historian Josephus (Antiquities, c. 93 AD) refers to Jesus twice, including as the brother of James.
The agnostic New Testament scholar Bart Ehrman, no friend of Christian apologetics, is blunt that mythicists ‘are not taken seriously by the vast majority of scholars,’ and that ‘virtually all scholars of antiquity agree’ that Jesus was a Jewish teacher crucified under Pontius Pilate. This is not a matter of faith but of ordinary ancient history.
What Christians believe
Christians hold that the Jesus of history is the same Jesus the Gospels proclaim as risen Lord. But they are careful to distinguish what history establishes from what faith confesses. The earliest Christian creed names his death and resurrection together.
Where the positions differ
Here it is history and theology that must be kept apart. That Jesus existed and was crucified is a historical conclusion, granted across faiths and none. Whether he rose from the dead, and who exactly he was, are questions history alone cannot settle; they are theological conclusions that call for their own honest examination. It is worth being clear which kind of claim is which, and then weighing each on its own terms.
Frequently asked questions
- Did Jesus really exist?
- Yes. Virtually all historians, including atheist and agnostic scholars, agree that a Jewish teacher named Jesus lived in first-century Judea and was crucified under Pontius Pilate. The 'Jesus never existed' theory is a fringe position in scholarship.
- What non-Christian sources mention Jesus?
- The Roman historian Tacitus (Annals 15.44) records that 'Christus' was executed under Pontius Pilate; the Jewish historian Josephus refers to Jesus twice. These are early, independent, non-Christian references.
- What is the difference between the historical and theological Jesus?
- History can establish that Jesus lived, taught, and was crucified, a conclusion granted across faiths. Whether he rose from the dead and who he was are theological questions that history alone cannot settle and that deserve their own examination.
Read the Gospel yourself
Do not take anyone’s word for it, including ours. The clearest way to know Jesus is to read his own words and watch what he does, and then decide for yourself who he is.
Read the Gospel of MarkWho is Jesus?Why Jesus?