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Historical evidence
A great deal of archeological evidence proves that Jesus was a real person and that (in a general sense) the things the Bible claims about him are true.
The Talmud
The ancient Babylonian Talmud, in Sanhedrin 43A, refers to Jesus and the fact that he was crucified on the eve of the Passover. The same document scornfully refers to Mary his mother as an "adulteress," proving that the story of the virgin birth was well known.
Historian Flavius Josephus
First-century Jewish historian Flavius Josephus made references to Jesus. The exact wording is hotly contested, but the less favorable Arab version reads:
"At this time there was a wise man who was called Jesus. And his conduct was good, and he was known to be virtuous. And many people from among the Jews and other nations became his disciples. Pilate condemned him to be crucified and to die. And those who had become his disciples did not abandon his discipleship. They reported that he had appeared to them three days after his crucifixion and that he was alive; accordingly, he was perhaps the Messiah concerning whom the prophets recounted wonders."
Although some critics say that other versions of Josephus' writings were altered to favor Christian claims, even this version, accepted as accurate by the most critical historians, proves that the person known as Jesus actually existed.
Ossuary engravings
Many first century Jewish coffins, or "ossuaries" are inscribed with the sign of the cross or the name of Jesus. In 1873, ossuaries were found near Bethany containing the inscribed names of Mary, Martha, and Lazarus, each with the sign of a cross. Mary, Martha, and Lazarus were followers of Jesus described in the Bible. Another was inscribed in Greek, "Jesus, the Redeemer." Still another was inscribed with "Jesus, the LORD (Jehovah)." The ossuary of Matthias (possibly the disciple who replaced Judas) was inscribed "Jesus is [Jehovah]." It would be inconceivable that so many ossuaries would attest to faith in Jesus Christ as God if his claims were mere stories.
Ancient historical references
Many first and second-century historical documents refer to Christians, their belief in Jesus, and their values (honesty, purity, faithfulness). These writers, many of them Roman, also refer to the belief of Christians that Jesus was resurrected and their willingness to die horrible deaths for what they believed. Cornelius Tacitus wrote in AD112 that Nero, to suppress the rumor that he ordered the burning of Rome, and
"falsely charged with the guilt, and punished with the most exquisite tortures, the persons commonly called Christians, who were hated for their claims. Christus, the founder of the name, was put to death by Pontius Pilate, procurator of Judea in the reign of Tiberius..."
Several historians wrote that there was a mysterious total eclipse of the sun--during a full moon--when Jesus was crucified. As many people know, it is impossible for an eclipse of the sun to occur during a full moon, yet this event was supported by more than one writer. This is astonishing evidence that something supernatural took place that day.
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